Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Female-related causes may include ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, uterine abnormalities, and endometriosis. Male-related factors often involve low sperm count, reduced sperm motility, or impaired sperm production. Unexplained infertility refers to cases where no specific cause can be identified despite thorough evaluation of both partners.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology in which a woman’s eggs are fertilized with sperm in a laboratory setting, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. The main steps of the IVF process include:

1. Ovarian stimulation – Hormonal medications are administered to stimulate the development of multiple eggs.

2. Egg retrieval – Mature eggs are collected from the ovaries using a fine needle under ultrasound guidance.

3. Fertilization in the laboratory – Eggs are combined with sperm to form embryos.

4. Embryo transfer – The highest quality embryo(s) are selected and placed into the uterus.

5. Pregnancy test – A pregnancy test is conducted approximately 12 days after the embryo transfer.

IVF is commonly used in cases such as blocked fallopian tubes, poor sperm quality, or unexplained infertility. The success of IVF largely depends on factors such as the couple’s age, general health, and the underlying cause of infertility.