In vitro fertilization is one of the most advanced procedures in modern reproductive medicine. From a medical standpoint, it is rigorously standardized, carefully monitored, and supported by solid scientific evidence. From the patient’s perspective, however, IVF is not perceived as a protocol, but as a complex life experience—one that involves hope, adjustment, waiting, and sometimes disappointment.
In my clinical practice, I consistently observe that patients do not only want to know what in vitro fertilization involves technically. The real question is far more personal: what will happen to me, step by step, and how will I live through this process? This article explains the complete patient experience in an IVF cycle as it is lived in reality, from the perspective of the doctor who accompanies couples daily throughout this journey.
What an In Vitro Fertilization cycle really is
The difference between the medical definition and the patient experience
From a medical standpoint, an IVF cycle is a process carried out over several weeks, which includes a clear sequence of stages: preparation of the patient, ovarian stimulation, monitoring, ovarian puncture, fertilization in the laboratory, embryo transfer, and evaluation of the outcome.
For the patient, this cycle is experienced differently. It is not just a sequence of stages, but a period during which personal, professional, and emotional life begins to organize around the treatment. Every medical check-up, every interim result, and every day of waiting takes on a significant emotional weight.
The road to IVF: when and why couples reach this treatment
IVF is not, as a rule, the first therapeutic option.
Age and marital status
In most cases, in vitro fertilization is not the first solution addressed in infertility. Couples reach IVF after a longer period during which they have tried other therapeutic options and have undergone multiple investigations. This period can last months or even years and is often marked by the accumulation of frustration and emotional fatigue.
The moment of decision – an important threshold for the patient
The decision to start an IVF cycle represents a turning point. For the patient, it comes along with a series of legitimate questions, such as:
- What are the real chances of success in our case?
- What does the treatment actually involve, beyond the name?
- How much will it affect our day-to-day life?
The doctor’s role at this stage is not only to recommend the procedure, but to explain realistically what IVF can and cannot offer, without unrealistic promises.
The psychological impact of infertility before IVF
For most patients, infertility is not initially perceived as a medical condition, but as a temporary problem that “will resolve on its own.” As time passes and pregnancy is delayed, this perception gradually changes, and the emotional impact begins to accumulate.
Infertility profoundly affects self-esteem, the couple’s relationship, and the way the patient relates to their own body. Many patients describe this period as one dominated by uncertainty, constant comparisons with those around them, and a hard-to-express feeling of loss of control. Questions such as “What isn’t working in me?” or “Did I do something wrong?” often arise.
Anxiety and a sense of failure before IVF
As simpler therapeutic options are exhausted, anxiety increases. IVF comes to be perceived not only as a solution, but also as a confirmation of the seriousness of the problem. For some patients, this stage is accompanied by a sense of personal failure, even though infertility is a medical condition, not an individual responsibility.
It is important that this stage is recognized and validated. Denying the emotional impact of infertility can amplify stress and can negatively influence the subsequent course of treatment.
Emotional differences between women and men
Although infertility affects the couple, the way it is experienced often differs between partners. Women tend to feel more intensely the pressure of biological time and to internalize the diagnosis more deeply, while men may adopt an apparently more rational attitude, focused on solutions.
This difference in emotional processing can generate tension within the couple if it is not understood and discussed openly. IVF is not only a medical treatment, but also a relational experience that requires communication and mutual support.
Why the IVF decision is never only medical
The decision to begin an IVF cycle is not based exclusively on clinical criteria. It is influenced by emotional, social, financial, and personal factors. For some patients, accepting IVF also involves letting go of a certain idealized image of natural conception, which may require time and emotional processing.
Initial evaluation: the foundation of a correct IVF cycle
Why the initial evaluation is essential
A well-managed IVF cycle begins with a complete medical evaluation. The purpose of this stage is to understand the cause of infertility, to identify any risk factors, and to personalize the treatment protocol.
What the medical evaluation involves
The initial evaluation addresses both partners and includes investigations that allow the doctor to build a complete picture of the reproductive situation. Its role is to establish the appropriate therapeutic strategy for each couple, not to apply a standardized protocol.
The emotional impact of investigations
For the patient, this stage is often emotionally charged. Results can bring clarity, but can also confirm older fears related to age, ovarian reserve, or sperm quality. The way this information is explained influences its significant.
“You deserve to be heard, seen, treated with respect, and supported throughout your life.”
Preparation for the IVF cycle
A frequently underestimated stage
Between the initial evaluation and the start of the actual treatment, there is often a preparation period. This is not a passive stage, but one that can include important adjustments, such as optimizing lifestyle or treating associated conditions.
