IVF treatment is the most commonly preferred assisted reproduction technique for the couples who cannot have children by natural means.1 The vast majority of the basic stages necessary for the formation of pregnancy in IVF treatment (In Vitro Fertilization), are performed outside the body in a laboratory environment, under controlled conditions.
In IVF treatment, hormone therapy is applied to obtain more than one egg from women, and maturing egg cells are harvested. Sperm and egg cells taken from the couple are brought together in a laboratory environment. The resulting embryos are transferred directly to the uterus or are frozen, to wait for the appropriate time for treatment. The fertilization, which under normal conditions occurs in the female body as a result of sexual intercourse, is thus transferred to the laboratory environment.2
In IVF treatment, while the egg cells taken from the woman and the sperm cells taken from the men can combine and form the embryo without any intervention, in some cases, the best quality sperm must be injected into the egg by microinjection method for the formation of the embryo. This method, which is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), is often preferred for the couples with male induced infertility problems.
IVF treatment can be applied in many cases of infertility. One of the most important reasons why this treatment is preferred at such a high rates is that it can give results in cases of infertility caused by both men and women, or in the case of infertility whose cause cannot be determined.
The wide scope of the treatment and the fact that it can be a solution to many different causes of infertility increases the importance of the answers to the queston “Who can have IVF treatment?".
Before going into details about who can be treated with IVF and in what cases, it is necessary to know the process of pregnancy in order to better understand the function of the treatment.
The formation of pregnancy by natural means is an extremely complicated process. The most basic condition of pregnancy is that healthy and high quality egg cells and quality sperm cells can come together and embryo formation occurs as a result of this union. Many different elements are effective behind these outlined stages.
Under normal conditions, one egg is lost from the egg reserves of women every month and begins to progress through the female reproductive system, maturing for the formation of pregnancy. Although ovulation is one of the basic conditions of pregnancy, the released egg cell must proceed through the fallopian Tubes. Structural disorders or blockages in one or both fallopian tubes can stop the progression of the egg. Even if sperms can reach the region and fertilization takes place, pregnancy cannot develop properly.
Another indispensable requirement of pregnancy is that the sperms that come out of the male body with semen during ejaculation must progress towards the egg. For this progress, spermatozoa must be in sufficient numbers and ideally shaped. It is important that they can move forward at the ideal speed. Sperm that manage to reach the uterus should be pulled towards the fallopian tubes by contractions that occur in the uterus.
After ovulation occurs, the egg cell must be fertilized within a 12 - 24-hour period. Fertilization usually occurs in the large part of the tube, called the ampullary - isthmic connection. When sperm enters the egg cell, cellular division begins. A single-celled formation called a zygote turns into an embryo by mitotic division. The embryo continues to move towards the uterus.
Around 5-6 days after the fertilization, the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage and begins to settle in the uterus. Implantation bleeding, also known as settlement bleeding, can occur during the implantation of the embryo into the uterus. This process is controlled via hormones.3
A problem experienced at any of these stages can prevent the occurrence of pregnancy by natural means. Many reasons such as not being able to determine the time of sexual intercourse correctly, ovulation not occurring, fallopian tubes being blocked, and the embryo not being able to attach to the uterus can cause infertility.
Many reasons that prevent the occurrence of pregnancy by natural means may require resorting to IVF treatment.
Based on all this information, the following cases are good candidates for IVF treatment:
In case of diagnosis of infertility whose cause cannot be determined, in case of recurrent miscarriages and if one or both couples posses a genetic disorder, IVF treatment can be considered.5
IVF treatment can also be performed if one of the couples will undergo cancer treatment. Radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy can lead to infertility for both men and women. In this case, sperm freezing, egg freezing, ovarian tissue freezing or embryo freezing treatments may be performed.
1 https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/ivf
2 https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf/
3 https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/conception-how-it-works
4 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/
5 https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716
The stages of IVF treatment may vary depending on the individual patient or couple. Generally, in IVF treatment, the ovaries are stimulated with medication, the mature eggs are retrieved, and fertilization with sperm cells is achieved in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryos are monitored, and the most suitable embryo is transferred into the uterus.
A woman’s age, ovulation pattern, ovarian reserve, condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes, history of endometriosis, hormonal issues, and overall health are taken into account in fertility evaluations. Male factors should also be considered as part of the infertility evaluation process.
The goal of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is to stimulate the follicles that are likely to develop that month using medication. The treatment does not completely deplete the ovarian reserve. The ovarian reserve is assessed using markers such as AMH and antral follicle count.
No. Not every retrieved egg may be mature, not every mature egg may be fertilized, and not every fertilized egg may develop into an embryo suitable for transfer. For this reason, the IVF process is evaluated in conjunction with laboratory monitoring.
Yes. A woman’s age is one of the most important factors affecting fertility and IVF success. As a woman ages, both the number and quality of her eggs may decline. This can affect the response to treatment and the chances of pregnancy.
When searching for an IVF specialist in Izmir, you can consult a specialist in the fields of gynecology, obstetrics, and IVF. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Funda Göde is one of the physicians in Izmir who sees patients for IVF treatment and infertility evaluations.
IVF costs in Izmir may vary depending on the initial evaluation, tests, medication protocol, egg retrieval procedure, laboratory procedures, embryo monitoring, transfer plan, and, if necessary, the embryo freezing process. For this reason, IVF treatment costs are finalized following a personal evaluation.
Prior to treatment, the menstrual cycle, ovulation status, ovarian reserve, structure of the uterus and fallopian tubes, sperm analysis, and medical history are evaluated. The specific tests required are determined based on the patient’s age, duration of infertility, history of previous treatments, and findings from the physical examination.
Before beginning the IVF treatment process in Izmir, it is important to conduct a detailed evaluation of the couple’s medical condition. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Funda Göde offers her patients a scientifically grounded approach regarding the investigation of infertility causes, the explanation of treatment options, and personalized IVF planning. To obtain detailed information about IVF treatment, you can contact the clinic to schedule an initial consultation.
Note: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. A physician evaluation is required for personal diagnosis and treatment planning.
