IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): The Steps and Medicines
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In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Also called IVF, ICSI, assisted reproductive technology, ART · Reviewed

Definition: In vitro fertilization (IVF) joins a woman's egg and a man's sperm in a laboratory dish. "In vitro" means outside the body. MedlinePlus calls it a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The embryos are grown in the lab for a few days, then placed in the uterus or frozen for later use.

The five steps

  1. Stimulation: fertility medicines push the ovaries to grow several eggs instead of one, checked by ultrasound and blood tests.
  2. Egg retrieval: a thin needle guided by ultrasound removes the eggs from the follicles.
  3. Fertilization: eggs and sperm are mixed, or one sperm is injected into each egg (ICSI).
  4. Embryo culture: the embryos grow in the lab for about 5 days.
  5. Embryo transfer: embryos are placed in the uterus 3 to 5 days after retrieval.

Medicines whose labels name an IVF cycle

Roles as each label describes them
MedicineRole in the cycle
Gonal-f, Menopur (FSH, FSH plus LH activity)Grow multiple follicles
Ganirelix, Cetrotide (GnRH antagonists)Prevent an early LH surge so eggs are not released too soon
Ovidrel (hCG)The final trigger for egg maturation
Crinone 8% (progesterone)Progesterone supplementation as part of ART

Clomid's label says it is not recommended for IVF. Menopur lists OHSS in 6.2% of women in its IVF trials, and multiple births are a main warning across these labels.

Why it matters for your log

An IVF cycle can mean several injections a day with exact times, and the trigger shot is timed to the hour. A log with each dose, time and site keeps the schedule straight.

Read more on Dose Track: Female fertility · Does CoQ10 help IVF? · Does DHEA help IVF? · Menopur side effects

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
Ovulation inductionOvulation induction is treatment that aims to make the ovaries release an egg in a woman who does not… GnRH antagonistA GnRH antagonist is a drug that blocks the receptor for gonadotropin-releasing hormone, so LH and FSH… GonadotropinA gonadotropin is a hormone that acts on the ovaries or testes. The NCI says the pituitary gland makes… Ovarian hyperstimulation syndromeOvarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an overreaction of the ovaries to fertility drugs that… InfertilityInfertility describes a couple who cannot get pregnant after 1 year of regular sex without birth control,…

Frequently asked questions

What does in vitro mean?+
Outside the body. In IVF the egg and sperm are joined in a lab dish rather than inside the body.
What is ICSI?+
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a single sperm is injected directly into an egg during the fertilization step of IVF.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus (NIH): In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  2. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: in vitro fertilization
  3. Gonal-f RFF Redi-ject (follitropin alfa) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  4. Menopur (menotropins) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  5. Ganirelix acetate injection US prescribing information, DailyMed
  6. Cetrotide (cetrorelix) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  7. Crinone (progesterone gel) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  8. Clomid (clomiphene citrate) US prescribing information, DailyMed

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