# IVF and fertility treatment: what to expect > Who can get it on the NHS, what happens, and how to spot expensive extras that may not help. Category: Fertility & TTC · 6 min read · Written by the Splash team · Sources checked October 2026 URL: https://splash.care/learn/fertility-ttc/ivf-and-fertility-treatment ## Quick answer - IUI and IVF are established treatments. A full IVF cycle takes around 3 to 6 weeks. - NICE says IVF should be offered if you are under 42 and meet the criteria, but local NHS funding varies. - Choose a licensed HFEA clinic and ask for the evidence behind every add-on. - Look after your wellbeing. It is a lot to go through. If getting [pregnant](https://splash.care/learn/fertility-ttc/early-pregnancy-signs) has not happened, or you already know you need help, fertility treatment can feel like a maze. This guide covers the basics in plain English. It does not replace advice from your own fertility team. ## The main treatments - Medicines to help [ovulation](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/ovulation), or surgery for things like blocked tubes or [endometriosis](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/endometriosis) - Intrauterine insemination (IUI): sperm are placed into the womb around [ovulation](https://splash.care/learn/phases/ovulation). This is often used with donor sperm. - IVF (in vitro fertilisation): eggs are collected, fertilised with sperm in a lab, and an embryo is placed in the womb - ICSI: a single sperm is injected into an egg during IVF, often used for male factor problems ## What a cycle of IVF involves A full cycle usually takes around 3 to 6 weeks. You use injections or a nasal spray to calm your ovaries, then daily injections to grow more eggs, with scans and blood tests along the way. Eggs are collected with a needle through the [vagina](https://splash.care/learn/glossary/vagina), under sedation, in about 20 minutes. They are mixed with sperm in the lab and, a few days later, an embryo is transferred. Frozen embryos can be used later. ## Who can get IVF on the NHS? NICE guideline NG257 (published in March 2026, replacing CG156) says IVF should be offered if you have not reached your 42nd birthday and either have a diagnosed cause of infertility that other treatments cannot fix, or have unexplained fertility problems and have not conceived after 2 years of regular unprotected sex. People using artificial insemination qualify after 12 cycles, at least 6 of which are by IUI. Under 40, that means up to 3 full cycles of IVF (and up to 3 more can be considered if the first 3 do not work). At 40 or 41, it means 1 full cycle. > What your local NHS actually funds can be different. In England, local integrated care boards decide, and some set rules on age, weight (BMI), smoking or whether you already have a child. Ask your GP what applies where you live, and check the guidance for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland if you live there. ## Choosing a clinic - In the UK, clinics must be licensed by the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority). Check the HFEA website for their inspection reports and success rates. - Success depends mainly on age and the cause of infertility, so be wary of clinics that quote only their best numbers. - Ask for the total cost, what is included, and what happens if a cycle is cancelled. - Treatment abroad may not be regulated in the same way, so think carefully about safety. ## Be careful with “add-ons” Clinics may offer extras on top of IVF, often for hundreds of pounds. The HFEA rates them with a traffic light system. Many have not been shown to improve your chances of having a baby, and a few come with potential safety worries. At the time of writing, for example, PGT-A (screening embryos for chromosome problems), platelet-rich plasma and endometrial receptivity testing all have a red rating. Always ask: “What is the HFEA rating, and what is the evidence it will help me?” > **Splash says:** bring your cycle history, LH test results and any BBT charts to your first appointment. It gives the team a head start. And look after yourself, because treatment can be tough emotionally. ### When to see a doctor During treatment, get urgent help (call your clinic or 111) if you have severe bloating, rapid weight gain, a lot of tummy pain, vomiting, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). If you could be pregnant and have one-sided tummy pain or bleeding, it could be ectopic. Call 111 or go to A&E. **Quick quiz:** A clinic offers a £1,500 “add-on” that it says boosts success. What is the best question to ask? 1. Can I pay in instalments? 2. What is the HFEA rating and the evidence it works for me? 3. Do other people buy it? Answer: What is the HFEA rating and the evidence it works for me?. The HFEA rates add-ons by evidence. Many have not been proven to improve your chance of a baby. ## Sources 1. [NICE NG257 – Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (March 2026, replaces CG156)](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng257) 2. [NHS – IVF](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/) 3. [HFEA – Treatment add-ons with limited evidence (traffic-light ratings)](https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/treatment-add-ons/) 4. [HFEA – Explore fertility treatments](https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/) This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US).