The most common conditions for which IVF is typically recommended include endometriosis

• Age-related infertility
• Anovulation (failure to ovulate)
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Fallopian tube damage and tubal factors
• Male factor infertility
• Unexplained infertility
• Genetic disorders

For patients who are ‘carriers’ of genetic disease or suffer from random or age-related chromosomal abnormalities that cause recurrent miscarriage or lack of success with IVF treatment, doctors may suggest preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which lets physicians screen embryos prior to implantation.

IVF also suspends the “biological clock” by supporting conception for women in their late 30′s and early 40′s. When used in conjunction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), IVF helps men with severe male factor infertility. When used with donor sperm and donor eggs, IVF allows men and women who would otherwise not have a chance at pregnancy to experience pregnancy, birth, and biological parenthood, including same sex couples and single mothers by choice

Steady medical advancements have also enabled doctors to succeed with the implantation of just one embryo at a time, which decreases the health risks of multiples to both mother and babies.

Roughly three decades after the first IVF baby was born, IVF pioneer Robert Edwards won the 2010 Nobel prize for medicine.