In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week, it’s important to spotlight the evolving landscape of reproductive choices and the growing empowerment of individuals and couples in deciding how and when they want to start a family. Today’s generation seeks greater autonomy in every aspect of life, including reproduction. With advances in reproductive technology and shifting socio-demographic trends, more couples are exploring options that allow them to take control of their fertility journey. No longer limited to treating infertility alone, these innovations offer solutions that align with modern aspirations such as enabling people to delay parenthood, preserve fertility, and reduce the risk of genetic conditions, while still maintaining the hope and possibility of building a family on their own terms.
“Since its introduction into clinical practise in 1978, IVF has redefined the human ability to procreate. Initially developed to assist infertile couples struggling to have children, IVF is now being embraced for a broader range of purposes. Emerging trends show that couples are using this technology not only to conceive but also to eliminate hereditary genetic disorders, preserve fertility for the future, manage socioeconomic pressures, and balance career goals,” shares Dr Manjunath, Deputy Medical Director at Birla Fertility and IVF, Bangalore.
What is Proactive IVF?
Proactive IVF refers to a planned approach where couples who don’t have infertility prefer fertility treatments like IVF to delay parenthood. This approach aims to preserve and improve future fertility potential.
Currently, IVF accounts for nearly 5–6% of all newborns in Europe, and similar trends are being observed globally. Social patterns such as delayed marriage and postponed pregnancies- largely due to increased educational and career opportunities for women have contributed to lower fertility rates and delayed childbearing. As couples now opt for fewer children, they aim for better control over the timing and outcome of their pregnancies, often seeking a healthy and hassle-free experience. This shift is supported by the increasing availability and accessibility of reproductive technologies and IVF centres around the world.
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Reducing the Risk of Genetic Abnormalities
As more women choose to have children later in life, they also aim to minimise the risk of genetic abnormalities. IVF offers a solution through advanced screening technologies like preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), which helps ensure that only chromosomally normal embryos are selected for transfer. This significantly increases the chances of having a healthy baby and can also help prevent inherited genetic conditions from being passed on.
Preserve Fertility For As Long As You Want
Additionally, IVF combined with fertility preservation methods such as egg freezing empowers women to plan pregnancy on their own timeline without compromising their fertility potential. By freezing their eggs at a younger age, women can return in their late 30s or early 40s to conceive with a higher likelihood of success. This technology gives women the ability to safeguard their fertility even if they choose to postpone pregnancy beyond the age of 35.
Also Read: Legal and Financial Aspects of IVF : What You Need to Know Before Starting
With ongoing advancements and the simplification of IVF protocols including safer, more effective hormonal injections the entire IVF process has become increasingly patient-friendly. In many cases, women can administer injections themselves under medical guidance, and procedures such as egg retrieval and embryo transfer have become more streamlined, making the journey smoother and more accessible.
Final Word
As the use of IVF continues to grow, it may eventually account for 10–12% of births in many parts of the world. In light of this, both public institutions and regulatory bodies must develop ethical frameworks to evaluate the use of this technology beyond traditional infertility treatment. Reproductive medicine, especially IVF, is rapidly expanding into new indications and is poised to remain a cornerstone of both scientific progress and societal change.