IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, brings sperm and eggs together in a laboratory setting outside the woman's body to enable fertilization. Originally performed in small glass test tubes—hence the term 'in vitro'—the fertilized egg or eggs are then transferred to the uterus, supporting a normal pregnancy. For women, treatment starts with medications to stimulate ovulation and produce multiple eggs.
IVF is advised for couples facing infertility challenges, often after trying other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like ovarian stimulation or artificial insemination. It's also a primary option for women over 40, or when men have poor sperm quality (low count or motility). IVF supports egg or sperm donation too. Success rates stand at about 23% per oocyte retrieval and 25% per embryo transfer, with a higher risk of multiples as multiple embryos may be implanted to boost chances.
Similar to artificial insemination, IVF is available to heterosexual couples—married or cohabiting for at least two years—with women under 43 (pending medical approval). In France, Social Security covers 100% of four full IVF cycles, including embryo transfer. Cycles ending earlier don't count toward this limit.
