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The number of natural human births vary by season. Scientists have noted the change in the variations for years. Apart from natural births, the number of births via IVF also increases during the summer season1,2.
This is in sharp contrast to the belief that IVF procedures are less successful during the summer months. Here are 5 facts that will help you avoid the myths surrounding IVF in the summer!
Fact 1: Increased Vitamin D stimulates fertility
Even in India, where most of the summer months are unforgivingly hot and sweaty, the rates of success of IVF remain high. Along with high temperature and humidity, summer also brings an abundance of sunshine. Sunlight helps in the production of vitamin D, which is great for any woman undergoing IVF treatment.
Research shows that women who have sufficient Vit D in their body produce a better quality of ova and high-quality embryos. These are critical factors that can almost double the chances of one's pregnancy following IVF cycles. Similar studies have shown that women who lack sufficient levels of Vit D in their body have higher chances of infertility.
Fact 2: Fewer drugs are necessary for IVF during summer months
Research conducted by the Liverpool Women's Hospital and Countess of Chester Hospital on 2709 women showed that those who underwent their IVF treatment during the summer months required fewer drugs to stimulate ovulation 2. These patients were two-times as likely to become pregnant at the end of one IVF cycle between April and September. Around 20% of the women conceived during the summer months as compared to only 15% of the patients between October and March.
Fact 3: More sunlight produces more melatonin to prime female fertility
Melatonin is a neurohormone that plays an important role in the circadian rhythm. In the summer months, when the days a longer, the body produces more melatonin. According to Dr. Simon Wood, who led the aforementioned study, melatonin also regulates fertility in women. The hormone has been shown to prime the fertility of women apart from determining their sleep-wake cycle.
Melatonin may directly act on the reproductive tissues. It makes increases the fertility of women during the summer months. IVF cycles during the summer months may see more success due to the elevated melatonin levels.
Fact 4: Natural sunlight produces more oestrogen
High oestrogen levels promote ovulation. Increased levels of this hormone can make pregnancy easier for women undergoing IVF. During the spring months, the neurons in the brain produce higher levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH).
Research by Dr Braga et al3 shows that IVF cycles during months of March to September show higher success rates. It may be due to the production of higher levels of 17-β estradiol (main oestrogen produced in pubescent women). Spring-time and summer-time fertilization rates (via IVF) are almost 1.5-times that of winter fertilization rates (via IVF).
Fact 5: Longer daylight hours mean more quality time with your partner
In the northern hemisphere, days are distinctly longer in the summer than they are during the winter. Apart from higher levels of hormones that can aid fertility, you get to spend more quality time with your partner as you undergo fertility treatment and IVF.
Getting quality time is of great importance for your psychological and physiological health. Your health will determine the health of the oocytes and the embryo. Extended daylight can give you the chance to bond, create fond memories, and lean on each other during the IVF cycles irrespective of the outcome.
So, what should you do?
You may be wasting precious time waiting for winter or spring. Although summers can be sweaty and hot, your chances of conceiving through IVF during the summer months are supported by evolutionary pressures and physiological factors.
Moreover, you should always find a reliable doctor and a reputable clinic for your IVF treatments. Do not defer your IVF cycle to find the "perfect season" by waiting for another 6 months especially if you are racing against the biological clock.
FAQs
Spring season- the Best Weather for IVF in India
Which is the best month for IVF in India? ›
According to the latest data of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New-Delhi and many veteran doctors, the best and productive season to do IVF treatment is spring season. As the trees lose their leaves during the spring, the fertilization rate in infertility goes high and upraised.
Which season is good for IVF? ›
The sun rays are the best natural source of vitamin D, which increases the likelihood of the success of IVF. Usually summer is known for the presence of tanning, holidays and long sunshine, but it is also beneficial for pregnancy in the months of May, June, July and August for women suffering from infertility.
Is IVF more successful in the summer? ›
While studies have reported slightly higher success rates during summer compared to other seasons, the difference may be subtle. Factors such as patient demographics, clinic protocols, and underlying fertility issues play pivotal roles in determining the ultimate success of IVF treatment in summer.
