1. In Vitro Fertilization: go to a lab and understand your fertility issues
2. Age of the future mother and her management over time for a successful ivf?
3. In Vitro Fertilization or Artificial Insemination?
4. In vitro fertilization and ethics
5. Shall I opt for an IVF with ICSI option?
6. Do I have to use egg donation?
7. Do I need a sperm donation?
8. How long does an IVF program take?
9. Any options and services that I need to add to the price?
10. How much for an ivf treatment?
As our lifestyles have changed, there has been a veritable explosion in the number of so-called "assisted" hatching since the last 22 years, in most countries. This is not nearly changed because the age of the first child is steadily declining, especially in large cities and our lifestyles increasingly uniform, city dwellers, decline in the age of marriage, all this favors this situation. The desire for a child is there and consciously or not we say that science will help us. If nature has its laws, man has been able to "arrange" so much that in terms of fertility or in vitro fertilization the question is no longer technical but ethical.
Those who can not easily have a baby or those who simply have problems with their aging can use this extraordinary new branch of medicine but must know the contours and ask themselves the right questions before.
What are the main questions in 2025 a couple or a woman should ask before considering IVF?
Obviously, but this must be done for both partners, both men and women. It is only after standard fertility tests and in particular with a correct semen analysis that the diagnosis must be made. These questions also come naturally if after a while - difficult to estimate but sometimes up to twenty months - the couple has not "managed" to have children.
The age of the woman, unlike the man (who can naturally procreate all his life provided he still has “the essential fertility parameters”) is the key factor. Indeed the ideal age for women is under 25 years. This age has obviously become "young" in our current societies, unlike our ancestors. It is at the age of 35 years on average that we witness a real decline in fertility. After 40 years this is then "problematic" according to averages.
Many women between the ages of 40 and 50 are wondering about IVF. Faced with a science increasingly performing since age is almost no longer a technical problem - just like menopause to another extent - many countries have come to provide an ethical framework to these issues by limiting the possible age in end of quarantine. Laws are almost unified in Europe for example but there are countries where this is possible after 47, 48 and even 50 years.
Management over time means two things: how to put this project in my life, my age and how to resort to an in vitro fertilization "quickly". Indeed one of the keys to "act" is to choose your IVF and do it quickly. Fertility clinics are used by many couples who "think" about IVF without being in a hurry. If there is no urgency, the experience of the clinics over time shows that it is necessary to decide quickly, on the one hand to give more chances "techniques" to the fertilization, on the other hand not to "give up" the project.
Many couples have the reflex to say that artificial insemination is enough and do not think about in vitro fertilization. You should know that artificial insemination is obviously a service available in most fertility centres but is extremely minor because it does not concern couples who have long sought to have a child. These couples are indeed very rare in proportion and often the problem is not a problem of fertility but other.
It should be known that the very term artificial insemination is almost absent from these centres because one focuses almost exclusively on so-called programs of in vitro fertilization. Programs, which have, in addition to the advantage of favouring a higher birth rate from a technical point of view, especially thanks to the option or technique called ICSI.
We all have our own opinion but the very IVF choice is a decision since by definition we use the science of man to "force" what nature cannot produce. The ethical question is generally not on the choice to have an IVF but on the rest, should I go further and choose criteria for my child, as the donation of sperm and egg can sometimes allow me? Do I have to use a shared maternity clinic during the procedure? Should I have a surrogate? Single or homosexual, is it an obstacle? Should I choose sex as possible (sex selection an option in IVF program)? The law has often come to the rescue of these issues to regulate what could be akin to the beginning of eugenics. It is therefore up to each of us to ask ourselves these questions outside of any family pressure, his entourage and indeed what is deemed to be political or religious.
Most in vitro fertilization programs use the same techniques, but one option often comes up, the so-called single sperm selection procedure or ICSI. Intra cytoplasmic injection is a technique that theoretically increases the probability of the success rate by 5% on average.
This technique is often an option and sometimes included in IVF programs with ICSI in some major maternity centres.
The most common option, you will know from your point of fertility done with your doctor. This variant of IVF requires asking some questions in terms of time management, especially on the timing of the donor and the recipient but also the role of the partner in this phase. Indeed, technically the couple can travel separately, the man can come and go for a sperm deposit. This one will be frozen since when the time will be there the donor will be able to come at the right moment and the fertilization will take place. The recipient woman can then come later and stay shorter. The couple can of course come for a period of about ten days.
Another option that will also affect only certain couples, the sperm donation. Like oocyte donation, the woman or couple will choose a donor based on a certain number of so-called administrative criteria in addition to those determined from the point of view of the laboratories. The choice is made according to the data available in the big sperm banks which gather thousands of donors with the most different characteristics.
