Australian Women Are Being Misled About The Success Rates Of Fertility Treatments

Older women are turning to in vitro fertilization (IVF) in hopes of having a baby. However, for a woman above 40 years old, there is a small likelihood of having a baby through IVF using her fresh eggs, an investigation of the Australian IVF industry has found.

According to Daily Mail, ABC' Four Corners, which conducted the investigation, said that Australia women are not being told the truth about the success rates of IVF. There is said to be a 5.8 percent chance for women aged 41-42. This drops to 2.7 percent at ages 43-44 and further to 1.1 percent if the woman is over 45 already.

How women are being misled about the success rates of IVF - Daily Mail https://t.co/wHBLKQErUP

— Womens Health new (@WomensHealthnew) May 30, 2016

IVF Proliferation in Australia

More and more Australian women over 40 are undergoing fertility treatments, with statistics almost tripling in the last decade, ABC reported. It was noted that there is no age limit in place on government subsidies when it comes to fertility treatments.

Stimulated treatment cycles were reported to be the foremost IVF treatment in Australia. In this type of treatment, there are hormone injections to induce the production of eggs, which are collected, fertilized and implanted in the woman's uterus.

Some Women Undergoing IVF Unnecessarily

An expert has said that not all women undergoing IVF treatments actually need it to be pregnant. "My estimate is probably 40-50 percent of people will get pregnant without IVF, and that is by understanding their fertility window, by tracking their cycle properly, by losing weight and exercise or having ovulation induction," fertility specialist Professor Rob Norman said via news.com.au.

Norman said proper assessment could minimize the number of women turning to IVF treatments. Norman also told ABC that IVF treatments are being commercialized and leading IVF clinic to pursue the use of IVF and gain profit.

Despite the slim chances, should women in their 40s continue undergoing IVF treatments? Share your thoughts below.