Beyond 150 injections: Anushka Ranjan's IVF story reveals its deeper emotional toll

"I took almost 150 injections."

That is the number of injections actor and model Anushka Ranjan said she took during her IVF (In vitro fertilisation) journey.

“I used to get very scared. There was one injection that was very thick and oil-based. Whenever he (Aditya Seal) used to give it to me, I used to cry... I used to cry in pain. I used to see him walking towards me with another injection, and I was like, 'Bas, I can't deal with this anymore,'” she said.

It sounds painful, exhausting, almost impossible. But it also raises a bigger question: What does IVF really demand from those who go through it, and why is it so tiring?

Her story is not a one-off.

From Isha Ambani, Preity Zinta, Farah Khan opening up about IVF and surrogacy to Priyanka Chopra and Upasana Kamineni Konidela discussing egg freezing, more celebrities are making fertility conversations normal.

But behind every headline is a deeply personal medical journey—one that millions of couples navigate quietly, often with little understanding or support. While the stigma around infertility has reduced slightly, it hasn't disappeared. And amid all the conversations, fertility specialists say the bigger issue isn't the injections, it's the emotional weight of infertility, the realities of IVF, and the misconceptions surrounding it.

Rise in infertility

According to Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, former President IVF Society of India, Consultant Gynaecologist and Infertility Specialist at Lilavati, Hinduja, HN Reliance Hospitals, Mumbai, India lacks comprehensive national data on infertility, but doctors estimate that the numbers mirror global trends.

"The World Health Organization estimates that 17.6 per cent of couples experience infertility. Since rates are fairly similar across developed and developing countries, I would estimate that 17–20 per cent of couples in India face infertility as well."

Having practised for over 35 years, Dr Pai says she has seen infertility cases rise in clinics. "Women's ovarian reserve has declined over the years, and we are also seeing a significant drop in male fertility, particularly sperm counts."

Dr Vedika Bali, Consultant at Birla Fertility & IVF Centre, Lajpat Nagar, attributes the rise to later marriages, delayed pregnancies, chronic stress, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyles, and conditions such as PCOS, thyroid disorders and diabetes. Pollution, along with chemicals found in plastics and pesticides, may also be contributing to declining egg and sperm quality.

"Male-factor infertility contributes to nearly half of all cases, yet men are still far less likely to get evaluated." However, growing awareness is also playing a role, as more couples are coming forward earlier.

But one common thread across these IVF stories is how exhausting the journey can be—and how much strength and resilience it demands.

So, why is IVF exhausting?

150 injections sound overwhelming, but they aren't necessarily unusual.

According to experts, some people are more sensitive to injections, while others find them relatively manageable. "If someone has undergone 150 injections, it usually means they have gone through multiple IVF cycles, not that a single IVF cycle requires 150 injections," says Dr Pai.

"A typical IVF cycle involves about 10–11 stimulation injections. If injectable antagonists are used instead of oral medication, that adds around five more. After egg retrieval, progesterone can be given through tablets, vaginal medication or injections. Overall, depending on the treatment protocol, one IVF cycle may involve around 20 injections or more," Dr Pai explains, emphasising that the number can vary depending on the case and treatment plan.

There's the physical pain and mounting financial stress. That we know. But according to experts, while people talk about the emotional pressure, they still underestimate the intensity and that's a major struggle.

The emotional burden is not limited to stress or hormonal changes. It's the expectation, anticipation and everything in between that comes with every IVF cycle.

The unexplained infertility

Now this is the part that feels unfair.

You do everything right. Your reports look normal. And yet you fail to conceive. The disappointment can be impossible to make sense of and when the expert suggests IVF as the next step, that's when the emotional spiral begins.

"Kya mujh mein koi kami hai?"

Ranjan accepted that despite being open-minded, the thought that there is something wrong with your body doesn't escape you. It crosses your mind, even if only for a split second.

It's common in IVF for semen analysis, hormone levels and uterine imaging to appear normal, yet conception still seems nowhere close. Even experts don't always have an answer. According to them, there are several "unknowns" because medicine still can't explain every step of reproduction. If it could, IVF would have a 100 per cent success rate.

"Most couples assume they will have children naturally. When pregnancy doesn't happen, they consult a doctor and suddenly discover they have a medical problem. For a healthy young man who exercises regularly and appears perfectly fit, learning that he has an extremely low sperm count can be a huge emotional shock. Similarly, when a woman learns that her tubes are blocked or that she may never conceive naturally, it can be devastating," Dr Pai explains.

With every IVF cycle comes hope.

Then begins the wait. A limbo between embryo transfer and the pregnancy test, where every day feels longer than the last. And when a cycle doesn't succeed, the grief is unexplainable.

"Every scan and every number—follicle count, fertilisation rate, embryo grade—carries weight. As a couple, the strain shows up differently for each partner. One may cope by researching everything; the other may withdraw. Conversations start revolving entirely around treatment, and the cost adds pressure too," Dr Bali adds.

And for Dr Bali, one of the biggest struggles is isolation.

"Unless you've been through it, it's hard to understand what couples are carrying. People also underestimate the emotional preparation needed. They research the medical side thoroughly but skip the psychological part, which matters just as much."

Not everyone has family support, and IVF still remains something many people keep under wraps. After all the uncertainty, doctors say there are a few things they wish more people knew before beginning the journey.

What doctors wish people knew sooner

First, infertility is a disease that deserves timely treatment. And while IVF can improve the chances of conception, it isn't magic—it's science.

Then there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Dr Bali says, "Don't benchmark yourself against social media. Viral IVF stories—150 injections, repeated failures, dramatic successes—aren't typical, and comparing yourself to them only adds unnecessary pressure. Come in early. If you're under 35, see a specialist after a year of trying. If you're over 35, seek help after six months."

Dr Pai is in agreement about self-awareness and taking proactive steps towards fertility.

"The biological clock doesn't slow down simply because society has changed. That's why people should either plan their families accordingly or consider preserving their fertility through egg or embryo freezing."

And IVF doesn't affect just one person, it reshapes relationships too.

The invisible labour of a partner

Dr Bali also highlights one aspect that often misses the spotlight.

"We talk a lot about what the woman's body goes through, and rightly so. There is no taking away from that. But almost nobody asks how the husband is doing. He's watching his partner go through pain he can't take away, managing appointments and finances, often putting on a brave face at work the same morning his wife had an egg retrieval. Indian men aren't given the language or permission to say, 'This is hard for me too.'"

Even Ranjan has spoken about the unwavering support of her husband and family, acknowledging that the IVF journey was just as emotionally taxing for her husband.

And despite growing awareness, there is still hesitation. That's exactly why every such story matters. They are important reminders that IVF is normal, that it's okay to grieve, and equally okay to celebrate small wins.