IN VITRO FERTILISATION (IVF)
IVF or in vitro fertilization is a medically assisted fertilization (MAR) procedure that takes place outside the body. The procedure can take several weeks – depending on the protocol used to stimulate the ovaries and on the woman’s response to the drugs used. It consists of the following steps:
- stimulation of the ovaries with drugs (to produce more oocytes or follicles)
- monitoring the growth and development of follicles
- egg retrieval (puncture)
- obtaining a semen sample
- union of egg cells with sperm cells (to enable fertilization)
- embryo cultivation (2-5 days)
- transfer of one or more embryos into the uterus
Indications for treatment of infertility with IVF:
- inability to conceive for more than a year (despite regular unprotected sex)
- ovulation disorders or menstrual cycle disorders (e.g. PCOS)
- obstructed or absent fallopian tubes
- male factor infertility (in cases of severe male infertility, donated sperm is used)
- failure with ovulation induction drugs (e.g. letrozole, clomiphene)
- failure with other fertility treatments such as IUI
- (premature) ovarian failure – a procedure with a donated egg cell
- other causes of infertility for which treatment is not successful (unexplained infertility)
- advanced or a woman’s late reproductive age, where the timing of conception is critical and the success rate of other therapies is generally low
Success Rate:
The success rate of IVF procedures can vary. Many factors affect the possibility of conception. On average, there is a 35 % chance of conception and a 28% chance of a live birth with each IVF procedure. The younger a woman is, the healthier and better quality her eggs are and the greater the chances of success.
It is important to note that women under the age of 35 can also experience failure in the first IVF procedure. A Swedish study found that women who undergo 3 IVF procedures have a 66 % chance of conceiving. So more IVF procedures can also mean a higher chance of success.
When is the time for IVF-ICSI?
Despite the fact that the success rate of IVF increases with the number of performed procedures, in case of unsuccessful IVF procedures (unsuccessful fertilization or too low fertilization rate of oocytes), it is necessary to decide to perform the ICSI procedure.