IVF Treatment Costs

For couples who cannot conceive naturally, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process that requires both financial and emotional commitment. Today, nearly 15 out of every 100 couples undergo IVF treatment, highlighting how many people are directly affected by this method.

IVF treatments are generally costly, and prices vary significantly from one clinic to another. Several factors influence these costs, including:

The price of medications
The medical facilities offered by the clinic
The quality of consumable materials used
Differences in technology applied
The number of qualified staff
The experience of the physicians
Reported success rates

While IVF treatment costs did not show a major increase in 2014 compared to previous years, the difference in that year was mainly due to changes in Social Security Institution (SGK) coverage for patients with approved treatment reports.

Most of the standard procedures included in IVF do not drastically affect the cost, such as:

Ultrasound examinations (performed 2–3 times for monitoring)
Follicle tracking
Oocyte retrieval (OPU)
Fertilization of eggs in the laboratory (IVF)
Embryo transfer into the uterus

However, medications are a major factor in determining the price range. On the second day of menstruation, a blood test is performed to assess ovarian reserves. If the ovarian reserve is low, or if the patient is of advanced maternal age, more medication is required to stimulate egg production—leading to higher costs.

Additionally, procedures such as IMSI, embryoscope monitoring, or so-called “pregnancy vaccines” may be offered at some clinics as extra services, with additional charges. Patients should always confirm with the clinic in advance whether these procedures involve extra costs.

In Turkey, the Social Security Institution (SGK) covers part of the expenses under specific conditions, such as:

Medical reports proving that the couple cannot conceive naturally and require assisted reproductive treatment
The female partner being over 23 and under 40 years old
The treatment being performed in an SGK-contracted IVF clinic
At least 5 years of general health insurance coverage, with 900 days of premium payments
Documentation from a contracted health board proving that other treatment methods have failed in the past 3 years

Although IVF treatment costs are often considered high, when evaluating the complex procedures involved and the possibility of achieving a successful pregnancy, these expenses are not as excessive as they may initially appear.