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What is in vitro fertilization?
IVF involves taking eggs from the woman, fertilizing them in the laboratory with her
partner's sperm and transferring the resulting embryos back to her uterus 2-6 (usually
2 or 3) days later.
The first IVF baby in the world was born in July of 1978 in England. Today, many
thousands of children are born annually as a result of this technique.
Who should be treated with in vitro fertilization?
In vitro fertilization can be used as an effective treatment for infertility of all
causes except for women with infertility caused by an anatomic problem with the uterus,
such as severe intrauterine adhesions.
It is generally used in couples who have failed to conceive after at least one year of
trying who also have one or more of the following:
1. Blocked fallopian tubes or pelvic adhesions with distorted pelvic anatomy. Women
that have had tubal ligation and are considering tubal reversal surgery as well as men
that are considering vasectomy reversal surgery might also consider IVF.
2. Severe male factor infertility (low sperm count or low motility)
3. Failed 2-6 cycles of ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination
4. Advanced female age - over 38
5. Reduced ovarian reserve, which means lower quality (and quantity) eggs. A day 3 FSH
and estradiol test is used as a general screening test for egg quality. Poor egg quality
is usually treated with either IVF, or with IVF using egg donation from another woman.
6. Severe endometriosis
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