If you've been trying to conceive for a while, the word "IVF" probably comes up a lot. From your GP to well-meaning friends, everyone seems to have something to say about it. But what actually is IVF, how does it work, and is it the right path for you?

This article breaks it all down — clearly, honestly, and without the medical jargon.

What does IVF stand for?

IVF stands for in vitro fertilisation. The phrase "in vitro" is Latin and literally means "in glass" — referring to the fact that fertilisation happens outside the body, in a laboratory, rather than inside the fallopian tubes as it would naturally.

So when people ask what IVF stands for, the short answer is: fertilisation that happens in a lab.

What is IVF treatment?

IVF is a fertility treatment to help you get pregnant. Eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryo is placed in your womb (uterus).

It's one of the most well-known assisted conception treatments available, and it's been helping people start families since 1978. IVF is not a quick fix, and it's not always the first step. But for many couples, it's a real and meaningful option when natural conception hasn't happened. IVF may be recommended if you're having difficulty getting pregnant and other treatments have not worked.¹

Who might need IVF?

IVF can help in a range of situations. It was originally used in women where the fallopian tubes were blocked, absent or damaged, but it is now routinely used to treat subfertility due to a number of other causes. This includes common issues caused by endometriosis, unexplained infertility, male factor infertility, and ovulation problems that are difficult to treat by simpler means.

If you've been trying for a while without success and aren't sure why, your GP is the right first step. They can refer you for tests and help you figure out whether IVF is something to explore.

How does IVF work?

IVF works by taking the fertilisation process out of the body and into a lab, where conditions can be carefully controlled. Here's how it works, step by step.¹

Step 1 — Suppressing your natural cycle

You use an injection or nasal spray every day for 2 to 3 weeks to stop your ovaries producing eggs naturally. You'll have an ultrasound scan to check if the medicine has worked.¹ This gives the medical team full control over your cycle timing.

Step 2 — Stimulating your ovaries

Once your ovaries are no longer producing eggs naturally, you'll inject yourself every day for 2 weeks with medicine that increases your egg supply. You'll have tests or scans to check how well it's working.

In a normal cycle, your body produces just one egg. For IVF, the aim is to produce several, which increases the chances of a successful outcome.

Step 3 — Egg collection

A doctor at the clinic collects your eggs using a needle inserted through your vagina. This takes around 20 minutes and you'll be offered medicine that makes you sleepy (a sedative).

Step 4 — Sperm collection

Your partner is asked to give a sperm sample in a private room, usually while your eggs are being collected. If you're using donor sperm, it will be ready in the laboratory.

Step 5 — Fertilisation in the lab

The eggs are fertilised with the sperm in a laboratory. The clinic will call you the next day to let you know how many embryos have been made and how many they might be able to use.

Step 6 — Embryo transfer

After a few days, an embryo is put in your womb using a thin tube inserted through your vagina. If you have more than one embryo, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of putting in more than one.

The transfer procedure is generally painless — similar to a cervical smear — and on average takes up to 15 minutes.³

Finding out if you're pregnant

After an embryo is put in your womb, you'll be given a pregnancy test and a date to use it — around 16 days after the embryo transfer. If you have a positive test, you'll be asked to come back to the clinic for a scan when you're around 7 weeks pregnant.[¹]

Get your pregnancy test kit now!

How long does IVF take?

This is one of the most common questions couples ask before starting treatment. A full cycle of IVF takes around 3 to 6 weeks to complete.¹

That covers the suppression phase, ovarian stimulation, egg collection, fertilisation, and embryo transfer. But in practice, many people go through more than one cycle — so the overall journey can take considerably longer depending on your individual response and circumstances.

What is the success rate of IVF in the UK?

IVF success rates in the UK vary considerably, and the single biggest factor is age. Success rates with IVF reduce dramatically after a woman reaches 40. The success of IVF treatment is influenced by various factors — including the woman's age, the cause and duration of infertility, and whether the woman has been pregnant before.³

All fertility clinics in the UK are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which publishes national data on IVF outcomes. The HFEA holds centralised information about IVF treatments — including how many eggs were collected, how many embryos were transferred, and the outcome of any pregnancies.¹

As a general guide, live birth rates per embryo transfer in the UK look roughly like this:

• Under 35: around 30–35% per cycle

• 35–37: around 25–28%

• 38–39: around 18–22%

• 40–42: around 10–15%

• Over 42: significantly lower, and NHS funding is generally unavailable

These figures are per cycle, not per course of treatment. Some people conceive on their first cycle; others need two or three. Your chance of having a baby using IVF can also depend on your BMI, lifestyle factors such as smoking or drinking alcohol, and what's causing your fertility problems.

