IVF Treatment Turkey

What is IVF Treatment?
IVF treatment encompasses the most advanced assisted reproductive techniques, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
In IVF (In Vitro Fertilization),sperm cells are placed around an egg cell in special dishes called "dish," and fertilization is expected to occur naturally.
In ICSI, a sperm cell is injected directly into the egg cell using a special needle under a microscope, also in a dish.
In both IVF and ICSI treatments, fertilization occurs in a laboratory setting.
Who Can Undergo IVF Treatment?
IVF treatment is recommended for patients with blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility with severe low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal morphology, patients with ovulation disorders who have not achieved pregnancy with ovulation-stimulating drugs and intrauterine insemination, couples with long-term infertility, unexplained infertility where intrauterine insemination has failed, and situations where genetic diagnosis of embryos is required.
Success Rates of IVF Treatment
Unfortunately, IVF treatments do not guarantee a 100% success rate. The most critical factor influencing success is the woman's age. While the live birth rate per embryo transfer is around 40% for women under 35, this rate decreases with age.
How is IVF Treatment Performed?
IVF treatment involves growing eggs with medication, collecting the eggs through an egg retrieval procedure, fertilizing them with sperm cells in the laboratory, and then transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus on a specific day.
What are the Stages of IVF Treatment?
IVF treatment begins on the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual cycle. If there is no cystic formation on ultrasound and hormone levels in blood tests are appropriate, the treatment is started with injections into the abdomen. The medication dosage is determined based on the patient's age, body mass index, and ovarian reserve. Ultrasound examinations and blood tests are conducted at regular intervals.
When there are at least three follicles of 17 mm or more, a trigger injection is administered, and the eggs are collected 36-40 hours later under anesthesia using a needle guided by vaginal ultrasound. The eggs are fertilized on the same day, and the embryos are checked the following day. Depending on their development, the embryos are transferred to the uterus on the 3rd or 5th day. A pregnancy test is conducted approximately 10-12 days later.
Tests in IVF Treatment
When IVF treatment is decided, estradiol, progesterone, and LH hormones are checked in the blood before starting treatment on the second day of the menstrual cycle and at regular intervals after treatment begins. Follicle size and endometrial thickness are measured through ultrasound at regular intervals.
Medications in IVF Treatment
The primary goal in IVF treatment is to grow the woman's eggs. The dosage is determined based on the patient's ovarian reserve, age, weight, and body mass index. Injections containing FSH, LH, or both hormones are administered subcutaneously. If the short protocol is selected, antagonist injections are added to prevent premature ovulation when the eggs reach a certain size.
When the eggs reach the desired size, a trigger injection containing the hCG hormone is administered. The eggs are collected two days after the trigger injection. Estrogen and progesterone hormones are started the day after egg retrieval to support the endometrium and continue until embryo transfer and post-transfer pregnancy testing.
The injections used during treatment are usually easy for the patient to self-administer, similar to insulin or blood-thinning injections.
IVF Treatment Costs Turkey in 2024
IVF treatment costs can vary significantly depending on factors such as the country, clinic, treatment protocol, and additional services. In 2024, the cost of IVF treatment ranges from 60,000 TL to 85,000 TL.
However, IVF treatment is generally expensive and may not be covered by health insurance in many countries. IVF treatment costs can include laboratory work, medications, doctor visits, embryo transfer, and possibly freezing procedures.
IVF treatment costs can vary from country to country and even from city to city. For example, IVF treatment costs are generally higher in Istanbul but more affordable in Ankara.
When to Start IVF Treatment?
If the short protocol is being used, IVF treatment begins on the second or third day of menstruation with egg-stimulating injections. If the long protocol is used, treatment starts one week before the expected period with suppressive injections.
Factors Affecting IVF Success
Successful IVF treatment requires good-quality embryos and a healthy endometrium. Since the embryo is formed by the union of egg and sperm cells, both cells must be of high quality.
The most critical factor affecting egg quality is the woman's age. As a woman ages, the quality of her eggs decreases. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress can also affect cell quality and success.
