What treatment options are available to me?
The treatment that’s right for you will depend on your personal circumstances, fertility history, and family goals. Here’s a guide to help you understand what might be right for you.
IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a simpler, less invasive treatment where donor sperm is placed directly into the uterus during ovulation. It’s a good starting point for those with no significant fertility challenges, and involves minimal hormonal stimulation and no egg collection.
IVF or ICSI treatment offers higher success rates than IUI and is recommended where there are underlying fertility factors such as low ovarian reserve, blocked fallopian tubes, or where you’d like to create and freeze embryos for future pregnancies.
Reciprocal IVF is one of the most meaningful ways for a same-sex female or AFAB couple to build a family together. One partner provides the eggs, which are fertilised with donor sperm, and the other partner carries the pregnancy and gives birth. Both partners are part of the story from the very beginning.
The Evewell are proud to partner with LGBT Mummies.
Passionately campaigning for LGBTQIA+ family equality and providing a global community and safe haven for LGBTQIA+ people on the path to parenthood, LGBT Mummies offer resources, guidance, and private support groups for those building LGBTQIA+ families.
Our live birth rate is nearly 70% higher than the national average
We are proud to share that The Evewell is one of the top three performing fertility clinics in the UK, with a live birth rate of 47%* across all ages.
* vs. the HFEA national average of 28%, for live births per embryo transferred, excluding PGT-A tested embryos.
- The Evewell
- National average (HFEA)
Step 01
The Planning Stage
Step 01
The Planning Stage
Once you’ve had your initial consultation, where you’ll have discussed your family goals, you’ll receive a personalised treatment plan and costings.
Then you’ll have an embryology consultation to discuss how much donor sperm you need to purchase and the import process, as well as meeting one of our fertility nurses, who will show you how to use your medications.
Step 02
Donor sperm preparation
Step 02
Donor sperm preparation
The donor sperm will need to be procured from the sperm bank at least two weeks before your treatment commences, and arrive in the clinic before you start your stimulation medication.
Depending on the type of treatment you’re having, you’ll be advised on how much donor sperm to purchase. We’ll guide you through this process and help ensure everything is in place ahead of your egg collection.
Step 03
Ready to start?
Step 03
Ready to start?
We work around your life and your natural cycle. Your treatment only begins when you’re ready. All we ask is that you call us when your period starts. There’s no need for extra hormonal medication to fit your schedule to ours.
Step 04
Medication and monitoring
Step 04
Medication and monitoring
Once you begin your ovarian stimulation injections, you’ll attend the clinic every two to three days for blood tests and ultrasound scans.
Over this 10 to 14-day phase, your consultant will see you at least twice, and your progress will be reviewed by the whole team at our daily ‘All Hands’ meeting. If any adjustments are needed to your plan, you’ll be contacted by the nursing team by 7pm that evening.
Step 05
Egg collection
Step 05
Egg collection
Egg collection is a straightforward procedure performed under sedation and pain relief. It usually takes around 20-30 minutes. Wherever possible, your consultant will perform your egg collection in close collaboration with our embryology team
Step 06
Fertilisation and lab monitoring
Step 06
Fertilisation and lab monitoring
Once your eggs are collected, our embryologists will fertilise them with the donor sperm, and your embryos will be monitored in our time-lapse incubators for five to six days, allowing our team to select the best-quality embryos for transfer.
Step 07
Embryo transfer
Step 07
Embryo transfer
Before egg collection, you’ll have discussed the best approach for your transfer, including whether a fresh or frozen transfer is right for you, and whether you’ve opted for additional testing, such as PGT-A. The transfer itself is a straightforward procedure, usually over in around half an hour.
Step 07
Support and follow-up
Step 07
Support and follow-up
The two weeks following embryo transfer, AKA the ‘two-week wait‘, can feel like the longest of your life, and we know it. You’ll be prescribed medication to support the womb lining, and you may be asked to come in for monitoring blood tests.
We’re always here during this time, and our Support area offers guidance to help you through it.
Choosing your donor sperm
Selecting donor sperm is a personal decision, and one we’ll support you through. Whether you’re considering a known donor or anonymous donor sperm from a licensed sperm bank, there’s a lot to think about, from donor profiles, legal requirements, to how many vials you might need for future siblings.
What can I expect from The Evewell?
At The Evewell, we know that no two journeys to parenthood are the same. That’s why every treatment plan is built around you, your fertility history, your relationship, and your goals, so you always feel seen, not processed.
No one-size-fits-all. Every treatment plan is built around your unique circumstances, relationship, and goals. We take the time to understand what matters to you.
Our consultants are experts in both, so we look at the whole picture when helping you build your family, taking the time to make changes before starting treatment.
Your dedicated consultant is supported by daily team reviews that bring together the entire clinical team, including senior embryologists and nurses, to ensure you’re always getting the best possible care.
We don’t select patients by age or history, and we treat complex cases that other clinics have been unable to help with. Our success rates speak for themselves, and we publish them in full.
How much is treatment likely to cost?
We know that fertility treatment is not only an emotional commitment but a financial one too. With the ultimate goal of finding the quickest, least invasive way to help you build your family, we’ve made sure our prices are competitive and transparent.
When comparing prices between clinics, we always recommend checking that you have a like-for-like picture of what’s included, such as all required medications and blood tests.
Our Patient Services team is here to openly discuss costs with you, with no obligation.
Our team of experts are only one call away to offer support and help
Frequently asked questions
Completely. We’ve been proud to support LGBTQ+ families from day one, and it’s built into every part of how we work, not just an add-on. Our clinics are welcoming, our team is trained, and our treatment plans are designed with your journey in mind.
No. Same-sex couples and AFAB individuals access fertility treatment because a sperm donor is required, not because of a medical diagnosis of infertility. We welcome you from the very start of your journey, not only when problems arise.
IUI is simpler and less invasive, placing donor sperm directly into the uterus. IVF involves collecting the eggs, fertilising them in the laboratory and transferring the resulting embryo. IVF generally offers higher success rates, particularly where there are any underlying fertility factors. We’ll help you determine the right option for you during your initial consultation.
Absolutely. Reciprocal IVF is designed to involve both partners, one providing the eggs, the other carrying the pregnancy. It’s a truly shared experience and one we’re experienced in supporting.
Yes. In the UK, donor conception is regulated by the HFEA. If you use an anonymous sperm donor, your child will be able to access identifiable information about their donor once they turn 18. The donor has no legal parental rights or financial obligations.
We offer access to specialist fertility counsellors throughout your journey. For donor conception, counselling is available and something we encourage all patients to consider, particularly when navigating the emotional complexity of donor conception.
An IVF cycle takes around one month from the start of medication to your pregnancy test. IUI cycles are shorter. The overall timeline will depend on your individual treatment plan, how quickly donor sperm is sourced, and any additional testing required.
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