Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and essential nutrients like folic acid, vitamin D, and zinc.
Stay physically active but avoid extreme exercise, which can disrupt hormone balance.
Manage stress and sleep well, since both affect fertility and hormone function.
Get regular medical check-ups and screenings for conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or prostate health.
Avoid smoking, excess alcohol, and drugs, which can harm eggs and sperm.
Practice safe sex to prevent infections that may affect fertility.
Know your body, track cycles, watch for changes, and seek medical advice when something feels unusual.
Women are born with all their eggs, while men produce new sperm throughout life.
The human egg is the largest cell in the body, and sperm is the smallest.
The uterus can expand up to 500 times its normal size during pregnancy.
Out of hundreds of millions of sperm released, usually only one fertilizes the egg.
Reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone also affect mood, bones, muscles, and brain health.
IVF may be needed if you’ve been trying to conceive for 6–12 months without success, or if there are conditions such as blocked fallopian tubes, PCOS, endometriosis, severe male infertility, or unexplained infertility. In some cases, simpler treatments like ovulation induction or IUI are tried first. A fertility specialist can help determine the most suitable path.
An IVF cycle usually takes 4–6 weeks. This includes ovarian stimulation with medications, egg retrieval, fertilization in the lab, and embryo transfer. While egg collection and transfer are short procedures, monitoring with scans and blood tests requires regular visits throughout the cycle.
ICSI is typically used when sperm quality is very low, when sperm cannot fertilize the egg naturally, or if previous IVF cycles have failed. It may also be used when sperm is surgically retrieved or frozen. By injecting a single sperm directly into the egg, ICSI helps overcome severe male infertility issues.
Success rates depend on age, egg and sperm quality, and overall health. For women under 35, average success rates per cycle are around 40–50%, decreasing gradually with age. Lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and embryo quality also affect the outcome.
IVF and ICSI are generally safe, but possible risks include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), multiple pregnancies, and minor side effects from medications. Egg retrieval can cause temporary discomfort. With proper monitoring, serious complications are rare.
The overall risk of birth defects after IVF or ICSI is only slightly higher than with natural conception. Most babies born through assisted reproduction are healthy. Parental age and health play a greater role in risks than the procedure itself.
No, IVF is considered safe. The main side effects come from fertility medications, which may cause bloating, mood changes, or mild discomfort. Egg retrieval and embryo transfer are low-risk procedures performed under careful monitoring.
An IVF cycle typically includes:
- Ovarian stimulation with fertility medications
- Egg retrieval under sedation
- Fertilization in the lab (IVF or ICSI)
- Embryo culture for several days
- Embryo transfer to the uterus
The full cycle takes about 4–6 weeks from start to finish.
Complete bed rest is not required. Light daily activities are safe, though it’s best to avoid heavy exercise, lifting, or stressful activity. Embryos naturally implant within the uterus, and normal movement does not affect this process.
This situation is known as unexplained infertility. Even when standard tests look normal, there may be subtle factors affecting conception, such as egg quality, sperm DNA, or embryo development. Many couples with unexplained infertility achieve pregnancy through IVF or ICSI.
Most people describe IVF as uncomfortable rather than painful. Hormone injections can cause mild bruising, and egg retrieval is done under anesthesia so you don’t feel pain. Some women experience cramping afterward, but this is usually short-lived.
Secondary infertility refers to difficulty conceiving after already having one or more children. Causes can include age-related decline in fertility, blocked tubes, hormonal issues, or changes in sperm quality.
It may result from hormonal imbalances, PCOS, endometriosis, uterine changes, reduced ovarian reserve, or male infertility factors. Lifestyle changes, stress, or new medical conditions can also contribute.
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a fertility treatment where prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus during ovulation. It’s often used for mild male infertility, cervical issues, or unexplained infertility.
Family balancing refers to selecting the sex of the baby to achieve a desired family mix. This is usually done through IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which identifies embryo sex along with screening for certain genetic conditions.
There is no fixed limit, but many couples succeed within 3 attempts. Each cycle provides more information that can guide adjustments in treatment. Emotional readiness and medical advice should be considered before repeating cycles.
An IVF cycle usually takes 4–6 weeks. This includes ovarian stimulation with medications, egg retrieval, fertilization in the lab, and embryo transfer. While egg collection and transfer are short procedures, monitoring with scans and blood tests requires regular visits throughout the cycle.
Egg collection is performed under sedation or anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Some women experience mild cramping or bloating afterward, similar to period discomfort, which usually passes within a few days.
Higher sperm count and motility improve chances with natural conception, but for IVF, even lower sperm quality can still work since eggs are fertilized in the lab. For very low counts or motility, ICSI is usually recommended.
Yes. In some cases, sperm can be surgically retrieved from the testes even if none is found in the semen (azoospermia). If sperm retrieval isn’t possible, donor sperm is an option that still allows for successful pregnancy.
Egg freezing involves:
- Taking fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries
- Retrieving eggs under sedation
- Freezing (vitrifying) mature eggs for future use
The process usually takes 10–14 days from the start of stimulation.
For women under 35, success rates are typically 40–50% per cycle. Rates decrease with age but IVF can still work into the early 40s. Success also depends on factors like egg and sperm quality, lifestyle, and any underlying conditions.
- IVF: Eggs and sperm are placed together in the lab so fertilization happens naturally.
- ICSI: A single sperm is directly injected into the egg under a microscope.
ICSI is especially useful when sperm quality is very poor or previous IVF attempts have failed.
If you’ve been trying for over a year without success (or 6 months if over age 35), it’s a good time to consult a fertility specialist. Earlier intervention may be recommended if there are known issues such as blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, or irregular ovulation.