In vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF, is a medical procedure used to assist individuals or couples in achieving pregnancy when they are facing fertility issues. The process involves the combination of an egg and sperm outside of the body, in a laboratory environment, before transferring the resulting embryo into the woman's uterus.
During the IVF procedure, the woman's menstrual cycle is closely monitored and controlled with the help of hormonal medications. When her eggs are mature, they are retrieved from her ovaries using a minor surgical procedure. These eggs are then fertilized with sperm from the partner or a donor. The fertilization can be achieved through two methods: conventional IVF, where the sperm is introduced to the egg and left to fertilize naturally, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is directly injected into the egg. This allows the formation of embryos, which are monitored for a few days to assess their quality and development.
After this assessment, one or more embryos are selected for transfer into the woman's uterus. The remaining embryos can be cryopreserved for future use. If the procedure is successful, the implanted embryo will attach to the uterine lining, leading to pregnancy. IVF may be recommended for various infertility causes, such as fallopian tube damage, male factor infertility, endometriosis, or unexplained infertility.
Although IVF has significantly increased the chances of pregnancy for many couples, it does not guarantee success in every case. The success rates vary depending on various factors, including the age of the woman, the quality of the embryos, and the underlying cause of infertility.
