Globally, infertility affects about 1 in 6 people of reproductive age. Are you a couple having trouble conceiving naturally? Are you facing infertility issues and are considering IVF treatment? Many couples are anxious, confused, or discouraged by what they have heard about IVF. A lot of this comes from misinformation from social media and also from family and friends. Infertility is a deeply personal journey and needs the right medical guidance. Understanding the truth about IVF helps couples make informed, confident decisions and approach treatment with realistic expectations.
What Is IVF?
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a medical treatment that helps individuals or couples conceive when natural pregnancy is difficult due to infertility or other issues. Infertility is a condition where you can't get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive. In IVF, eggs are collected from the woman and fertilised with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Once fertilisation occurs, a healthy embryo is carefully placed into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.
IVF is commonly recommended for:
- Blocked and/or damaged fallopian tubes
- Male infertility (Low sperm count or poor sperm motility)
- Ovulation irregularities
- Endometriosis
- Past unsuccessful fertility therapies
Before starting with the IVF procedure, proper fertility testing and diagnosis are essential. This ensures the treatment plan suits the patient’s medical and emotional needs.
Common IVF Myths and Facts
Here are some of the most common IVF-related misconceptions that need to be clarified:
Myth 1: IVF only helps women who are infertile
Fact: The problem of infertility is faced by men and women in equal numbers. In Uganda, it was estimated to affect nearly 40% of male infertility, where IVF is very effective because it incorporates ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) to deal with male infertility.
Myth 2: IVF works at any age
Fact: There is a limitation to what IVF treatment can achieve. Even in natural conception, the younger the woman, the greater the chances of getting pregnant, since the quality of eggs depreciates with increasing age. Although egg donors and modern technology ensure that women beyond the age of 35 get pregnant, the process is not less than a miracle.
Myth 3: IVF Always Results in Twins/Triplets IVF
Fact: Currently, in IVF, there is an aim to carry out single embryo transfers in healthy pregnancies. The occurrence of multiple pregnancies has declined to below 5-7% in IVF procedures.
Myth 4: IVF Babies are Not Healthy
Fact: IVF babies are just as healthy as naturally conceived babies. There are long-term studies available on this to support the claim.
Myth 5: IVF is extremely painful and requires hospitalization
Fact: That is not true. IVF is a day-care procedure and the procedures of egg retrieval and embryo transfer are done under mild sedation. Patients face minimum discomfort and are discharged the same day.
Myth 6: IVF depletes your egg reserve
Fact: That is not true, IVF uses eggs for the procedure that would naturally be lost during a normal menstrual cycle.
Myth 7: Stress causes IVF failure
Fact: While emotional support is important, studies show that everyday stress does not directly reduce IVF success. Families and partners must support patients with all the love and care during treatment.
Myth 8: One failed IVF cycle means it will never work
Fact: Do not lose hope, when it comes to IVF some couples conceive after the second or third cycle. Work closely with your doctor to review each attempt.
What Affects IVF Success?
Several IVF success factors play a role which include:
- Age of the woman
- Egg/sperm quality
- Underlying medical conditions
- Lifestyle factors
- Expertise of fertility specialists
- Quality of laboratory facilities
It should not be forgotten to have discussions about any existing health conditions with your fertility specialist before the procedure. Choosing experienced IVF doctors in Uganda at UMC Victoria Hospitals, which is a multispecialty hospital, can make a great difference to the procedure outcomes.
IVF Treatment at UMC Victoria Hospitals
At UMC Victoria Hospitals, IVF care is designed with compassion, dignity, and clinical excellence. We understand the cultural, emotional, and financial realities faced by families in Uganda.
What Makes IVF Care at UMC Victoria Trusted?
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Comprehensive Fertility Solutions
Treatment for male and female infertility, blocked tubes, endometriosis, and infertility that cannot be explained -
Advanced Techniques
IVF, ICSI, and Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) for better outcomes with high success rates -
Inclusive Care
Support for married couples, single parents, and individuals requiring donor eggs or sperm -
State-of-the-Art Laboratories
Precision-based embryo culture and transfer -
Patient-Centric Approach
Personalized treatment plans, clear counselling, and emotional support throughout the journey
Contact our IVF specialists to leverage advanced methods for preserving your fertility and receive compassionate support throughout your IVF journey. Remove all myths associated with IVF treatments with our team. Reputed among families as one of the best IVF hospitals in Uganda, UMC Victoria Hospital is renowned for providing world-class IVF care using ethical practices, transparent communication, and an experienced fertility team.