The choice of a program always requires coordination with the doctor responsible for the so-called fertility clinic and so you will have in advance answered questions before arriving, your cycle, the intake of hormones promoting ovulation, in the case of donations, the synchronization of the cycle.
Note that the man is not obliged to be as present as the woman because he can drop his sperm at any time and just count 2h for that while waiting to fill out the forms and know the result of his analysis.
On average if everything is coordinated at best it takes a good week in the best case.
All options have been discussed here. However, apart from personal options such as gender selection option, it is at the level of the laboratory tests and the genetic tests that you will be able to add these services. Indeed, never included in the programs, during a standard IVF or in particular when choosing an egg donation (able to detect a genetic problem) these tests can be important and are the choice of the couple.
An IVF program never includes the ancillary service part It is important to know the hosting solutions, the duration of your program, the cost of transportation to access the clinic.
Finally, from the beginning you will be asked if you are taking stimulation hormones before leaving or arriving at the clinic? If you can, we advise you to do it before because you will stay several days less.
Since the beginning of 2022 and until mid 2023, prices with fertility clinics have changed a lot with an average +25% increase!
Almost all ivf procedures are now more expensive that affects embryo, sperm or egg donors option that are option that go with IVF.
We would advise to carefully ask a breakdown of their costs to clinics as now basic IVF with ICSI option that were at 3000 € in Europe for instance can be found close to 4250 €.
It is often the main questions asked by couples or single ladies or men but it comes after all the others as the total cost will be determined by all first 9 questions.
You will never really see a clear pricing for in vitro fertilization services in a fertility clinic as many options and personnal services make a clear total cost difficult to calculate.
In a ivf cost breakdown you may have more than fifteen lines from sperm freezing, file translation to additional laboratory tests.
The main costs of an ivf protocol are the ivf process in itself, if there is a need for an ovocytes or sperm donation and Fertility hormons.
The main factor that will affect the cost of your ivf procedure is the country where you do it.
The cheapest ivf procédures can be found in Africa in 2025 but some countries are not recommended because of the lack of certification or equipments.
The best value for money for ivf is Greece as the country is reputed for the quality of its Fertility clinics and with fair costs.
Now in 2025 you shall expect an ivf simple protocol starting as of 3800 €/$ wherever you do it.
When someone or a couple is embarking on invitrofertilization process, it can involve a lot of considerations. Here are some key questions you might want to ask before proceeding to us or to your fertility clinic during a video consultation with a fertility doctor:
Procedure and Process:
- What does the IVF process involve from start to finish?
- How are the fertility medications administered, and what are their potential side effects?
- Can you explain the various stages of egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo transfer, and implantation?
Success Rates and Expectations:
- What are the success rates of IVF at your clinic or in your specific circumstances?
- What factors can impact the success of the procedure, considering my age, health, and fertility issues?
- Realistically, what should I expect in terms of multiple cycles or attempts before achieving success?
Risks and Complications:
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with IVF?
How do you manage and minimize these risks during and after the procedure?
- Are there any long-term health concerns associated with IVF?
Financial Considerations:
- What is the total cost of the IVF procedure, including medications, consultations, and any additional tests?
- Does insurance cover any part of the procedure or medications?
- Are there any financing options or packages available?
Emotional and Psychological Support:
- How does your clinic support patients emotionally and psychologically through the IVF journey?
- Are counseling services or support groups available for couples undergoing IVF?
Alternative Treatment Options:
- Besides IVF, are there alternative fertility treatments or procedures that might be suitable for my situation?
- What are the pros and cons of other fertility treatments compared to IVF?
Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Are there any lifestyle changes or recommendations that could enhance the success of IVF?
- Should I modify my diet, exercise routine, or other habits during the IVF process?
Doctor's Expertise and Clinic Facilities:
- What experience does the doctor and clinic have in performing IVF?
- Can I have a tour of the facilities or learn more about the technology and equipment used during IVF procedures?
These questions can serve as a starting point for discussions with your healthcare provider or fertility specialist. We recommend to liaise with us first. Then we will tell you what are the available fertility clinics as the waiting list in some countries is over two long years. Then you will be able to have a remote video consultation with the right fertility doctor. From that you will receive quotes and be able to compare the different offers for probably what is your best project in your life!
Authors: By Doctors Dr Berk Angün in Cyprus, Dr Syrios Petros in Athenes and Dr. Antonio Gosálvez in Madrid.
Updated Janurary 2025