FAQ-Procedures & treatments - IVF | ICU | ICSI | OI/TI

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body in a laboratory to form embryos. The embryos are then transferred to the woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy. IVF is used for couples with infertility issues or those who have difficulty conceiving through natural means.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility procedure where washed and concentrated sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus. The procedure is performed using a thin catheter inserted through the cervix. IUI is often used to assist couples with mild fertility issues or when the sperm needs assistance in reaching the egg for fertilization.

Fertility preservation, also known as egg freezing, is a procedure where a woman’s eggs are collected, frozen, and stored for future use. The process involves hormone injections to stimulate egg production, followed by egg retrieval through a minor surgical procedure. This allows women to preserve their fertility and have the option of using the frozen eggs later, especially if they want to delay childbearing.

Statistically, women who undergo IVF have multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets) at a higher rate than women who conceive naturally. This happens if they go for a transfer of 2-3 embryos. This complication can be prevented by opting for a single embryo transfer.

In the donor egg or sperm process, individuals or couples use donated eggs or sperm from a healthy donor to achieve pregnancy. Donors undergo thorough medical and genetic screening. For donor eggs, the eggs are retrieved from the donor, fertilized with the partner’s sperm in the laboratory, and then transferred to the recipient’s uterus. For donor sperm, it is directly used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

The success rates of different fertility treatments vary depending on factors like age, overall health, the cause of infertility, and the specific treatment used. Generally, the success rates for intrauterine insemination (IUI) range from 10% to 20% per cycle, while in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates can be around 30% to 40% per cycle, but they may be higher or lower for individual cases. It’s essential to discuss success rates with a fertility specialist to understand how they apply to your unique situation. Also, in IVF, if you have extra embryos frozen, then cumulative pregnancy success rates with one stimulation can reach more than 60% per cycle.