As National Infertility Awareness Week takes center stage, it’s crucial to acknowledge the growing evolution in reproductive choices. Today’s individuals and couples are increasingly empowered to decide how and when to start their families. Advances in reproductive technology, coupled with changing social dynamics, have shifted the fertility landscape. More couples are taking charge of their fertility journey, not only to address infertility but also to delay parenthood, preserve fertility, and minimize genetic risks—all on their own terms.
Dr. Manjunath, Deputy Medical Director at Birla Fertility and IVF in Bangalore, highlights the impact of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), saying, “Since its clinical debut in 1978, IVF has transformed human reproduction. Initially designed to help infertile couples, IVF is now used for a variety of reasons, such as preventing genetic disorders, preserving fertility, and managing career and socioeconomic factors.”
What is Proactive IVF?
Proactive IVF refers to a planned fertility treatment approach, where couples without infertility issues use IVF to delay parenthood. This method aims to preserve fertility potential, allowing individuals to take control of their future reproductive plans.
In Europe, IVF now accounts for about 5–6% of all newborns, and this trend is being observed globally. Changing social patterns, such as delayed marriage and postponed pregnancies—often due to greater educational and career opportunities for women—have led to lower fertility rates. Couples are now opting for fewer children and are keen on having more control over the timing and outcomes of their pregnancies. This is made possible by the increasing availability of IVF centers and reproductive technologies worldwide.
Reducing Genetic Risks with IVF
As more women choose to have children later in life, minimizing the risk of genetic abnormalities becomes a priority. IVF offers a solution through advanced screening methods, like Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). This test ensures that only chromosomally normal embryos are selected for transfer, boosting the chances of a healthy pregnancy and reducing the risk of passing on hereditary conditions.
Fertility Preservation: A New Choice for Women
IVF also opens doors for fertility preservation, allowing women to freeze their eggs at a younger age. This gives them the option to conceive later in life—often in their late 30s or early 40s—with a higher chance of success. Fertility preservation is a powerful tool for women who want to delay pregnancy without sacrificing their fertility potential.
IVF: Safer, Simpler, and More Accessible
Recent advancements in IVF have made the process more patient-friendly. With improved hormonal injections and simpler protocols, many women can now administer their own injections under medical guidance. Additionally, egg retrieval and embryo transfer procedures have been streamlined, offering a smoother and more accessible IVF journey.
As IVF continues to grow in popularity, experts predict it could account for 10–12% of births globally in the near future. With this rapid expansion, both public institutions and regulatory bodies must adapt by creating ethical guidelines to address the growing use of IVF beyond traditional infertility treatments. As reproductive medicine continues to evolve, IVF remains a cornerstone of both scientific innovation and societal change.
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