With this method, the egg is fertilised outside the body (in-vitro). To increase the chances of success of this method, the ovaries are stimulated by hormone injections, which you can administer yourself, to produce several eggs.

Procedure for artificial fertilisation (IVF/ICSI)

The growth of the follicles can be monitored using ultrasound scans and blood tests. Egg retrieval takes place after ovulation has been induced in the clinic under a short anaesthetic (see Fig. 1). The retrieved eggs are then brought together outside the body with the man's sperm in a nutrient solution. The sperm can either fertilise the eggs without further assistance (IVF) or with so-called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The resulting embryos are transferred into the uterine cavity a few days after the puncture.

The chances of success with artificial fertilisation (IVF/ICSI) are around 30%, although these figures can vary depending on age and previous illnesses.

The costs of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF/ICSI) are generally covered at 50% by statutory health insurance if the couple is married and the woman is over 25 and under 40, and the man is also over 25 and under 50.

For privately insured persons, the principle of causation and the individual contract apply.