Back to glossary

Fertility Glossary

Down-Regulation

Temporarily switching off the natural hormone cycle before IVF stimulation.

IVF & treatment

In a long protocol, a GnRH agonist is taken before stimulation so the clinic controls the timing of follicle growth and ovulation. Not every IVF cycle includes a down-regulation stage.

Also known as: down-reg, downregulation

Last reviewed: 23 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.

Explore in-depth guides

Learn more with Antega's fertility guides and articles.