IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

By RRM Academy Reviewed by Dr. Naomi Whittaker, MD, Board-Certified OBGYN, MIGS, NFPMC, FCI Updated May 11, 2026

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology in which oocytes are retrieved from the ovaries following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory culture dish, and the resulting embryo or embryos transferred to the uterus. RRM does not perform IVF. The distinction is not merely procedural. IVF bypasses the reproductive system rather than restoring it: the underlying anatomical, hormonal, and immunologic conditions that prevented conception remain uncorrected after the procedure. RRM's position is that those underlying conditions, in most couples, are diagnosable and treatable. Controlled hyperstimulation routinely produces more embryos than will be transferred in a single cycle. Embryos not transferred may be frozen, donated, used for research, or discarded. Each of those outcomes is a consequential decision, not a logistical one. Known risks include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS),¹ elevated rates of preterm birth and low birthweight compared to spontaneous conception,² and multiple pregnancy when more than one embryo is transferred. Per-cycle live-birth rates decline substantially with advancing maternal age; HFEA registry data show IVF live-birth rates of approximately 22% per embryo transferred for women aged 35-37, falling further at older ages.³ The question RRM asks is different: not how to work around a failing reproductive system, but what is causing it to fail, and whether that cause can be corrected. See IVF vs. RRM: Key Conceptual Distinctions and NaProTECHNOLOGY for the restorative alternative.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.