Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 18: As National Infertility Awareness Week approaches from April 19 to 25, experts are urging women to better understand fertility options and separate facts from long-standing myths surrounding egg freezing and IVF.
With increasing conversations around reproductive health, fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg freezing are becoming more mainstream, moving away from stigma and misinformation.
Dr Yash Bahuguna, Consultant Gynaecologist and Hormonal Health expert at Pinky Promise, highlighted several common misconceptions that continue to influence public perception.
One of the most widespread myths is that egg freezing guarantees a future pregnancy. Experts clarify that while it improves chances of conception later in life, success depends on factors such as the age at which eggs are frozen and laboratory processes.
Dr Bahuguna explained that egg freezing is best seen as a form of “biological insurance”, significantly improving outcomes but not guaranteeing pregnancy.
Another misconception is that egg retrieval reduces natural fertility. Doctors clarify that during each cycle, multiple eggs naturally develop but only one is released, while the rest degenerate. Retrieval simply preserves eggs that would otherwise be lost.
Concerns that IVF is “unnatural” also persist. Experts say IVF works in alignment with the body’s natural processes by assisting fertilisation outside the body before embryo transfer into the uterus.
Doctors also emphasise that fertility treatments are no longer limited to “last resort” cases. Increasingly, women are opting for proactive measures such as “social freezing” to align fertility with personal and professional goals.
Another myth is that fertility care is only relevant for older women or those facing medical issues. Experts stress that fertility awareness is important at all stages of life, whether for planning ahead or making informed choices later.
“The first step is not treatment—it is awareness,” Dr Bahuguna said, adding that understanding one’s reproductive health empowers better decision-making.
Experts say the focus should shift from fear and misinformation to informed conversations about reproductive health and available medical options.