Fertility treatment options

Reviewed by HHH Clinical Team · April 20266 sections · 3 min read

Top things to know

Fertility treatment ranges from ovulation tablets to IUI, IVF, and ICSI; the right option depends on the cause.

If ovulation is irregular, tablet treatments help around 70–80% of women release eggs.

ICSI injects a single sperm into each egg and helps when sperm count or movement is low.

Treatment costs and funding vary widely by area, so ask your doctor what is available to you.

What fertility treatment options are available to you?

Fertility treatment can feel overwhelming. There are many options, and the terminology can be confusing. This article breaks down the main treatments so you can understand what's available and what questions to ask your doctor.

What is ovulation induction and who is it for?

If you're not ovulating regularly (common in PMOS), medications can help stimulate your ovaries to release eggs. The most common is letrozole (now first-line for PMOS) or clomifene citrate. These are tablet-based treatments taken for 5 days each cycle.

Success rates vary, but approximately 70–80% of women with PMOS will ovulate with medication. Pregnancy rates are approximately 15–20% per cycle.

You'll need monitoring (blood tests and/or ultrasound) during treatment to check your response and reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy.

What is IUI (intrauterine insemination) and when is it used?

involves placing concentrated, prepared sperm directly into the uterus around the time of . It's less invasive than and can be used with or without -stimulating medication.

What is IVF and how does it work?

involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, collecting those eggs, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, and then transferring an embryo back into the uterus.

The process typically takes 4–6 weeks per cycle and involves: • Daily hormone injections for 10–14 days • Regular monitoring with blood tests and ultrasound • Egg collection (minor procedure under sedation) • Embryo transfer (usually painless, no sedation needed) • A two-week wait before pregnancy test

Average success rate per cycle (using own eggs): approximately 29% for women under 35, declining with age. Success also depends on the underlying cause of infertility.

29%

Average IVF success rate per cycle using own eggs is approximately 29% for women under 35, declining with age.

HFEA, IVF success rates and costs

What is ICSI and how is it different from IVF?

(Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a variation of where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. It's used when male factor infertility is significant, low sperm count, poor motility, or when sperm has been surgically retrieved.

has similar success rates to standard . It has made parenthood possible for many couples who previously had no options.

How much do fertility treatments cost and how do you access them?

Some couples travel abroad for treatment (India, Turkey, Spain, Czech Republic). This can reduce costs but carries risks: research clinics carefully, check success rates, and clarify what follow-up care will look like when you return home.

Ask your doctor what's available in your area. Don't assume you won't qualify, ask.

How did this land with you?

If this helped, someone you know might need it too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IUI, IVF and ICSI?

IUI places prepared sperm in the womb around ovulation. IVF fertilises eggs with sperm in the lab. ICSI is IVF where a single sperm is injected into each egg, used mainly for male-factor problems. Each fits a different diagnosis.

Does the NHS fund fertility treatment?

Some treatment is NHS-funded, but eligibility rules and the number of funded cycles vary by local area. Age, BMI and whether either partner has children commonly affect the decision. Check your own area's policy first.

What do clinic success rates really mean?

A headline rate is not your personal chance. Success varies with age, diagnosis and what is being counted, per cycle or per embryo transfer. Ask what the number includes before comparing clinics.