Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Fertility

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the most well-known and widely used assisted reproductive technologies (ART) designed to help individuals or couples struggling with infertility. IVF involves the process of fertilizing an egg outside the body, in a laboratory setting. The procedure typically includes several steps:

1. Ovarian stimulation: The woman undergoes hormonal treatment to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs, rather than the single egg that typically develops each month.

2. Egg retrieval (Aspiration): Once the eggs are mature, they are collected from the ovaries through a minor surgical procedure, typically done under sedation.

3. Fertilization: The collected eggs are then fertilized with sperm in the laboratory. In some cases, when male infertility is a concern, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used, where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.

4. Embryo culture: The fertilized eggs (embryos) are cultured for several days (usually 3 to 5 days) to allow them to develop and divide.

5. Embryo transfer: One or more healthy embryos are selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus, where implantation can occur.

6. Pregnancy test: About 10 to 14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test is conducted to determine if the implantation was successful and the woman is pregnant.

IVF is often recommended when other fertility treatments have been unsuccessful or when there are specific medical conditions such as blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, male infertility, or unexplained infertility. It has helped millions of couples achieve pregnancy, and advancements in IVF techniques have improved success rates over the years.