What is IVF treatment and who is it applied to?
IVF treatment is a modern reproductive method applied to couples who have difficulty conceiving naturally. Embryos are created by bringing together the egg taken from the woman and the sperm taken from the man in a laboratory environment, and suitable embryos are transferred into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.
Women with blocked tubes, men with low sperm count, couples experiencing unexplained infertility, and women with decreased ovarian reserve are suitable candidates for this treatment. For women of advanced age whose chance of success with their own eggs is low, the donor egg option is an important advantage of this method.
What are the stages of IVF treatment?
The treatment consists of several basic steps. First, the ovaries are stimulated with hormonal medications, and when the monitored eggs mature, they are collected through a minor surgical procedure. At the same time, the sperm sample taken is combined with the eggs in the laboratory, and embryo development begins.
Among the developing embryos, the strongest candidates are selected and transferred into the uterus of the intended mother. A blood test performed approximately 10–12 days later shows whether pregnancy has occurred. This process is closely monitored by a specialist team, and each stage is planned individually.
How long does IVF treatment take in total?
The entire treatment cycle usually takes about one month. Ovarian stimulation lasts approximately 10–12 days, and egg retrieval and embryo transfer are completed within the same month.
For patients coming from abroad, the process can be made more practical: pre-tests are done in their own country, and the required stay in Cyprus is usually only 5–10 days. This way, patients benefit from both medical convenience and short-term treatment.
What is the success rate of IVF treatment?
The success rate largely depends on the woman’s age and egg quality. The chance of pregnancy is quite high in younger age groups; in women under 30, success can exceed 80%.
After age 35, the rate gradually decreases; between 38–40 years, it drops to around 50–70%. In women over 40, especially with their own eggs, the success rate may fall below 50% due to age-related genetic weakening of the eggs.
On the other hand, when donor eggs are used, the effect of age is largely eliminated, and the rates are much higher. Additionally, experienced clinics and strong laboratory conditions significantly increase success.
Is there an age limit for IVF treatment?
Although there is no strict official upper age limit, attempts at advanced maternal age provide very limited results. Many clinics do not recommend treatment with a woman’s own eggs after age 45.
In Northern Cyprus, the legal limit is 55; however, approval from the Ministry of Health is required after age 45. In this upper age group, pregnancy is usually possible only with donor eggs.
There is no clear age limit for men, although sperm quality may decline with age. Male reproductive age is much broader compared to women.
What is egg donation?
Egg donation is a special IVF method in which eggs taken from a healthy and young donor are used for women who cannot conceive with their own eggs. Eggs collected from the donor are fertilized with the father’s sperm in the laboratory to create embryos, which are then transferred into the uterus of the intended mother prepared for pregnancy.
This method is preferred mainly by women with severely diminished ovarian reserve, early menopause, removed ovaries, or those carrying genetic conditions that prevent the use of their own eggs. Cyprus is one of the rare locations where this treatment is legal and safely regulated.
I am in menopause. Can I still have a child?
Yes, it is possible. Menopause means that a woman no longer produces her own eggs, but pregnancy can still occur as long as the uterus is healthy. In menopausal women, egg donation is used; eggs from a young donor are fertilized and placed into the uterus.
The uterus is prepared with hormonal treatment to support pregnancy. Many women in their 50s achieve healthy pregnancies with this method. In Cyprus, treatment can be offered up to age 55 if medical conditions are suitable.
Is egg donation legal in Cyprus?
Yes. Egg donation is completely legal and regulated by state laws in Cyprus. Donor health screenings, age range, genetic tests, and psychological evaluations are mandatory by law.
Confidentiality is essential between donor and recipient; identities are not shared. Since it is prohibited in Turkey, many couples choose Cyprus for this treatment.
What is the success rate of egg donation?
Donor treatments are among the highest-success fertility methods because the eggs come from young and healthy donors.
Pregnancy rates generally reach 60–70%, and in some clinics, under ideal conditions, these rates can exceed 80%.
Success may vary depending on the uterine health of the intended mother, sperm quality, and embryo development.
How are egg donors selected and are they reliable?
Donor selection is a carefully managed process. Women in their early 20s to early 30s who are healthy and proven to be fertile—or have at least one birth—are accepted as donors.
Candidates undergo infection screening, genetic testing, blood group assessment, and psychological evaluation.
Physical matching is also important; donors with similar characteristics (skin tone, hair and eye color, body build) to the recipient are preferred. All information is legally confidential. Clinics in Cyprus have large donor pools, making correct matching easier.
What will the baby look like in egg donation?
The genetic makeup comes entirely from the donor and the father, so the baby carries the genetic traits of the donor and the father. Physical appearance and some genetic features may come from the donor.
However, because the intended mother carries the pregnancy, epigenetic effects during pregnancy can influence certain characteristics of the baby. And since physical matching is considered in donor selection, most babies resemble the family.
The bond between the mother carrying the pregnancy and the baby is extremely strong regardless of genetics.
What is PGT?
PGT is a test that examines embryos genetically before they are transferred into the uterus during IVF. A few cells are taken from the embryo and analyzed to detect possible genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormalities.
The purpose is to select the healthiest embryos to increase the chance of pregnancy and ensure the birth of a healthy baby. PGT detects both single-gene disorders and chromosomal irregularities, making it an important part of modern IVF.
When is PGT recommended?
