Fertility Treatments

Fertility treatment helps people who want a baby but find it hard to conceive. It can be as gentle as timing support and counseling, or as advanced as in vitro fertilization (IVF). The goal is the same: give you a fair chance at pregnancy with safe, respectful care.

What “infertility” means

Doctors usually use a simple rule. If pregnancy has not happened after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex (or after 6 months if the female partner is 35 or older), it is time to get checked. Infertility can involve the ovaries or tubes, sperm issues, both partners, or no clear cause at all. It is common, and it is not your fault.

Who might need fertility care

• Couples who have tried for a year without success (or six months if age 35+).
• People with known conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, blocked tubes, very low sperm count, or recurrent miscarriage.
• People preserving fertility before cancer therapy or major surgery.
• People who want to freeze eggs when tests show a low ovarian reserve or a strong family history of early menopause.

First steps: simple tests

Good care starts with basics. A medical history, pelvic exam, ultrasound, and blood tests to check ovulation. A semen analysis to check count, movement, and shape. Sometimes a dye test to see if tubes are open. The plan comes from your results, your age, and your goals.

Main Treatment Paths, Explained Simply

Timed intercourse, lifestyle, and medicines

Sometimes small changes and timing make a big difference: tracking ovulation, adjusting thyroid or prolactin levels, treating infections, or using pills or injections to help eggs mature. Your team tries the least invasive options first when it makes sense.

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

With IUI, a lab prepares a semen sample and the doctor places the best-moving sperm inside the uterus near ovulation. It is quick and usually painless. It can help in unexplained infertility or mild male factor. Some people do a few IUI cycles before moving on.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

IVF means eggs are stimulated to grow, collected with a tiny needle, and fertilized in the lab. A few days later, one embryo is placed in the uterus. Extra embryos can be frozen for later. IVF success depends on age, egg and sperm quality, medical history, and lab quality. Your team will set expectations carefully.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Sometimes a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. This is called ICSI. It is commonly used for very low sperm counts or after prior fertilization failure. It is not automatically better for every case. Your doctor will explain when it helps.

PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)

Some couples consider PGT to check embryos for specific genetic diseases (PGT-M) or for chromosome number (PGT-A). PGT-M can prevent passing on known single-gene disorders. PGT-A has benefits and limits; it may help choose one euploid embryo, but it is not a guaranteed path to higher live birth in every situation. It is a personal decision after counseling.

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation)

Egg freezing lets people store eggs for the future. In Türkiye, egg freezing is allowed under defined medical conditions, including low ovarian reserve verified by a specialist committee, certain genetic or family risks for early menopause, or before treatments that can harm fertility. Your doctor will review the criteria and documents needed.

What affects success

• Age is the strongest factor for outcomes with your own eggs.
• The cause of infertility and how long you have been trying.
• Embryo quality and lab standards.
• Number of attempts and whether you use frozen embryos later.

Even with the best care, not every cycle works. Many families need more than one try. Your team will guide you through solid next steps after each result.

Risks and How Clinics Lower Them

OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome)

With strong responses to stimulation, fluid can shift in the body and cause discomfort or, rarely, serious illness. Today, doctors use safer protocols, lower doses, and “freeze-all” strategies to cut risk. Tell your team quickly if you feel worsening pain, fast weight gain, or severe bloating.

Multiple pregnancy

Twins may sound appealing, but they carry higher risks for both the birthing parent and babies. That is why many countries encourage single-embryo transfer whenever possible. In Türkiye, the number of embryos transferred is legally limited (details below). This supports safer, healthier pregnancies.

Other possible issues

Procedures can have side effects like soreness, spotting, or rare infection. Pregnancy at advanced age brings higher risks, which your obstetrician will manage with close follow-up. Your clinic’s job is to inform, prevent, and act early if anything feels off.

How an IVF Cycle Usually Flows

1) Preparation

Screening tests, vitamin and vaccine review, and a clear plan. Some clinics use short contraception or estradiol to keep timing predictable. You learn to give tiny injections at home or visit the clinic for them.

2) Stimulation and monitoring

For about 8–12 days, you take hormone shots so multiple eggs mature. Ultrasound and blood tests guide dose changes. When follicles are ready, you take a “trigger” shot.

3) Egg retrieval and fertilization

The doctor retrieves eggs through the vagina under light anesthesia. In the lab, eggs meet sperm, either by standard insemination or ICSI. The lab cares for embryos in carefully controlled incubators.

4) Embryo transfer

Embryos grow for 3 to 5 days. The doctor places one embryo into the uterus with a soft catheter. Extra good-quality embryos can be frozen.

5) The wait and the plan

About two weeks later, a blood test checks for pregnancy. If not pregnant, your team helps plan the next step. Many families succeed across more than one cycle, especially when frozen transfers are included.

Fertility Care in Istanbul

Istanbul is a major hub for medical travel. The city blends skilled specialists, modern hospitals, and dedicated international patient services. Many hospitals hold global accreditations and run busy IVF programs with experienced teams. The city’s airports, hotels, and interpreters make logistics easier for patients and companions.

Why Istanbul stands out for patients

• Experienced clinicians. High-volume centers staffed by reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses focused on IVF.
• Quality systems. Many hospitals pursue international accreditation (for example, JCI) and follow global fertility guidelines.
• International desks. Schedulers, translators, and case managers help with appointments, transfers, and paperwork.
• Comfort and culture. A historic, welcoming city with many hotel options near major hospitals and clinics.

