Fertility & IVF: Frequently Asked Questions

If you are under 35 and have not conceived after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse, or over 35 and have not conceived after 6 months, it is a good time to see a fertility specialist. Consult earlier if you have irregular periods, PCOS, endometriosis, previous pelvic surgery, recurrent miscarriages or a known male-factor problem.

No. Male factors contribute to roughly one-third to one-half of infertility cases. That is why we evaluate both partners together, a simple semen analysis for the husband is usually one of the first tests we do.

Success depends mainly on the woman’s age, egg reserve, sperm quality and the cause of infertility. The expected success rate of a single IVF/ICSI cycle is generally in the range of 35 to 40%, and our cumulative success rates are among the best in Chennai. Your doctor will explain your personal chances honestly after reviewing your reports.

We have designed our IVF programme to be affordable without compromising on quality. The cost depends on the treatment you need and the medicines required. Every couple receives a transparent, written estimate before starting. Ask us about our Two Cycle Program (TCP), which lets you undergo a second cycle without paying extra procedural charges.

Most of IVF is done on an out-patient basis. Daily hormone injections cause only mild discomfort. Egg collection is performed under short anaesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure, and embryo transfer is a simple, painless procedure similar to a pap smear.

Yes. Meenakshi Fertility Centre is a unit of Meenakshi Maternity & Children’s Hospital, so your entire journey, fertility treatment, high-risk pregnancy care, delivery and a Level III NICU for your newborn, is available under one roof.

A typical IVF cycle takes about 4 to 6 weeks from the start of stimulation to the pregnancy test. Stimulation usually lasts 10 to 12 days, egg collection and embryo transfer happen within the next 3 to 5 days, and the pregnancy test is done 14 days after transfer.

No. IVF is mostly an out-patient treatment. Egg collection is a short day-care procedure under anaesthesia and you can usually go home a few hours later.

Yes. IVF only helps the egg and sperm meet outside the body. Once the embryo implants, the pregnancy progresses like any other pregnancy and babies born through IVF are as healthy as naturally conceived babies.

Usually one or two good-quality embryos are transferred, depending on your age and embryo quality, to balance the chance of pregnancy with the risk of multiple pregnancy. Surplus embryos can be frozen for future use.

We offer one of the most affordable IVF packages in Chennai. The final cost depends on your treatment protocol and medicines. Every couple receives a transparent estimate before treatment begins, call 044 2821 3134 to know more.

No. IUI feels similar to a routine pelvic examination. It takes only a few minutes, needs no anaesthesia, and you can resume normal activities the same day.

Success per IUI cycle typically ranges from 10 to 20% depending on the woman’s age, cause of infertility and sperm quality. The chances add up over several cycles.

No. You may rest for a few minutes after the procedure, but there is no need for bed rest. Light normal activity is fine.

Yes. At least one healthy, open fallopian tube is needed for IUI, which is why a tubal patency test is advised before starting.

ICSI greatly improves the chance of fertilisation, typically 70 to 80% of injected mature eggs fertilise, but it cannot guarantee it, as egg and sperm quality still matter.

ICSI has been used worldwide for over three decades and the vast majority of babies born through ICSI are healthy. Your doctor will discuss any specific genetic considerations with you.

In many men with azoospermia, sperm can be retrieved directly from the testis or epididymis by a minor procedure and used for ICSI. If no sperm are found, a donor sperm programme is an option.

In most cases the report is available on the same day. Our doctor will explain the findings and suggest the next steps.

Yes, in many cases. Treating infections or varicocele, stopping smoking and alcohol, losing excess weight, avoiding heat exposure and taking prescribed antioxidants can improve sperm parameters over about three months.

Absolutely. Samples are collected in a private room and all results are kept strictly confidential.

Vitrified eggs remain stable in liquid nitrogen for many years without loss of quality. Storage duration is governed by the ART (Regulation) Act and will be explained during counselling.

It depends on your age. Women under 35 are usually advised to freeze around 10 to 15 mature eggs for a reasonable chance of a future pregnancy; more may be needed at an older age.

No. Stimulation uses eggs that would otherwise be lost in that month’s cycle, so it does not cause early menopause or reduce your natural fertility.

Properly frozen sperm can remain viable for many years. Pregnancies have been reported with sperm stored for over 20 years.

We usually recommend two or three samples, depending on sperm quality and the treatment you may need in the future.

With modern vitrification, the large majority of good-quality embryos survive thawing. Survival depends on embryo quality and is discussed with you beforehand.

Yes, frozen embryo transfers give equally good pregnancy rates, and in some groups of women even better results.

No. Only about 40 to 50% of embryos naturally reach the blastocyst stage. Embryos that stop growing in the lab were unlikely to lead to a pregnancy, so extended culture helps avoid transferring them.

For many women, especially those with good embryo numbers, blastocyst transfer gives higher implantation rates per embryo. Your doctor will advise what is best for you.

Yes. The laser is extremely precise and touches only a tiny area of the outer shell, away from the embryo’s cells. It is a well-established technique in IVF laboratories worldwide.

No. Donor programmes are completely anonymous. Neither the donor nor the recipient couple learns the other’s identity.

Yes. Donors are screened for infections, blood group, general health and relevant genetic conditions as per national guidelines before being accepted.

Yes, depending on their size and location. Fibroids inside the uterine cavity and moderate-to-severe endometriosis can affect fertility, and laparoscopic or hysteroscopic surgery can improve the chances of conception.