When the Natural Path Needs a Little Support
Assisted reproduction is a targeted medical treatment designed to bring egg and sperm together under optimal conditions. From that point onward, the process follows nature: the embryo is transferred into the uterus, where it can implant and develop just as it would in a natural pregnancy.
We are here to support this special beginning and help create the opportunity for new life.
What Is IVF?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones to produce several mature eggs. These eggs are then retrieved and combined with specially prepared sperm in the laboratory. Fertilization occurs naturally in a culture dish (“in vitro”). If an embryo develops successfully, it is transferred into the uterus a few days later during an embryo transfer.
What Is ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized form of IVF. In this procedure, a single sperm cell is injected directly into the egg. ICSI is primarily used when sperm quality is impaired or when fertilization has not occurred with conventional IVF treatment.
Types of IVF & ICSI Treatment
Both IVF and ICSI can be performed using different treatment approaches, depending on the patient's individual circumstances.
1. IVF / ICSI with Ovarian Stimulation
This is the most common treatment approach. Hormonal medication is used to stimulate the ovaries so that several eggs mature simultaneously.
Goal: to retrieve multiple eggs and increase the chances of successful fertilization.
Advantages: more eggs available, higher likelihood of fertilization, and the possibility of cryopreservation (freezing) of surplus embryos or eggs.
2. IVF / ICSI in a Natural Cycle (Naturelle®)
In this approach, intensive hormonal stimulation is avoided. Only the egg that naturally matures during the menstrual cycle is used. This treatment option is also known as IVF Naturelle®, ICSI Naturelle®, or minimal stimulation IVF.
IVF or ICSI, Naturelle® or Stimulated Cycle – Which Option Is Right for Me?
The choice of treatment depends on a number of individual factors, including age, hormone levels, sperm quality, medical history, and personal preferences. Together, we will determine which approach is medically appropriate for you and discuss the realistic chances of success for each option.
Book Your Consultation AppointmentHow Does IVF or ICSI Treatment Work?
IVF and ICSI treatments consist of several carefully coordinated steps:
1. Preparation & Ovarian Cyst Screening
Before ovarian stimulation begins, a preparatory examination is performed. Usually between days 21 and 23 of the menstrual cycle, an ultrasound scan is carried out to ensure that no functional ovarian cysts are present.
2. Hormonal Preparation
At the beginning of the menstrual cycle (usually on day 2), the ovaries are stimulated with hormonal medication, depending on the treatment protocol, to promote the development of multiple eggs. In a natural cycle (Naturelle®), little or no stimulation is required.
3. Ultrasound and Hormone Monitoring
During the stimulation phase, regular ultrasound examinations and blood hormone tests are performed. This allows us to monitor follicle growth and determine the optimal time for triggering ovulation.
4. Egg Retrieval (Follicular Aspiration)
After ovulation has been triggered, the eggs are retrieved approximately 36 hours later during an outpatient procedure performed under light sedation.
5. Fertilization in the Laboratory
On the same day, a sperm sample is collected and prepared. In conventional IVF, eggs and sperm are placed together in the laboratory, allowing fertilization to occur naturally. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg using a microscopic technique known as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.
6. Embryo Transfer
The embryo transfer is usually performed between day 2 and day 5 after egg retrieval, depending on embryo development and the individual clinical situation. The procedure itself is typically quick and associated with minimal discomfort.
In certain situations, an immediate fresh embryo transfer may not be medically advisable. For example, the body may require additional recovery time, or hormonal conditions for implantation may be optimized in a later cycle. In such cases, fertilized eggs or embryos are cryopreserved (frozen) and transferred during a subsequent frozen embryo transfer cycle.
7. Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test is performed approximately 14 days after fertilization.
Example: Following a Day-5 embryo transfer, the blood pregnancy test is typically performed about 9 days after the transfer.
What Does IVF or ICSI Treatment Cost?
The total cost of IVF or ICSI treatment consists of medical services, anesthesia, laboratory procedures, medications, and, where applicable, additional optional services. In Germany, the medical costs for one treatment cycle generally range from approximately €2,800 for IVF to €4,500 for ICSI, depending on the individual circumstances and treatment approach.
During your medical consultation, we will provide a transparent and individualized cost estimate, as costs can vary significantly depending on the number of eggs retrieved and the specific treatment plan.
Health Insurance Coverage Under Section 27a SGB V
The contribution of statutory health insurance providers toward IVF or ICSI treatment is regulated under Section 27a of the German Social Code (SGB V). Under certain conditions, health insurers generally cover 50% of eligible treatment-related costs for up to three treatment cycles.
