In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

IVF is recommended for:

  1. Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
  2. Mild or moderate sperm problems
  3. Unexplained infertility
  4. Severe endometriosis
  5. Part of a donor-egg treatment cycle
  6. Part of an ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) cycle
  7. As part of Sperm Recovery (PESA/TESA/MESA cycle)

There are several aims of treatment including:

  1. An increase in the number of eggs produced in a cycle by the administration of drugs called gonadotrophins (i.e.Metrodin, Puregon or Menopur).
  2. The preparation and harvesting of the best quality sperm for insemination.
  3. Fertilisation of the eggs in a laboratory by mixing sperm and eggs in a dish (i.e. bringing them very close together) and therefore by-passing the fallopian tubes where fertilisation would normally take place.
  4. The replacement of 2 or 3 embryos (the first stages of life) in the womb in the hope that one will implant itself in the lining of the womb (endometrium) and begin a pregnancy.
  5. Freezing any spare embryos if possible so that they can be used in later treatment cycles if needed. See section on Embryo Freezing for more information.

Continue to the next section: IVF Treatment