IVF cycle

An IVF cycle is the complete sequence of steps involved in one attempt at IVF treatment: ovarian stimulation with fertility medicines, monitoring by ultrasound and blood tests, a trigger injection, egg retrieval, fertilisation in the laboratory, embryo culture, and either a fresh or later frozen embryo transfer. Some cycles end with a freeze-all approach, where embryos are frozen for transfer in a later cycle. The length of an IVF cycle varies but commonly spans a few weeks from the start of stimulation to embryo transfer, with a pregnancy blood test around two weeks after transfer. Not every cycle reaches transfer; a cycle may be cancelled or converted to freeze-all based on the individual's response, and this is a clinical safety decision rather than a treatment failure in itself.

Also known as: cycle of IVF, fresh IVF cycle

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.