What this stage aims to achieve
The goal of preparation is to create the best possible conditions for the IVF cycle, both medically and emotionally. For the patient, this period is often a time of reflection and adaptation to the idea of the treatment that follows official enrollment period (October 20 – November 30, 2025) and to begin preparing your file in advance, so that you have a safety margin.
Ovarian stimulation: the concrete beginning of the IVF experience
Why ovarian stimulation is necessary
In a natural cycle, the ovaries produce a single oocyte. In in vitro fertilization, the objective is to obtain multiple mature oocytes in a single cycle, to increase the chances of obtaining viable, good-quality embryos.
How ovarian stimulation is carried out
Ovarian stimulation involves daily administration of injectable hormonal medication for a period of approximately 8–12 days. The doses are established individually and can be adjusted along the way, depending on the patient’s response.
What happens in the patient’s body
Under the influence of treatment, the ovaries are stimulated to develop multiple follicles simultaneously. This process is carefully monitored and is completely reversible after the cycle is completed.
How stimulation is experienced by the patient
The experience of ovarian stimulation differs from one patient to another. The most frequently described manifestations are:
- a sensation of bloating or abdominal pressure,
- fatigue,
- breast tenderness,
- mild emotional changes.
These symptoms are, in most cases, transient and do not indicate a medical problem.
Monitoring during stimulation
The role of medical monitoring
Monitoring through ultrasounds and hormonal analyses allows the doctor to follow follicle development and to determine the optimal moment for the next stage of the IVF cycle.
How the patient experiences this stage
For the patient, monitoring can be experienced as demanding, both logistically and emotionally. Frequent visits to the clinic and waiting for results can generate anxiety, especially in the first IVF cycle. Clear and constant communication plays an essential role in reducing this stress.
What can happen during ovarian stimulation
Ovarian stimulation is one of the most closely monitored stages of the IVF cycle precisely because the body’s response can vary significantly from one patient to another. Although treatment is personalized, there are situations that can arise and that must be explained clearly to the patient to avoid misinterpretations and unnecessary anxiety.
Poor ovarian response: what it means for the patient
In some cases, the ovaries may respond less intensely than anticipated, developing a small number of follicles. For the patient, this situation can be discouraging, especially when initial expectations were high.
A poor ovarian response does not automatically mean a failed cycle. Oocyte quality is just as important as their number, and sometimes good results can be achieved even with a low number of oocytes. The doctor may adjust the strategy depending on evolution or may recommend changes for future cycles
Excessive ovarian response and the risk of hyperstimulation
At the opposite pole, some patients may respond excessively to treatment, developing a large number of follicles. Although this may seem, at first glance, an advantage, it requires careful monitoring to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
In such situations, the doctor may decide to adjust the doses or modify the treatment plan to protect the patient’s health. Clear communication is essential so that the patient understands that these decisions are made in the interest of her safety.
Situations in which the cycle may be postponed or stopped
There are rare cases in which an IVF cycle may be postponed or even stopped before the puncture, for medical reasons. Although this decision is difficult, it does not represent a failure, but a measure of protection and optimization of long-term chances.
Ovarian puncture: the moment when treatment becomes concrete
What ovarian puncture represents in an IVF cycle
Ovarian puncture is the stage through which mature oocytes are retrieved from the ovaries, under ultrasound guidance, so that they can be fertilized in the laboratory. From a medical standpoint, it is a well-standardized, safe, and short procedure. From the patient’s perspective, however, ovarian puncture marks the first moment when the result of treatment begins to take on a concrete form.
For many patients, this is the stage that concentrates the greatest emotional charge up to that point. After days or weeks of treatment and monitoring, the natural question appears: “How many oocytes were obtained?”
How ovarian puncture is carried out
The procedure is performed under sedation, so the patient does not feel pain. Technically, the doctor aspirates the follicular fluid containing the oocytes using a special ultrasound-guided needle. The intervention usually lasts between 15 and 20 minutes.
For the patient, the experience is often less difficult than she anticipated. The initial fear is frequently related to the unknown, not to the procedure itself. After waking up, most patients feel mild discomfort, comparable to a sensation of pressure or abdominal cramps.
Recovery after ovarian puncture
Recovery is, in the vast majority of cases, rapid. Patients are advised to avoid intense physical effort over the next 24–48 hours and to pay attention to the body’s signals. Discomfort decreases progressively, and normal activities can be resumed within a short interval.
Emotionally, this stage is marked by waiting for information from the laboratory. The number of oocytes retrieved is the first concrete result of the IVF cycle and has a significant impact on the patient’s psychological state.