It's also worth knowing that frozen embryo transfers — using embryos stored from a previous cycle — can sometimes produce comparable results to fresh transfers, and may offer additional attempts without going through the full stimulation process again.

If you're unsure what your individual chances look like, your clinic will give you a personalised estimate before treatment begins. The HFEA's website also lets you compare success rates across licensed clinics in the UK.

Who can get IVF on the NHS?

You may be able to get IVF on the NHS if you're aged 42 or under and eligible for treatment. If you're aged 39 or under, you may be eligible for 3 full cycles of IVF on the NHS if you've been trying to get pregnant through regular sex without using contraception for at least 2 years, or you've tried 12 cycles of artificial insemination and at least 6 of those cycles used intrauterine insemination (IUI).¹

If you're aged 40 to 42, you may be eligible for 1 full cycle of IVF if you've been trying to get pregnant without contraception for at least 2 years, have tried 12 cycles of artificial insemination with at least 6 using IUI, and have not had IVF before.

It's worth knowing that eligibility isn't just about age. Local integrated care boards (ICBs) assess who is able to have IVF in their area and make the final decision about funding. Some ICBs may only offer IVF if you're under a certain age, a healthy weight, do not smoke, or do not have any children already.

The cost of private IVF in the UK

If you're not eligible for NHS-funded IVF, or you'd prefer not to wait, private treatment is available — but costs can add up quickly. Each private clinic sets its own prices, and they typically only offer IVF to people within a certain age range or BMI range.[¹] That means there's no fixed national price, and it pays to do your research before committing to a clinic.

As a rough guide, a single private IVF cycle in the UK typically costs between £3,000 and £5,000 for the core treatment. However, that base figure rarely tells the whole story. Additional costs commonly include:

• Fertility medications — often £500 to £1,500 on top of the cycle cost

• Initial consultations and diagnostic tests — blood tests, ultrasounds, semen analysis

• Embryo freezing and storage — usually charged annually, often £200–£400 per year

• ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) — an additional technique sometimes needed for male factor infertility, typically adding £1,000–£1,500

• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) — optional, but adds significant cost

For many couples, a realistic total cost for one complete private cycle — including medications and any add-ons — lands somewhere between £5,000 and £8,000.

Some clinics offer multi-cycle packages or refund programmes, which may offer better value if you're expecting to go through more than one attempt. These can sound appealing, but it's worth reading the terms carefully to understand what's included and what conditions apply.

Risks involved with IVF treatments

IVF is generally safe, but it's not without risks. When you have fertility medicine to stimulate ovulation, there's a small chance of too many eggs developing in your ovaries — known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Your ovaries can become large and painful and you may have to stop your current treatment cycle.[¹]

Other possible risks include having more than one baby — which can carry risks for you and your babies — or an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilised egg implants outside of the womb.[¹]

Your clinic will walk you through all of this before treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision.

Before you reach IVF — have you tried everything?

IVF is a significant step. It's physically demanding, emotionally intense, and often expensive. Before reaching that point, many couples benefit from exploring other options first.

That's where understanding your fertility window becomes important. Timing intercourse accurately during your most fertile days — and supporting sperm delivery in the right direction — can make a real difference, especially in the earlier stages of trying to conceive.

How TwoPlusFertility can support you

If you're not yet at the IVF stage, or you're looking for ways to actively support conception between cycles, TwoPlusFertility offers a range of products designed specifically for couples trying to conceive.

Trying to conceive can quickly start to feel like a chore. Timed sex, misaligned schedules, and even performance pressure often add up. The twoplus Applicator Extra takes that pressure off, so every fertile window becomes an opportunity again, not an obligation.

The twoplus Applicator Extra is a self-assisted artificial insemination kit that can be used from the comfort of your home. In just 3 simple steps, the Applicator Extra helps deposit sperm close to the cervix, giving nature a helping hand.

• No medical help or clinic visit needed

• Deposits semen close to the cervix, giving sperm a more direct path

• Designed for comfort with soft tip made of 100% medical grade silicone 

• Make your fertile window count

• Affordable alternative to try now: 3 steps. 15 minutes

Sources

1. NHS. IVF

2. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

3. University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust