In the natural process, 1 or 2 eggs produced each month are released into the abdominal cavity around the middle days of the menstrual cycle in women with regular periods.

The egg, which is captured by the organ called the tube (tuba uterina), meets the sperm coming from the vagina in the tube, and fertilization occurs within the tube. The fertilized egg, which stays here for 4-5 days and is directed toward the uterus, reaches the uterus around the 5th-6th day and implants. Thus, the pregnancy process begins. One or more factors affecting this process lead to infertility.

Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy despite regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for 1 year. Approximately 15% of couples, meaning 1 out of every 6 couples, experience this problem at some point during their reproductive years. The rates related to female and male factors appear to be equal at around 40%. In 10-15% of couples, no clear problem can be identified (idiopathic = unexplained infertility). As with other health problems, the main goal in infertility is to first identify the underlying cause. Therefore, couples are evaluated with certain tests for both women and men.

These tests include;

● Blood tests (hormone analyses; serological tests, etc.)

● Gynecological and ultrasonographic examination performed during the menstrual period.

● Uterine imaging (HSG = Hysterosalpingography)

● Semen analysis (spermiogram) (with or without washing, morphological = visual evaluation)

● Laparoscopy / Hysteroscopy when necessary.

According to these diagnostic methods, and considering the individual conditions of the patient and their partner, it is determined what kind of approach will be followed and whether assisted reproductive techniques will be used.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), also known as test tube baby treatment, is the fertilization of both reproductive cells, meaning both the egg and the sperm, outside the body in a laboratory environment. In the CONVENTIONAL METHOD, which is the classical IVF treatment, the egg cell is left to fertilize by adding a certain number of sperm in the laboratory, whereas in MICROINJECTION treatment, each egg cell is fertilized by injecting a single sperm cell under a microscope.

Many factors that prevent sperm and egg from meeting in the natural process require the use of IVF treatment.

Situations where IVF treatment is necessary;

1-Female-related causes:

● Blocked fallopian tubes

● Ovulation problems (polycystic ovary, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism)

● Decreased ovarian reserve and advanced age

● Endometriosis (chocolate cyst)

2-Male-related causes:

● Problems in sperm count, structure, and motility

● Erectile dysfunction

● Anatomical problems of the genital organs (hypospadias, absence or obstruction of the vas deferens/semen duct, etc.)

●Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (lack of stimulating hormones from the brain)

3- Unexplained (idiopathic) infertility

4- IVF treatment is applied in patients with recurrent pregnancy losses and identified genetic problems in order to select a healthy embryo.

5- IVF treatment is applied to obtain a healthy embryo and a healthy pregnancy in cases where hereditary diseases are present in the mother or father.

6- Genetic analysis (PGD) is performed by identifying healthy embryos after a biopsy is taken from embryos on the 3rd-5th day in genetic laboratories, and then transferring the healthy embryo within 1-2 days.