Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
In vitro fertilization overview
Introduction
Overview
Overview
In vitro fertilization(IVF) is a technique in which egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside the woman’s womb, in vitro. IVF is a major treatment of infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed. The process involves controlling the ovulatory process with hormones, removing ova (eggs) from the woman’s ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them in a fluid medium. The fertilized egg (zygote) is then transferred to the patient’s uterus with the intent to establish a successful pregnancy.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]