In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a procedure that is often used to help an infertile couple become pregnant. Using eggs that have been extracted from the woman, doctors combine these with sperm collected from the man and wait for the egg to be fertilized. Once fertilization occurs, the embryo is placed in the womans uterus in hopes that it will attach and a successful pregnancy will ensue. While IVF enjoys a modest success rate, there are some patients that are better suited for it than others. Here are the best candidates for in vitro fertilization.

Women Under 35
In vitro fertilization is most successful in women who are younger than 35. These women have a 30 to 35 percent success rate (i.e., the procedure results in a live birth). In women over 35, their fertility has naturally already begun to decline, making them less likely to become pregnant and give birth.

Women with Fallopian Tube Disorders
The IVF procedure was originally developed for women who had fallopian tube disorders, such as blocked or missing tubes. Because the fallopian tube is the natural path used by sperm to reach the egg, women with tube disorders have extreme difficulty getting pregnant. In vitro fertilization bypasses this whole process and directly joins the egg and sperm.

Men with Bad Sperm
With this procedure, sperm can be injected directly into the egg, practically ensuring fertilization. Men with low sperm counts or bad sperm, for example, can benefit from this, as they dont have to worry about their sperm not reaching the egg or being able to penetrate it.

Couples Who Havent Had Success with Other Fertility Treatments
For couples who havent become pregnant with other fertility drugs or who have unexplained fertility issues are also good candidates for IVF because it involves directly placing an embryo, or embryos, into the uterus.

If you suffer from infertility and are considering in vitro fertilization, talk to your doctor. He or she will be able to provide more information and, based on your unique circumstances and medical history, will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for the procedure.