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THE BASICS · 2 min read

IVF: making sense of the terms.

IVF is a fertility treatment in which eggs and sperm are brought together outside the body, in a laboratory. The process depends on individual assessment and the clinical plan.

More than one stage

Assessment, ovarian stimulation, egg collection, laboratory procedures and embryo transfer are different stages. The order and timing may vary between individual plans.

What does ICSI mean?

ICSI is a laboratory method in which a sperm is injected into an egg. Ask your clinician which method is being suggested and why.

From information to a decision

General information cannot tell you whether treatment is suitable for you or your chances of success. Discuss your options, benefits and risks with your clinician.

A question to take to your appointment

“Could you explain the recommended method and its alternatives in plain language?”

This text is a general information draft prepared with reference to the linked source. It does not carry signed approval from an authorised healthcare professional. Source checked: 16 October 2026. The linked source is in English. HFEA is the UK regulator; country-specific practices should be checked with the local care team. This is Fertivoya’s general information summary, not a clinically approved personal recommendation.