World IVF Day: Myths vs Facts — What People Still Get Wrong About IVF

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Nearly one in six people of reproductive age worldwide will experience infertility at some point in their lives, according to global health estimates. Yet despite in vitro fertilisation being around for over four decades - since Louise Brown, the world's first "test-tube baby," was born on 25 July 1978 - misconceptions about the procedure remain remarkably persistent, from assumptions that it guarantees a baby to fears that it harms the mother's long-term fertility.

Photo Credit: Canva

We spoke to Dr Anusha Rao P, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, who broke down the most common myths around IVF this World IVF Day and laid out what the evidence actually says.

Myths and Facts About IVF

Myth: IVF guarantees a child is born.

Photo Credit: Canva

Fact: "IVF greatly increases the possibilities, but success is dependent on several factors, including age, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, and embryo health; several rounds may be required," shared Dr Rao.

The numbers back this up. Live birth rates from IVF in India generally range between 40 and 55 per cent per cycle for women under 35, but this falls to roughly 20-30 per cent for those aged 38-40, and below 10-20 per cent past 42, according to data from ICMR-registered fertility centres. Globally, average success per cycle hovers around 40 per cent - encouraging, but far from a guarantee.

Myth: Multiple pregnancies are always the outcome of IVF.

Fact: Single embryo transfer (SET) is common and recommended to reduce risks; twin or higher-order pregnancies are avoidable. This wasn't always the norm - the Indian Council of Medical Research has previously noted that nearly 30 per cent of IVF pregnancies in India resulted in multiple births, largely because more than one embryo was transferred at a time. With SET now increasingly standard at well-equipped clinics, especially for women under 35 with good-quality embryos, that risk has fallen sharply without a matching drop in success rates.

Myth: Birth malformations are caused by IVF.

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Fact: "Careful lab procedures and prenatal care reduce hazards, and extensive research indicates that the health results of IVF-created newborns are comparable to those of normally conceived infants," said Dr Rao.

Research on this has evolved. Some large cohort studies have found a modest increase in certain birth defects among IVF-conceived children compared with those conceived naturally, though researchers note this may partly reflect the underlying causes of infertility rather than the IVF procedure itself.

Myth: IVF is only used by infertile couples.

Fact: Individuals with genetic conditions who opt for preimplantation genetic testing, same-sex couples, and single parents can all benefit from IVF. Fertility preservation for medical reasons, such as before cancer treatment, is another growing use case.

Myth: IVF damages future fertility and is unnatural.

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Fact: When correctly administered, IVF involves controlled stimulation and retrieval without causing long-term damage to the ovaries.

Myth: Benefits are not available to women over 40.

Fact: Donor eggs, embryo freezing, and customised protocols provide solutions, although IVF effectiveness does decrease with age - success rates using a woman's own eggs typically drop to single digits past the mid-40s, largely due to a rise in chromosomally abnormal eggs. Donor egg IVF, by contrast, can maintain live birth rates of 50-65 per cent regardless of the recipient's age.

Myth: Lifestyle is irrelevant.

Fact: "A healthy lifestyle and prompt evaluation boost results; smoking, obesity, unmanaged medical conditions, and excessive stress can lower IVF success," warned Dr Rao. A widely cited Dutch study of over 8,000 women found that smoking reduced live birth rates significantly, an effect the researchers compared to adding roughly a decade to a woman's reproductive age. Similarly, a raised BMI was linked to notably lower delivery rates, reinforcing why fertility specialists routinely recommend addressing weight, smoking, and stress before starting treatment.

Message From The Expert

Dr Rao concluded, "On World IVF Day, informed decisions are empowered by accurate knowledge. For a personalised assessment, reasonable expectations, and a customised treatment plan, speak with a fertility doctor if you're thinking about IVF. Together, we can replace hope with evidence-based care and fear with facts."

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.