Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does an IVF attempt take?
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   The IVF process is divided into three consecutive stages:
   a. Ovarian stimulation, which lasts on average 10–12 days.
   b. Egg retrieval (oocyte pick-up), which follows stimulation and takes about 2 days in total, immediately after the stimulation stage ends.
   c. The waiting and preparation stage for embryo transfer, which may last 2–5 days immediately after egg retrieval, depending on the developmental stage at which the embryos will be transferred into the uterus.
    
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2. If I undergo IVF, will I definitely become pregnant?
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   In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a method that has helped many couples with infertility to have children. However, it is important to understand that IVF increases the chances of pregnancy but does not guarantee 100% success. Average success rates are around 25–35% thanks to advances in embryology and gynaecology, and in certain clinical scenarios they can reach up to 60%.
   Factors that affect the outcome of IVF include:
   • The woman’s age. In women > 40 years old, IVF success rates decrease to 10–15%, while if the woman is >45 years old, success rates are around 1–3%.
   • The endometrium. The thinner it appears on ultrasound during the process, the more difficult embryo implantation may be.
   • Increased body weight, which can negatively affect response to ovarian stimulation medication.
   • Other co-existing medical conditions.
      
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3. How can I choose the right IVF centre for my attempt?
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   It is true that there is no strictly “right” or “wrong” IVF centre, nor a single guide that can make this choice easy. The most important criterion is the sense of trust inspired mainly by the specialist doctor and their team. The relationship with a fertility specialist is unique and should be based on trust and a sense of safety. The overall impression of the centre, how comfortable you feel at your first visit, the friendliness of the staff, the professionalism, and the personalised approach you receive at the first appointment—all of these help a couple ultimately choose the centre that suits them and inspires confidence.
    
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4. Is egg / sperm donation, or even embryo donation, safe? In which cases is it an option?
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   Donation of gametes (eggs, sperm) and embryos is an option that, for many couples, may be the only route to achieving a pregnancy and having a child. No health complications have been recorded for recipients. Because this option has particular implications, prospective parents should be appropriately informed about the origin of the donated material and the screening tests performed, so they can make a well-informed decision. For more information about donation, please visit: www.biogenetic.gr
    
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5. What happens if my IVF attempt is unsuccessful?
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   If the outcome of your attempt is negative, medication is stopped and you then wait for your menstrual period to start. Afterwards, you meet with the fertility specialist to review the attempt, so that in a next cycle the plan can be adjusted as much as possible to increase the chances of success. Couples should always keep in mind that IVF treatment may be a long journey that requires patience and support from the fertility specialist and, in some cases, from counsellors or psychologists.
    
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6. Is there an age limit for IVF?
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   Greek law on medically assisted reproduction clarifies several issues regarding IVF and sets the 50th year of a woman’s age as the upper limit at which she may seek treatment through IVF.
    
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7. Does a man’s age affect his fertility?
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   A man’s age does not affect fertility in the same way it does for a woman, whose fertility declines significantly with age. This is because a man continues to produce sperm. That said, there is a relative age threshold—around 65 years—beyond which the couple should be informed that the likelihood of genetic abnormalities in the embryo increases significantly due to the age of the sperm.
   Therefore, a man can father children at any age, provided sperm quality (semen analysis) is good.
    
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8. Are there complications in the IVF process?
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   As with any invasive procedure, potential complications have been recorded for IVF as well. Read “What can go wrong” for more information.

    

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