The requirements include a medical indication, marital status, statutory health insurance coverage for both partners, and the use of the couple’s own eggs and sperm (female partner aged 25–40 years; male partner aged 25–50 years). In addition, an approved treatment plan must be submitted to and authorized by the health insurance provider before treatment begins.
Typical Patient Contribution with Cost Sharing Under Section 27a SGB V
IVF cycle including embryo transfer: approximately €600
ICSI cycle including embryo transfer: approximately €800
Cancellation of treatment before egg retrieval: approximately €240
Electronic witnessing system Matcher®: approximately €53.55
Blood tests (LH, E2, P): approximately €38 each
Infectious disease screening: approximately €48 per partner
Anesthesia: approximately €133
Medications
Under Section 27a SGB V, medications are generally partially reimbursed, resulting in a patient contribution. Some medications, particularly those prescribed off-label, may need to be paid for entirely by the patient.
Additional Treatment Options & Self-Pay Laboratory Services
Depending on your medical situation and personal preferences, supplementary services may be beneficial during IVF or ICSI treatment. These optional self-pay services will be discussed with you individually and are not mandatory components of treatment.
Cryopreservation of Fertilized Eggs
Unused fertilized eggs at the pronuclear (PN) stage can be frozen and stored for future transfer cycles.
Assisted Hatching
Assisted hatching supports the embryo in breaking through its outer shell, potentially facilitating implantation.
Embryo Culture in a Time-Lapse Incubator
Continuous monitoring of embryo development without removing embryos from the incubator, including extended blastocyst culture up to day 5.
PICSI
A specialized physiological sperm selection method that may help optimize fertilization potential.
Polar Body Biopsy
Genetic analysis of the egg cell to identify certain chromosomal abnormalities.
Egg Activation (Calcium Ionophore)
An additional laboratory procedure that may be considered when fertilization repeatedly fails to occur.
EmbryoGlue®
A specialized embryo transfer medium containing hyaluronic acid that may support implantation.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Transfer of a previously frozen and thawed embryo.
Re-Cryopreservation After Thawing (PN Stage)
Re-freezing of fertilized eggs after thawing within the same treatment cycle when medically appropriate.
Second Cryopreservation Within the Same Cycle
If medically indicated, an additional cryopreservation procedure may be performed within the same treatment cycle.
Your Path to Assisted Reproduction – Scientifically Guided, Personally Supported
We provide individualized and transparent advice on which treatment options are medically appropriate for your situation. Assisted reproduction is more than a medical procedure. It is a personal journey, and we are committed to guiding you through every step with expertise, structure, and compassionate care.
Book Your Assisted Reproduction Consultation Now
How long does an IVF or ICSI treatment cycle take?
A treatment cycle typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks, from preparation at the beginning of the cycle to the pregnancy test. The hormonal stimulation phase usually lasts approximately 10 to 14 days. The pregnancy test is performed around 14 days after fertilization.
Is IVF or ICSI painful?
Hormonal stimulation is generally well tolerated. Egg retrieval is usually performed under light sedation, meaning that the procedure itself is not painful. Some women experience mild abdominal discomfort after the egg collection, but these symptoms typically resolve quickly.
What are the success rates of IVF and ICSI?
The success rates of IVF and ICSI are generally comparable. Following the first embryo transfer, the average pregnancy rate is approximately 32% per transfer. With additional transfers, the cumulative chance of pregnancy increases significantly. Statistically, about one in two patients becomes pregnant after two to three embryo transfers, depending on age and individual fertility factors. Detailed statistics are available through the German IVF Registry (D.I.R.).
How does age affect the success rate?
Age is one of the most important factors influencing treatment success. Women under the age of 35 generally have higher pregnancy rates per embryo transfer, while success rates begin to decline noticeably from around the age of 38 to 40, as both the quantity and quality of eggs naturally decrease.
For women over the age of 40, pregnancy rates per embryo transfer are typically around 15–20%, while the risk of miscarriage increases with age.
How does a frozen embryo transfer (FET) work?
During a frozen embryo transfer (FET), a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred into the uterus. The uterine lining is prepared either within the natural menstrual cycle or with hormonal support. The process is generally less demanding than a fresh IVF cycle, as no additional egg retrieval is required.
Is a frozen embryo transfer as successful as a fresh embryo transfer?
According to current registry data, the pregnancy rate per embryo transfer is approximately 31% in both fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles. Data from the German IVF Registry therefore indicate that the chances of success with frozen embryo transfer are comparable to those of fresh embryo transfer. Individual prognosis, however, depends on factors such as the woman’s age, embryo quality, and overall medical circumstances.
Source: German IVF Registry (D.I.R.), Annual Report/Special Edition 2024 (data year 2023).