IVF protocols

IVF protocols involve stimulating a woman’s ovaries with medications to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved in a minor outpatient procedure, fertilized with sperm in a lab, and resulting embryos are typically cultured for a few days. The best embryo(s) are selected and transferred into the uterus to achieve pregnancy. Medications such as hormonal supplements may be continued afterward to support implantation. Protocols vary—some involve long-term ovarian suppression, others use a "mild" approach—tailored based on individual factors. Overall, IVF combines hormonal treatments, precise timing, and laboratory techniques to assist with conception.