The endometrium, or uterine lining, must be in a receptive state, meaning it should have the characteristics necessary for embryo implantation. The window of receptivity for the endometrium is limited, and it is essential not to miss this period. Premature or excessive hormone levels during treatment can disrupt implantation. Therefore, hormone levels must be closely monitored.
During embryo transfer, the uterine lining should have the desired thickness, and there should be no structures such as polyps or fibroids occupying space, or adhesions that may have developed after previous curettage or intrauterine surgeries. If these pathologies are present, it is recommended to remove polyps and fibroids and open adhesions before the transfer.
One of the most critical steps affecting IVF success is embryo transfer. Embryo transfer should be performed as gently as possible without causing uterine contractions.
How Long Does IVF Treatment Take?
The time from the start of IVF treatment to embryo transfer is approximately 12-15 days.
Can Everyone Undergo IVF Treatment?
As long as a woman has not reached menopause and sperm can be obtained from the testes using methods such as TESA/TESE in cases of male azoospermia, IVF treatment can be performed. Since the goal of IVF treatment is to create a healthy embryo, if egg or sperm cells cannot be found, IVF treatment cannot be performed. Additionally, a legal marriage certificate is required for IVF treatment.
Are There Risks Associated with IVF Treatment?
During IVF treatments, patients with a high ovarian reserve and many growing eggs with elevated hormone levels may develop a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). To prevent this, we try to keep the dose as low as possible in lean patients with a high ovarian reserve and closely monitor them. Sometimes, we change the type of trigger injection or avoid embryo transfer that month to minimize this risk.
During the egg retrieval process, complications related to the procedure can occur, but if performed carefully by experienced hands, the risk is minimal.
During embryo transfer, there is a minimal risk that a high-quality blastocyst (day 5 embryo) may split into identical twins, but this is very rare.
How Many Times Can IVF Be Attempted?
IVF treatment can be attempted as many times as desired, as long as the patient has the financial and emotional energy.
Are There Any Negative Effects of IVF Treatment on the Mother?
There are no negative effects of IVF treatment on the mother. There is no evidence that the hormones used in treatment cause any type of cancer.
Is There an Age Limit for IVF?
There is no age limit for IVF treatment as long as the patient has not reached menopause. However, it should be known that the chances of success decrease with age, and treatment should not be delayed.
Does the Government Support IVF Treatment?
Under Article 63 of Law No. 5510 on Social Insurances and General Health Insurance, the conditions for covering IVF treatments are specified.
Regardless of whether they have children from previous marriages, a general health insured person who has no children in their current marriage, except for adopted children, is eligible for IVF treatment if a medical board report indicates that natural conception is not possible, the woman is over 23 years old and has not yet reached the age of 40, there is no systemic disease in the woman that would prevent pregnancy as stated in the medical board report, the treatment center is contracted with SGK, at least one of the spouses has been a general health insured person or a dependent for at least five years with a minimum of 900 days of premium payments, and no results have been achieved with other treatment methods in the last three years, except for cases of primary ovarian insufficiency or male azoospermia, up to three IVF treatment attempts are covered.
If the woman is over 40 years old at the time of embryo transfer, the treatment cost is not covered. However, if a valid medical report was issued when she was under 40 and the embryo transfer occurred within 30 days of the report, the treatment cost is covered by the government.
For preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGT) and IVF treatment aimed at the birth of a sibling who is a stem cell donor or for the birth of a healthy child in cases of genetic diseases, up to three attempts are covered.
Which Doctor and Department Should Be Consulted for IVF Treatment?
For IVF treatment, one should consult an obstetrician and gynecologist who has participated in and obtained certification from a specialized program in assisted reproductive technologies.
The Importance of Nutrition in IVF Treatment
Healthy nutrition is crucial at all stages of life and even more so for those seeking to conceive. Smoking and alcohol reduce the quality of both eggs and sperm. A diet rich in protein and low in carbohydrates is preferred.