In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Step-by-Step Process
Learn how IVF works to help with fertility issues. This guide covers ovarian stimulation, fertilization, embryo transfer, and more.
Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation
Fertility medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This improves the chances of retrieving healthy eggs for fertilization.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval
The mature eggs are collected via transvaginal ultrasound aspiration, a minor surgical procedure using a needle to access the ovaries through the vaginal wall.
Step 3: Sperm Collection
A sperm sample is obtained from a partner or donor, processed in a lab to isolate the healthiest sperm for use in fertilization.
Step 4: Fertilization
The eggs and sperm are combined in a lab dish. In some cases, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used to inject a single sperm into an egg.
Step 5: Embryo Culture
The fertilized eggs (embryos) are monitored for several days. The best quality embryos are selected for transfer.
Step 6: Embryo Transfer
One or more embryos are transferred into the uterus using a catheter. This step is usually painless and doesn’t require anesthesia.
Step 7: Pregnancy Test
Approximately two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test determines whether implantation has occurred and pregnancy has begun.
IVF Process Step-by-Step | Fertility Treatment Guide 2025PCOS and Infertility: Myths, Facts, and Fertility Tips
PCOS and Infertility: Myths, Facts, and Fertility Tips
Understanding PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovaries, PCOS is often associated with insulin resistance and obesity. It can lead to reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular complications.
Women with PCOS often face fertility challenges due to irregular ovulation. However, with appropriate interventions and lifestyle modifications, the chances of conception can be significantly improved.
Fertility Tips for Women with PCOS
Implementing certain lifestyle changes can enhance fertility in women with PCOS:
Weight Management: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can help regulate hormonal levels and improve ovulatory function.
Stress Reduction: Managing stress through relaxation techniques can prevent hormonal imbalances that affect fertility.
Dietary Adjustments: Adopting a low glycemic index diet can stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance, which is beneficial for ovulation.
Medical Treatments for Ovulation Induction
For women who do not ovulate regularly, several medical treatments can aid in inducing ovulation:
Clomiphene Citrate: A common first-line treatment that stimulates ovulation.
Letrozole: An alternative to Clomiphene, effective in inducing ovulation in many women with PCOS.
Metformin: An insulin-sensitizing agent that can improve ovulatory function, especially in overweight women.
Gonadotropins: Hormonal injections used when other treatments are unsuccessful, requiring close monitoring.
Advanced Fertility Treatments
If ovulation induction medications are ineffective, assisted reproductive technologies may be considered:
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A procedure where sperm is directly placed into the uterus around the time of ovulation.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): An advanced technique involving egg retrieval, fertilization outside the body, and embryo transfer into the uterus.
Conclusion
While PCOS is a common cause of infertility, many women with the condition can conceive with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes. Early intervention and personalized care are key to achieving reproductive goals.
Understanding IVF Failure: Causes and What Can Be Done
Published: June 14, 2025
The breakthrough of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has enabled many couples to conceive, but IVF failure remains a challenge with multiple causes—some obvious, others overlooked.
1. Obesity
Women with a BMI above 35 face lower implantation and pregnancy rates. Though obesity may not directly cause IVF failure, it negatively affects ART success rates.
2. Cigarette Smoke
Both active smoking and secondhand tobacco smoke (STS) exposure negatively impact fertility and IVF outcomes.
3. Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids can hinder implantation when they distort the uterine cavity. Intramural fibroids may also affect outcomes, especially in unexplained IVF failure cases.
4. Uterine Anomalies
Conditions like uterine septum are linked to pregnancy loss and may interfere with fertility, though further research is ongoing.
5. Thyroid Dysfunction
Even mildly elevated TSH levels (>2.5 mIU/L) may lead to lower birth weight and increased miscarriage risk during IVF pregnancies.
6. Psychological Stress
High cortisol (“stress hormone”) levels increase miscarriage risk. Reducing stress can potentially improve ART success rates.
7. Embryo Transfer Technique
While not an independent cause, poor embryo transfer technique can affect success and must be carefully considered after repeated failures.
8. Immune Factors and Thrombophilias
Controversial but increasingly studied, immune and blood clotting disorders may impact IVF outcomes and deserve individualized investigation.
Our Twofold Mission
Reduce the negative impact of modifiable factors through treatment or lifestyle changes.