Oocyte fertilization and embryo culture: the stage invisible to the patient
What happens in the laboratory after retrieval
After retrieval, the oocytes are evaluated and fertilized in the laboratory, either through conventional in vitro fertilization or through ICSI, depending on the medical indication. Subsequently, the resulting embryos are closely monitored for several days.
This stage is one of the most difficult to manage emotionally for the patient, because it involves a temporary loss of control. Everything that happens is invisible, and information reaches the patient in the form of periodic updates.
Why not all oocytes become embryos
It is important for the patient to understand that not every fertilized oocyte will develop into a viable embryo. This does not represent a failure of treatment, but reflects the biological reality of human reproduction.
At this stage, situations may occur such as:
- oocytes that do not fertilize,
- embryos that stop developing,
- significant differences in embryo quality.
All of these aspects are part of the natural process of biological selection, even under controlled laboratory conditions.
The emotional impact on the patient
For the patient, the days of embryo culture are often marked by anxiety and anticipation. Every call or message from the laboratory is awaited intensely. It is essential that the patient is correctly and realistically informed about what embryo development means and about the fact that the final outcome cannot be guaranteed.
Difficult medical decisions explained to the patient
During an IVF cycle, there are moments when the doctor and the patient must make important, sometimes difficult decisions that can influence the course of treatment and future strategies.
Why not all embryos obtained are transferred
Not all embryos obtained in an IVF cycle are transferred. Embryo selection is intended to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risks associated with multiple pregnancy.
How many embryos are transferred and how the decision is made
The decision regarding the number of embryos transferred is personalized and takes into account the patient’s age, embryo quality, and reproductive history. The goal is an ongoing pregnancy, not just a positive test.
Embryo freezing and implications for the future
Good-quality embryos that are not transferred can be frozen for later use. For the patient, this provides an important perspective: the possibility of future attempts without repeating the entire ovarian stimulation process.
Embryo transfer: the culmination of the IVF cycle
What embryo transfer is
Embryo transfer is the procedure through which one or more embryos are placed into the uterine cavity. Medically, it is a simple, painless procedure and does not require anesthesia.
For the patient, however, embryo transfer is the moment when all the medical and emotional effort concentrates into a single step.
How the patient experiences the transfer
Although the procedure is short and painless, the emotional intensity is very high. Patients often describe this moment as one of maximum hope, but also vulnerability.
After transfer, recommendations are generally moderate. Returning to daily activities is allowed, without excessive restrictions. Clinical experience shows that overprotection does not increase the chances of success, but can increase stress.
Waiting for the pregnancy test: the most emotionally difficult stage
What happens in the post-transfer period
The interval between embryo transfer and the pregnancy test—usually 10–14 days—is often described by patients as the most difficult part of the IVF cycle. During this period, the body does not provide clear signals, and interpreting symptoms becomes a source of anxiety.
Patients may notice:
- non-specific abdominal sensations,
- breast changes,
- fatigue, or the absence of any symptoms.
It is important to emphasize that the presence or absence of symptoms is not a reliable indicator of the outcome.
The importance of the correct timing of testing
The pregnancy test must be performed only at the time recommended by the doctor. Testing too early can produce false positive or false negative results, amplifying emotional stress.
The IVF cycle result: what follows after the test
Positive result
A positive pregnancy test brings joy, but also caution. The first weeks of pregnancy are closely monitored, and patients are encouraged to manage expectations realistically. Emotions are often intense, but also mixed with a certain reserve, especially in couples with a long history of infertility.
Negative result
A negative result is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult moments of the IVF experience. Emotional reactions are normal and can include sadness, frustration, or a sense of failure. It is essential for the patient to understand that an unsuccessful IVF cycle does not define the final prognosis.
Cycle analysis, carried out together with the doctor, provides valuable information for adjusting future therapeutic strategy.
Repeating IVF: decisions and perspectives
When and how the decision to repeat treatment is made
The decision to repeat an IVF cycle is personal and should be made after a period of reflection and medical analysis. The first cycle provides essential information about the body’s response and possible treatment optimizations.
What happens emotionally after an unsuccessful IVF cycle
An unsuccessful IVF cycle is one of the most difficult emotional experiences for a couple. Reactions are varied and entirely normal: deep sadness, frustration, anger, or a sense of exhaustion.
Normal emotional reactions after failure
Patients may feel the need to withdraw or may have difficulty relating to pregnancies around them. It is important that these reactions are recognized and accepted, not minimized.
The difference between the first and the second IVF cycle
The first IVF cycle is often lived with very high hopes. A second cycle is usually approached with more realism and a better understanding of the process, which can reduce emotional shock, even if disappointment remains.
When a break is needed
For some patients, a break between cycles is necessary not only medically, but also emotionally. This break can help restore balance and support clearer decisions regarding next steps.
