Financial & Emotional Toll in IVF: “High Cost, Failed Cycles & IVF as a Scam” Narratives
In recent times, a growing number of women and couples have come forward to share their financial and emotional struggles linked to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments. The narrative around IVF has begun to shift from being a purely hopeful journey to one that also raises questions about ethics, cost transparency, and patient care.
1. The Financial Burden
- The average cost of one IVF cycle in India ranges between ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh, depending on the city and clinic. In some premium fertility centers, it can go up to ₹5–₹8 lakh per cycle — excluding medications, lab tests, and additional procedures (like ICSI or embryo freezing).
- Most women require multiple cycles to achieve a successful pregnancy. Success rates vary between 30%–45% per cycle, depending on age, egg quality, and health conditions.
- This makes IVF an emotionally draining and financially unsustainable option for many middle-class families, who often spend savings, sell assets, or take loans to continue treatments.
Example: Actress Yuvika Chaudhary recently revealed she spent around ₹2.5 lakh on a single failed IVF cycle and called the process a “scam,” alleging that some clinics mislead patients about success rates and unnecessary treatments.
2. Emotional & Mental Health Toll
- Every failed IVF cycle can feel like a personal loss — both physically and emotionally. Women often go through hormonal injections, painful procedures, and weeks of uncertainty, only to face disappointment.
- Repeated failures can lead to depression, anxiety, self-blame, and even relationship strain.
- Many clinics do not offer psychological counseling or emotional support as part of their packages, leaving couples to navigate the mental toll alone.
Studies show that women undergoing IVF experience stress levels similar to those facing chronic illnesses due to repeated cycles, financial stress, and societal expectations of motherhood.
3. Marketing, Misinformation & “IVF Scam” Claims
- Some IVF clinics advertise exaggerated success rates or push couples into unnecessary add-on procedures like “embryo glue,” “laser hatching,” or “genetic testing” — which may not be needed in every case.
- A few unregulated or unlicensed centers exploit patients’ desperation by offering false guarantees of pregnancy or manipulated test results.
- The term “IVF scam” has become a trending social media phrase, reflecting growing frustration and demand for ethical, transparent medical practices.
4. Need for Transparency & Accountability
Experts stress the urgent need for:
- Clear success rate disclosure (based on age and medical profile).
- Transparent pricing and breakdown of all optional services.
- Mandatory psychological counseling before and after cycles.
- Regulatory enforcement of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 to monitor clinics’ credentials and ethical practices.
5. Voices of Hope
Despite the challenges, many couples do eventually achieve success — often after multiple attempts.
Support groups, online forums, and fertility awareness campaigns are helping women share experiences, seek second opinions, and demand ethical treatment.