What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and When Is It Recommended?

How Does IVF Work?

IVF is a procedure in which fertilization does not occur inside the body but in a specialized laboratory. Mature eggs are retrieved directly from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm under controlled conditions. Once the embryo is formed, it is transferred to the uterus with the goal of achieving a successful implantation.

What Genetic Materials Can Be Used?

This treatment can be carried out using the eggs and sperm of the couple, but it may also involve donors. This is especially useful in cases of ovarian failure, severely impaired sperm quality, absence of a partner, or shared motherhood projects between women.

When Is IVF Recommended?

IVF is often recommended in a variety of clinical scenarios. One of the most common is when a woman has undergone tubal ligation or has bilateral tubal obstruction. In these situations, the fallopian tubes prevent the natural meeting of the egg and sperm, so fertilization must occur outside the body. It is also recommended in cases of moderate to severe endometriosis, particularly when the ovaries are affected or pelvic adhesions interfere with fertilization or implantation.

IVF in Women of Advanced Maternal Age

Another important group of patients includes women facing infertility related to advanced maternal age. In these cases, ovarian reserve is often diminished, requiring a strategy that provides greater control over timing and embryo quality.

IVF for Severe Male Factor Infertility

IVF is also widely used in cases of severe male infertility—when sperm count is very low, motility is poor, or morphology is significantly abnormal. In such cases, IVF can be combined with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), a complementary technique that enhances the chances of fertilization.

IVF as a Genetic Strategy

There are also situations where IVF is recommended for genetic reasons. If either partner is a carrier of a hereditary condition or there is a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A or PGT-M) can be performed to select healthy embryos before transfer. This provides added safety and reduces the risk of passing genetic disorders to offspring.

When to Move to IVF After Other Treatments

IVF becomes the best option when simpler treatments, such as ovulation induction with timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination, have failed after several attempts. Advancing to IVF in these cases optimizes the process and increases the likelihood of pregnancy per cycle.

How Long Does an IVF Cycle Take?

A typical IVF treatment cycle lasts about two to three weeks. It involves ovarian stimulation with medication, monitoring via ultrasounds and hormone testing, egg retrieval under sedation, laboratory fertilization, embryo culture, and finally, embryo transfer to the uterus. If there are additional embryos, they can be vitrified for future use.

At Baja Fertility Services, we offer a comprehensive and personalized approach. We assess all medical, hormonal, anatomical, and emotional factors before recommending any treatment, including IVF. Our goal is to provide real, safe options backed by science—always prioritizing your well-being.

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REFERENCES

1. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Assisted reproductive technologies: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2021;115(4):858–873.
2. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Guideline: Medically assisted reproduction. 2023.
3. Asociación Mexicana de Medicina de la Reproducción (AMMR). Recomendaciones para el manejo de la infertilidad femenina y masculina. Guía Nacional 2022.
4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Practice Bulletin No. 218: Fertility treatment. Obstet Gynecol. 2021;137(4):e75–e91.