A Guide to the Benefits and Risks of IVF Treatment

Understanding the Benefits and Risks of IVF A while back, we shared some basic information on in-vitro fertilization or IVF. Today, we are going to probe deeper into this popular solution to infertility with a brief guide so you can understand the benefits and risks of IVF. For many individuals, being a parent is a life-changing experience, but some illnesses and disorders make it difficult for couples to conceive and start raising their families. Thanks to biotechnological advances, we have improved in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help people on their path to parenthood. The abundance of information available online can be confusing and overwhelming for people thinking about this procedure, especially as IVF and its supporting technologies continue to advance. To help, we’ve created this guide that outlines the benefits and risks of IVF treatment and answers your most frequently asked questions about this procedure. What is IVF In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where mature eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. After fertilization, the eggs (now called embryos) are transferred to the uterus one at a time, starting with the embryo with the highest grade. The chances of successful conception using IVF depend on several factors, such as age, sperm quality, and the cause of infertility. Of course, IVF is ideally done with the couple’s own eggs and sperm but for those who are sterile and are unable to produce healthy eggs, donor eggs, sperm or embryos are common options. Like most medical procedures, it comes with pros and cons. Let’s explore the benefits and risks of IVF treatment below. Advantages of IVF IVF can increase patients’ chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. Here are the top advantages of IVF. High Success Rate: IVF uses advanced technology designed to increase the chances of pregnancy. It only requires one sperm cell for each egg, making successful fertilization possible even in severe male infertility cases. IVF has a higher success rate than other treatment options, and this rate is getting higher as technology continues to improve. Timeline Control: IVF gives patients more control over their pregnancy journey. Through cryopreservation, eggs or embryos can be frozen and preserved for future use, allowing you to choose the specific timeline when you’re ready to be pregnant. Increased Chance of Having A Healthy Baby: IVF utilizes preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to determine the genetic viability of embryos, increasing the chances of patients having a healthy baby and safer pregnancy. Risks Associated with IVF While modern advances lead to increased IVF success, it is still essential to be aware of its potential risks before undergoing treatment. Side Effects: Women can experience mild to severe side effects when taking medication and undergoing IVF treatment. These can include nausea, headaches, constipation, mood swings, and hot flashes. IVF can also lead to ectopic pregnancy, multiple births, and a rare complication called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Emotional Stress: IVF is a multi-stage process, which means aspiring individuals and couples must wait to see if the current stage is successful before they can proceed to the next. Some stages may require repetition, which can be emotionally stressful. The time commitment required can also lead to disruption in social activities, work, and time for family. Financial Strain: The cost of a single IVF treatment cycle can range from $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the patient’s individual needs. Most health insurance companies do not cover IVF in their policies. As a result, couples can find themselves financially strained due to the procedure. Frequently Asked Questions About the Benefits and Risks of IVF Now that we’ve reviewed the benefits and risks of IVF treatment let’s answer some of the most common questions about the topic. How Much Is an IVF Procedure? An average IVF cycle can cost up to $30,000—a steep cost even for financially stable couples. Unfortunately, many insurers still do not consider IVF a medical diagnosis and, as such, do not cover expenses related to this procedure. Fortunately, aspiring IVF parents can opt for fertility financing to fund their procedure. Companies like United Credit (UC) act as intermediaries between patients and a network of trusted partners, including experienced physicians, vendors, and competitive lenders. UC helps connect you with fertility financing for egg and sperm freezing, infertility treatment, zygote intrafallopian transfer, vasectomy, vasectomy reversal, and other related procedures. Does IVF Mean I Need to Take Time off Work? The majority of people work full-time while undergoing fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization. What is Infertility? Infertility is a condition usually defined by attempting to get pregnant for more than a year without success. Infertility affects 10-15% of couples in the United States. Treating infertility can be an expensive and emotionally taxing process. However, advancement in assisted reproductive technology means that parenthood is in reach for more couples than ever before, with a range of treatments to increase the chances of a successful live birth. Some popular treatments include in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination. What Will My Insurance Cover and How Do I Get Started? Contact your insurance company to find out what assisted reproduction procedures are covered. Coverage varies from state to state and insurance plan to insurance plan. The best place to get started is by discussing your options with a doctor and deciding which fertility treatment has the best success rates for your situation. Reproductive medicine offers many options to couples facing infertility today. What is Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer? GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer) is a slightly modified version of in vitro fertilization (IVF). With GIFT, fertilization takes place in the body rather than in a laboratory dish. How Many Embryos Should Be Created or Transferred? The recommendation is that the woman harvests multiple eggs to increase chances of a live birth. The number of eggs retrieved is usually 15-20. The embryo transfer process is dependent on the type of IVF being used. Some women who opt for natural IVF will only want to use one egg. Others using traditional IVF

Do Cosmetic Surgery Results Last?