Does summer affect embryo transfer? ›
Summary answer: Frozen embryo transfers resulting from oocytes retrieved in summer have 30% increased odds of live birth compared to frozen embryo transfers resulting from oocytes retrieved in autumn, regardless of the season at the time of embryo transfer.
When is the best time of year to do IVF? ›
In 2010, a study published by a Brazilian fertility clinic examined the link between seasons and fertilization rates for IVF cycles where Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) was used to fertilize eggs. The study looked at 1932 women and found that fertilization rates in the springtime were significantly higher.
When is IVF most successful? ›
Women under the age of 35 have the most success, but between the ages of 35 and 37 also have a 40.5% rate of success. Women between the ages of 38 and 40 have a lower success rate at 26t. 4% and over 40 has the lowest success rate at 8.2% according to CDC data.
What is the most fertile season? ›
But the most popular time to conceive a baby in the U.S. is November 25 to December 2, per one study published in Human ReproductionOpens a new window. That matches up with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data suggesting that August and September are among the most popular birth months.
What is good luck for IVF? ›
Lucky Symbols:
Green and yellow represent fertility; wearing sock with these colors on transfer day is a must! They are to keep your feet warm because of the old wives' tale that warm feet equal a warm uterus, add in some extra luck with a shamrock or horseshoe.
What is the best time to take IVF injections? ›
Give your injections (shots) at the same time each day. Late afternoon or evening is best, unless you are told to give in the morning. Give it right away after mixing. You can change the time by no more than 2 hours earlier or later than the time the shot was given the day before if needed.
How to increase IVF success rate?
- Ensure that you are healthy. Your overall state of health greatly improves your chances of having a successful IVF treatment. ...
- Age is a factor. When it comes to IVF, age is certainly not just a number. ...
- Detoxify your system. ...
- Relieve Stress. ...
- Energise your body.
The 10-14 day waiting period between transfer and receiving the pregnancy test results is often described as the most difficult part of the cycle. Having had daily contact with your medical support staff during monitoring and retrieval, you suddenly are on your own after transfer and just have to wait.
Can you be in the sun during IVF? ›
Sunlight exposure improves the success rate of IVF in infertile couples. Also, Vit D helps in preventing pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, small babies, and pregnancy-related hypertension. While in the sunlight one should know that to obtain maximum benefit, sunblock cream should not be applied.
Which month is best for embryo transfer? ›
May is considered one of the best months for IVF in India due to its warm weather conditions and long days, which make it ideal for fertility treatments due to an increase in motile sperm count in males during this period.
Can hot weather affect implantation? ›
In males, it reduces spermatogenic activity, while in females it adversely impacts oogenesis, oocyte maturation, fertilization development and implantation rate.
What should I avoid before IVF transfer? ›
Before an embryo transfer, it's essential to, at the very least, reduce your sugar intake and processed foods, like candy, chips, fast food, and soda. A study done in 2018 showed that highly-processed, sugar-laden foods were associated with a lowered chance of becoming pregnant.
Which city in India is best for IVF? ›
Best IVF Centre in India
- Indira IVF, Mumbai. ...
- Nova IVF, Bangalore. ...
- ART Fertility Clinics, Gurgaon. Gurgaon. ...
- Advance Fertility & Gynecology Centre, New Delhi. New Delhi. ...
- ART Fertility Clinics, New Delhi. New Delhi. ...
- Nova IVF Infertility, New Delhi. New Delhi. ...
- ART Fertility Clinic, Hyderabad. Hyderabad. ...
- Nova IVF, Chennai. Chennai.
In India, IVF is commonly practiced today for infertile couples to enjoy parenthood, the Fertilityworld IVF clinic has the highest success rates of up to 99% in India.
When is the best time to deliver IVF baby? ›
Results of this study suggest that, in pregnancies conceived with infertility treatment, delivery at 39 weeks provided the lowest perinatal risk when comparing risk of delivery at this week of gestation vs the subsequent week of gestation.
Which week is best for IVF delivery? ›
More IVF babies arrive in the 38th week of gestation. Many times, it comes down to the fact that these babies are so precious and as you are monitored through your pregnancy you and your doctor determine the safety pod an early delivery.