PGT is not required for everyone; it is especially beneficial in specific risk groups. It is recommended in the following situations:
Known genetic diseases in the family
Recurrent miscarriages
Advanced maternal age
Repeated failed IVF attempts
Gender-related genetic conditions or family balancing (legal in Cyprus)
Does PGT harm the embryo?
With modern biopsy techniques, the risk of harming the embryo is extremely low. Once the embryo reaches day 5 (blastocyst stage), the biopsy is taken from the outer layer that will form the placenta, not from the cells that will form the baby. Therefore, its development potential is not affected.
While minimal risk exists, genetic screening often increases the overall success of the treatment.
What is embryo donation and how is it done?
Embryo donation is a special fertility method applied to individuals who have issues with both eggs and sperm. In this method, eggs from a suitable egg donor and sperm from a sperm donor are fertilized in the laboratory, and healthy embryos are created.
The best-quality embryos are transferred into the uterus of the recipient prepared with hormonal therapy.
Since donating unused embryos to another family is not allowed by law in Cyprus, new embryos are created specifically from donors. All processes follow strict confidentiality and ethical standards.
Who is embryo donation applied to?
This method is ideal in the following cases:
Couples without eggs and sperm
Single women of advanced age with unsuitable eggs
Couples with serious hereditary diseases
Repeated IVF failures due to poor embryo quality
Embryo donation offers a family-building option for individuals who have little or no chance of success with their own reproductive cells.
What is the success rate of embryo donation?
Embryo donation has one of the highest success rates because both eggs and sperm come from young, healthy donors.
First-transfer pregnancy rates can reach 70–75%, and in some clinics, total success over two attempts may reach 85–90%.
The most important factor is the uterine health of the recipient. When the uterus is optimally prepared, donor-derived embryos have strong implantation potential.
What is sperm donation and how is it done?
Sperm donation is used when the man’s sperm production is insufficient, no sperm can be found, or there is a genetic risk that prevents using his own sperm. In this treatment, sperm from a genetically screened donor is used.
The treatment is applied in two ways:
IUI (intrauterine insemination)
IVF/ICSI (fertilization in the laboratory)
IVF is usually preferred as it offers higher success. Donor sperm comes from internationally approved sperm banks, and confidentiality is strictly maintained within legal guidelines.
Who is sperm donation applied to?
Sperm donation is suitable for:
Men with azoospermia or severe sperm disorders
Men carrying serious genetic diseases
Single women who want to become mothers
Lesbian couples under suitable legal conditions
What is the success rate of sperm donation?
Success rates are high because donor sperm is young, healthy, and has strong fertilizing capacity.
The pregnancy rate varies depending on the age and egg quality of the intended mother. With IVF, success can reach 60–70%, and in some centers, up to 80%.
IUI has lower success (15–20%), so IVF is generally preferred.
Is sperm donation legal in Cyprus?
Yes, sperm donation is completely legal and regulated in Cyprus. Sperm must come from certified international sperm banks. Donor identity is confidential and not shared with the recipient family.
Since sperm donation is banned in Turkey, many couples and single women choose Cyprus for this treatment.
What is egg freezing and how is it done?
Egg freezing is a medical procedure in which eggs are collected and frozen to preserve a woman’s fertility. The process begins similarly to IVF: the ovaries are stimulated, and multiple eggs are matured in one cycle.
The eggs are collected through a short, ultrasound-guided procedure and then frozen using vitrification, a rapid-freezing technique that prevents damage.
Later, when the woman decides to become pregnant, the eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm, and transferred as embryos.
Who is egg freezing recommended for?
Egg freezing is recommended for both medical and social reasons. It is suitable for:
Women who will undergo cancer treatment
Women with early menopause risk
Women with declining ovarian reserve
Women who want to delay motherhood
It is an excellent option for preserving fertility before the natural decline of egg quality.
What is the best age to freeze eggs?
The ideal age is the late 20s to early 30s, when eggs are high in number and quality.
After age 35, egg reserve and quality begin to decline rapidly.
After age 40, many centers no longer recommend egg freezing due to low genetic health of the eggs.
How long can frozen eggs be stored?
Frozen eggs can theoretically be stored indefinitely. At –196°C, all biological activity stops, and eggs preserve their quality for years. Healthy births have been reported from eggs stored for more than 10 years.
In Cyprus, there is no strict upper storage limit; eggs can be kept as long as annual storage fees are paid.
What is the chance of pregnancy with frozen eggs?
With today’s technology, success rates are very close to fresh eggs. Survival after thawing exceeds 90% with vitrification.
If eggs were frozen at a young age, pregnancy rates are high; women under 35 may achieve 40–50% pregnancy rates with their frozen eggs.
The younger the eggs were frozen, the higher the success.
How does the treatment process work for international patients in Cyprus?
Cyprus is an international fertility destination with high success rates and flexible legal options.
Patients first contact the clinic from their home country, share their medical history, and send existing tests. Coordinators who speak multiple languages guide them and create a personalized plan.
Most medications can be used in the patient’s home country. The clinic follows progress remotely until egg collection or embryo transfer approaches.
When the time comes, the patient travels to Cyprus. Clinics provide airport transfers, hotel arrangements, and schedule guidance.
Egg collection and embryo transfer are usually completed within 5–10 days. Patients can return to their country shortly after transfer. The pregnancy test is done at home 12 days later.