How Long Will the Results of Cosmetic Surgery Last? If you’re contemplating cosmetic surgery, you may wonder how long cosmetic surgery results last. Some cosmetic procedures last a long time, while others require maintenance or regular refreshing. Let’s look at some of the most popular procedures, how long the results typically last, and how you can help maintain your new look with some tips and tricks. 1. Body Contouring  Body contouring can remove excess skin, improve the appearance of the skin’s firmness and remove excess fat. With healthy lifestyle choices, body contouring, including cosmetic procedures like liposuction, can last for years. In some cases, results last up to a decade. Tips/Tricks: Eat a healthy diet. Exercise regularly. Drink lots of water. Get plenty of sleep. 2. Nose Job Does plastic surgery, like nose jobs, last forever? A nose job, or rhinoplasty, is a long-lasting surgery. However, the nose does change and grow as you age. Gravity and natural aging cause the cartilage to break down. This process causes facial areas like the ears and nose to sag more. Some people undergo a later-in-life nose job to return their nose to its former look. Tips/Tricks: Allow yourself to rest for a full recovery after surgery. Sleep on your back rather than in a fetal position. However, it’s important to remember that aging is natural; you can’t avoid it with surgery. 3. Breast Lifts Results vary for breast lifts depending on many patient factors, including the following: Age Genes Habits Diet Exercise Some patients enjoy long-term results, while others choose a refresher surgery after a few years. Like many cosmetic surgery outcomes, you can do a lot to help your new look last longer. Tips/Tricks: Wear a supportive bra. Maintain a steady weight. Avoid the sun. Eat a healthy diet. 4. Breast Implants Breast implants last forever, but you’ll need to replace the filler inside every 10-15 years. The breast tissue around the implant shifts over time, so many women undergo a second surgery after about a decade. If this happens, a breast lift can help correct the placement. So-called “Gummy bear implants” also need replacement after the first decade or two. Tips/Tricks: Follow your physician’s advice during recovery. Get regular, yearly checkups. Perform regular self-checks. Get an MRI 5-6 years after surgery and every 2-3 years after that. 5. Tummy Tucks The results of a tummy tuck surgical procedure depend on the patient. Many patients enjoy lasting, lifelong benefits from their tummy tuck. However, gaining more than 20% of your total body weight may be detrimental. Pregnancy can also reverse the effects of a tummy tuck unless you return to your pre-pregnancy weight and shape. Genetics may affect the lasting results, but lifestyle choices that put health first do help. Tips/Tricks: Rest for a full recovery after surgery. Maintain a steady weight through exercise and diet. Stop smoking. Consider liposuction to help maintain the results. 6. Chin Implants A chin augmentation involving an implant is a permanent procedure and should last a lifetime. Many patients pair other cosmetic procedures, like a neck lift, to achieve a more defined jawline. Body contouring, like liposuction, may also be a part of the plan for a patient’s ideal chin profile and appearance. Depending on how a person ages, there may be a need for a refresher procedure after a few decades. Tips/Tricks: Follow your surgeon’s advice for a full recovery. Avoid weight gain. Stop smoking. Sleep on your back rather than in a fetal position. Get Financing Today How long does plastic surgery last? You can do a lot to ensure the longevity of your cosmetic surgery results. Taking time for a full recovery, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying hydrated helps you get the best results. United Credit offers some of the best plastic surgery financing available. Please click here to learn more about our cosmetic surgery financing programs. United Credit strives to keep the content shared on this blog accurate and up to date. You are urged to consult with business, financial, legal, tax and/or other advisors and/or medical providers with respect to any information presented. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been approved or otherwise endorsed by any financial or medical institution. This content is intended for informational purposes only. Follow us on social: Linkedin-in Facebook-f Instagram Twitter