Why the patient experience is essential to IVF success
Beyond protocols and statistics
IVF success is not determined exclusively by technology or protocols. The doctor–patient relationship, clear communication, and emotional support play an essential role in the therapeutic journey.
This is the principle that underlies my practice as Dr. Andreas Vythoulkas: treating each couple not only as a medical case, but as a complex human experience.
What the patient cannot control in an IVF cycle
One of the most difficult aspects of the IVF experience is accepting that, no matter how well the treatment is conducted, there are elements that cannot be controlled by either the patient or the doctor. Understanding this is essential for managing expectations realistically and for handling the emotional stress that comes with the process.
First, human biology remains a determining factor. Oocyte and sperm quality, the embryos’ ability to develop, and their ability to implant are influenced by natural mechanisms that cannot be fully modified through medical interventions. Even in optimal laboratory conditions, not all embryos will have the potential to continue developing.
Another difficult element to control is the individual response of the body to treatment. Two patients with an apparently similar profile may react differently to the same protocol. This variability does not reflect a failure of treatment, but individual biological particularities.
Also, implantation timing and early pregnancy development are extremely complex processes. A correctly performed embryo transfer does not automatically guarantee an ongoing pregnancy. This is often difficult for patients to accept, especially after a long and demanding journey.
The doctor’s role is to explain these limits clearly and honestly—not to reduce hope, but to anchor treatment in a realistic framework. Accepting that not everything can be controlled helps the patient maintain emotional balance and see IVF as a process, not as a test of personal worth.
The patient experience depending on age and diagnosis
The IVF experience is not identical for all patients. Age and the type of infertility influence both the medical strategy and how the patient lives through this process.
Patients under 35
In this category, chances of success are generally higher, and treatment is often experienced with a greater level of optimism.
Patients between 35 and 40
For these patients, IVF is often accompanied by time pressure. Monitoring and medical decisions are adapted to maximize chances within a more restricted biological interval.
Patients over 40
IVF after 40 requires a realistic approach, with clear discussions about chances, alternatives, and personalized options.
Predominantly male-factor infertility
In these cases, laboratory procedures play an essential role, and the emotional impact on the couple is often different, requiring a balanced and empathetic approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a complete IVF cycle take?
On average, an IVF cycle lasts between 4 and 6 weeks, from the initial evaluation to the pregnancy test.
Is IVF painful?
Most stages are not painful. Discomfort is usually mild and temporary.
Does an unsuccessful IVF cycle reduce future chances?
No. Each cycle provides important information that can increase the chances of later success.
Can I go to work during IVF?
In most cases, yes, with small adjustments during the monitoring period and immediately after retrieval.
Does IVF work on the first attempt?
For some patients, yes, but for many others more than one cycle is needed. IVF is a cumulative process, and each attempt provides important information for optimizing treatment.
Is strict bed rest recommended after embryo transfer?
No. Studies show that strict bed rest does not increase implantation chances. Resuming usual activities, without intense physical effort, is generally recommended.
What happens if no embryos are obtained?
This is a difficult, but possible, situation. The doctor will analyze the causes and discuss options for future cycles or therapeutic alternatives.
What happens to frozen embryos?
Frozen embryos can be used in subsequent cycles without repeating stimulation, depending on the established treatment plan.
The role of Dr. Andreas Vythoulkas in In Vitro Fertilization
In the context of in vitro fertilization, my role as a physician is not limited to applying a protocol or performing medical procedures. IVF is not a standard treatment that unfolds identically for all patients, but a complex journey that requires continuous adaptation, clear communication, and shared decisions at every stage.
During fertility consultations, my objective is to clarify the real diagnosis, explain the available options, and help each couple understand whether in vitro fertilization is the most appropriate solution at that moment. We discuss openly alternatives, real chances of success, biological limits, and what the IVF experience actually involves—not only medically, but also humanly.
Throughout treatment, it is essential that the patient does not feel alone in a process that can become overwhelming. From ovarian stimulation and monitoring, to ovarian puncture, embryo transfer, and waiting for the result, my role is to provide clear explanations, adjust the strategy when necessary, and help the patient understand why certain decisions are made at a specific moment.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this journey is continuity. In vitro fertilization is not reduced to a single cycle, nor to a single point result. Sometimes, more than one attempt is needed, reevaluation, and time. In these situations, the doctor–patient relationship becomes essential: we discuss openly a negative result, what it means medically and emotionally, and the real options that exist going forward.
My objective is not achieving a result at any cost, but building a coherent, realistic, and safe plan tailored to each couple. IVF is not only a medical procedure, but a life experience, and the doctor’s role is to be a trusted partner throughout this entire road, regardless of its duration or the direction it may take.
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