Although the main procedures for the treatments for infertility, in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, concern the woman hoping to get pregnant, both partners are fully involved in the entire operation. The treatment involves several steps:

1 the suppression phase

The natural cycle of ovulation is suppressed, in preparation for the stimulation phase. This can resemble a sort of mini-menopause, with many of the same symptoms.

2 the stimulation phase

Fertility drugs are administered to stimulate the ovaries to produce several egg cells, rather than the single one that would be produced during normal ovulation. During this phase, the patient has to take regular blood and ultrasound tests to monitor the effects of the drugs, which can involve several trips to the clinic.

3 the pick-up

The eggs that have been produced by the ovaries are removed, sometimes under general anaesthetic, and brought together in the lab with the sperm from your partner or donor. The resulting embryos are then allowed to grow;

4 the implantation phase

One or two (and in rare cases three) embryos are placed in the uterus to be allowed to implant and grow.