What the law allows in Türkiye (plain language)

Türkiye has clear rules for assisted reproduction. Treatments are designed for married couples using their own eggs and sperm. Third-party reproduction—donor egg, donor sperm, embryo donation, and surrogacy—is not permitted. The law also restricts the number of embryos transferred to reduce multiple pregnancy risk. For women under 35, the first two IVF attempts usually involve single-embryo transfer. In later attempts, or at age 35 and above, up to two embryos may be allowed. Egg freezing is permitted under specific medical indications, such as documented low ovarian reserve or upcoming treatments that can harm fertility. Your clinic will review the current rules with you and provide required documentation.

Packages, costs, and value

Clinics in Istanbul often offer bundled packages for international patients. These can include medical consults, scans, lab work, medications during your stay, egg retrieval, anesthesia, embryo culture, transfer, freezing of extra embryos, and airport or hotel transfers. Read every offer closely. Ask what is included, what is extra, and how many follow-ups are covered after you return home. Focus first on safety, ethics, and proof of quality before comparing price.

A typical international patient journey

1. Inquiry and review. You share your history, test results, and goals. The clinic suggests a plan and a timeline.
2. Pre-arrival checklist. The team may order updated labs, a semen analysis, or imaging at home. They confirm legal paperwork and consent forms.
3. Arrival in Istanbul. In-person consult, ultrasound, and blood work. A final plan is set. Medications begin.
4. Procedure and early recovery. Egg retrieval is a short day-procedure. Many people rest that day and feel normal within 24–48 hours.
5. Transfer and travel. You may have a fresh transfer or plan a frozen transfer later. The clinic gives detailed aftercare instructions and emergency contacts.
6. Follow-up from home. Tele-visits and shared lab results help your Istanbul team coordinate with your local doctor.

How long to stay

For a fresh IVF cycle, many plan 12–18 days in Istanbul to cover stimulation, retrieval, and transfer. If you plan to freeze embryos and return later for a frozen transfer, the first trip can be shorter. Your clinic will tailor the schedule.

Aftercare when you return home

Good follow-up protects your health and your results. Schedule local blood tests and scans. Keep taking prescribed medicines. Share reports between teams. Ask for an emergency contact number before you fly home.

Choosing the Right Istanbul Clinic

What to look for

• Accreditation and lab quality. Ask about international accreditation and lab standards.
• Transparent statistics. Expect age-grouped outcomes and honest counseling about chances.
• Safety protocols. Ask how they reduce OHSS, limit multiples, and manage emergencies.
• Clear financials. Request a written quote with all potential extras.
• Communication. Ensure you have named contacts, interpreter support, and clear instructions in your language.

Questions to ask your clinic

• How many IVF cycles do you perform each year for patients my age?
• How do you decide between IVF and ICSI? When do you recommend PGT?
• What is your policy on single-embryo transfer and embryo freezing?
• What are the total costs and common add-ons?
• What after-hours support is available if I feel unwell?

FAQ

Can I use donor eggs or donor sperm in Istanbul?

No. Turkish law does not allow third-party reproduction (donor eggs, donor sperm, embryo donation) or surrogacy. Clinics will explain the legal framework and alternatives.

Is IVF safe?

Serious complications are uncommon in experienced hands. Your team will screen carefully, personalize doses, and monitor you. They will also aim for single-embryo transfer when possible to lower risks of multiples.

How many embryos can be transferred?

In Türkiye, the law limits transfer numbers to reduce twin and triplet pregnancies. Under 35, the first two tries are usually single-embryo transfers. Older or later-attempt patients may be allowed up to two. Your doctor will confirm what applies to you.

When should we move from IUI to IVF?

It depends on age, diagnosis, and past results. Many couples try a few IUIs first when the diagnosis is favorable. Your specialist will help you decide when to step up.

Can I freeze my eggs in Istanbul?

Egg freezing is possible under defined conditions such as documented low ovarian reserve, certain genetic risks for early menopause, or before treatments that can harm fertility. Your clinic will confirm whether you meet the criteria and what documents you need.

How do I get trusted information and support in English?

Large Istanbul hospitals have international patient offices, interpreters, and 24/7 phone support. Ask your clinic for direct contacts, and request written plans and instructions in your language.

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This page is for general information. It does not replace medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for personal recommendations.

References

1. World Health Organization. “Infertility.” May 22, 2024.
2. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “ART Success Rates” and “National ART Summary.” 2024–2025 pages.
3. CDC. “IVF Success Estimator.” Dec 10, 2024.
4. ASRM Practice/Patient resources. “IVF: what are the risks?” and OHSS guidance.
5. ASRM Patient Education. “Intrauterine insemination (IUI).”
6. ASRM/SART Committee Opinion. “Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for non–male factor indications.” Fertil Steril 2020;114(2):239-245.
7. AUA/ASRM Male Infertility Guideline (amended 2024).
8. ASRM Committee Opinion (2024). “The use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A).” and related PubMed record.
9. ESHRE PGT Consortium. “Good practice recommendations for PGT” (2020 series) and overview pages.
10. Ministry of Health regulations in Türkiye (2010) summarized in peer-reviewed literature: Urman B. “New Turkish legislation on assisted reproductive techniques and centres.” 2010; and Gürtin ZB. “Banning reproductive travel: Turkey’s ART legislation…” 2011.
11. Embryo-transfer limits in Türkiye (one embryo under 35 in first two cycles; max two thereafter or ≥35): multicenter studies and reviews.
12. WHO EMRO report on mandatory age-based single-embryo transfer in Türkiye.
13. Legal status of third-party reproduction and cross-border bans in Türkiye: analyses and reviews.
14. Scope of treatment for married couples using own gametes (regulatory summary).
15. Egg freezing in Türkiye: legal indications and 2014 expansion described in case reports and academic reviews.
16. HealthTürkiye (official platform) and Ministry resources for international patients, including multilingual call center.
17. Joint Commission International (JCI). “Find Accredited International Organizations.”