IVF and assisted reproduction in Switzerland: the guide to understanding and getting started

In Switzerland, about one couple in six consults at some point for difficulty conceiving. Medically assisted reproduction covers all the techniques that help achieve a pregnancy when it does not occur naturally: ovulation stimulation, insemination, in vitro fertilisation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, freezing of embryos or eggs, and preimplantation genetic testing. These techniques are governed by a precise federal law that sets out who can access them, what is permitted and what is not. This guide helps you understand infertility, the assessment, the different techniques, the legal framework, success rates, insurance coverage, the emotional experience and the organisation of care in the Swiss cantons.

It is advisable to consult after a year of regular intercourse without pregnancy, or after six months if the woman is over 35 or there is a known problem. The assessment always involves both partners. Depending on the cause, the doctor offers simple stimulation, intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilisation, with or without ICSI. In Switzerland, basic insurance covers the assessment and, under certain conditions, up to three inseminations per pregnancy; in vitro fertilisation is at the couple's expense. Sperm donation is permitted for married couples; egg donation, embryo donation and surrogacy are currently prohibited. Budget guidelines are on our page on IVF and assisted reproduction prices in Switzerland.

Medically assisted reproduction refers to medical methods that achieve a pregnancy by intervening in the meeting between egg and sperm. Some take place inside the body, such as insemination, in which prepared sperm is placed in the uterus at the time of ovulation. Others take place in the laboratory, such as in vitro fertilisation, in which retrieved eggs are fertilised outside the body before the embryo is transferred to the uterus.

In Switzerland, these practices are governed by the Federal Act on Medically Assisted Reproduction, and the centres that perform them must hold a cantonal authorisation. Assisted reproduction is always part of a medical approach: it aims to treat infertility or avoid passing on a serious disease, and it is reserved for couples who meet the conditions set by law.

The first birth after in vitro fertilisation took place in 1978 in the United Kingdom, opening a new era in infertility treatment. The following years saw the development of ovarian stimulation, ultrasound-guided egg retrieval and embryo freezing, then, in the early 1990s, ICSI, which revolutionised the treatment of male infertility. More recently, vitrification has considerably improved the storage of eggs and embryos.

In Switzerland, practice was regulated by the Constitution and then by the Federal Act on Medically Assisted Reproduction, which came into force in 2001, was amended notably in 2017 to permit preimplantation genetic testing, and was adapted in 2022 with marriage for all.

Each month, under the influence of hormones, a follicle develops in the ovary and releases an egg at ovulation, around the middle of the cycle. The egg is captured by the fallopian tube, where it can meet sperm. If it is fertilised, the embryo formed divides for a few days as it travels down to the uterus, then implants in the uterine lining about six to seven days after fertilisation.

Every stage can be disrupted: absence of ovulation, a blocked tube, insufficient sperm, difficult implantation. Even in a fertile couple, the chances of pregnancy per cycle do not exceed about twenty per cent. Understanding this process helps to grasp what each assisted reproduction technique seeks to correct.

The most favourable period for conception spans about six days: the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation. Sperm can survive several days in the female reproductive tract, whereas the egg lives for only about a day. Regular intercourse every two or three days throughout the cycle is enough to cover this window without having to calculate the date of ovulation precisely.

Urine ovulation tests can help identify the favourable moment, but they are not essential and can add stress. In the case of irregular cycles, a consultation is useful.

The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of the period. During the first phase, a follicle develops under the influence of FSH and produces oestradiol, which thickens the uterine lining. In the middle of the cycle, an LH surge triggers ovulation. During the second phase, the empty follicle produces progesterone, which prepares the uterus for implantation. If there is no pregnancy, hormone levels fall and the period begins. Assisted reproduction treatments build on these mechanisms, stimulating or controlling them.

Very irregular, very long or absent cycles often signal an ovulation disorder, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, a thyroid disorder, excess prolactin or very low weight. In these situations, there is no point waiting twelve months before consulting: a prompt assessment identifies the cause and can often treat it simply.

• "It's almost always the woman's problem": male causes are just as common.
• "IVF works every time": the chances depend greatly on age.
• "You just need to relax": stress does not generally explain infertility.
• "Children born through assisted reproduction are fragile": the vast majority are healthy.
• "IVF always produces twins": single embryo transfer is favoured.
• "You can wait until 40 without worrying": fertility falls markedly after 35.

Information about assisted reproduction abounds online, with testimonials and advice of varying quality. Reliable sources are authorised reproductive medicine centres, your gynaecologist, reproductive medicine societies, the Federal Office of Public Health for the legal framework, and patient associations. Be wary of promises of guaranteed success, miracle supplements and offers that circumvent Swiss law.

Infertility is a couple's matter: the causes may concern one partner, the other or both, and the assisted reproduction journey involves both. The assessment is therefore carried out simultaneously in the woman and the man. This approach avoids lengthy tests in the woman when the cause sometimes lies with the man, and vice versa. It also allows decisions and the experience of the journey, often long and demanding, to be shared.

At the heart of the assisted reproduction journey is a shared plan to have a child. Taking time to talk about it together, clarify what each person wants, what they are prepared to go through and how far they wish to go helps make joint decisions and get through difficult stages. This dialogue, sometimes supported by a psychologist, often strengthens the couple, whatever the outcome. Regularly setting aside time to take stock together, away from medical appointments, helps you stay on course and truly listen to each other, day after day.

• Claire and Marc, 31 and 33, two years without pregnancy, irregular cycles: simple stimulation, pregnancy on the third cycle.
• Sophie and Luca, 36 and 38, unexplained infertility: three inseminations, then IVF, pregnancy after a frozen embryo transfer.
• Nora and Samir, 34 and 35, very poor sperm quality: IVF with ICSI.
• Julie and Thomas, 32 and 34, tubes blocked after an infection: straight to IVF.
• Anne and Pierre, 41 and 43: IVF with her own eggs, honest information about limited chances.
• Léa and Emma, 33 and 35, married: insemination with donor sperm.
• Paul, 29, before chemotherapy: sperm freezing.
• Inès, 34, without a partner: egg freezing for a future plan.

Ovulation disorders are among the most common causes: polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal disorders of the pituitary or thyroid, significant underweight or very intensive sport can block ovulation. They often respond well to suitable stimulation. Reduced ovarian reserve, linked to age or sometimes premature, reduces the number of eggs available and the response to treatment.

The tubes can be blocked or damaged after infection, surgery or endometriosis, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting. The uterus may have polyps, fibroids distorting the cavity, a septum or adhesions, which interfere with implantation and are often treated by hysteroscopy.

For a pregnancy to start, the embryo must implant in the lining of the uterus, the endometrium. Certain abnormalities of the uterine cavity can interfere with this stage: polyps, fibroids distorting the cavity, a uterine septum, or adhesions after infection or curettage. They are looked for by ultrasound and, if needed, by hysteroscopy, an examination of the inside of the uterus with a fine camera. Many can be treated during the same hysteroscopy, under light anaesthesia, which improves the chances of implantation.

The tubes can be blocked or damaged after infection, ectopic pregnancy, surgery or endometriosis. When both tubes are blocked, natural pregnancy and insemination are impossible, and IVF is the treatment of choice, as it bypasses the tubes. A dilated, fluid-filled tube, called a hydrosalpinx, can reduce IVF success rates; surgical treatment is sometimes offered before embryo transfer.

Certain general diseases affect fertility: thyroid disorders, excess prolactin, poorly controlled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and kidney or liver diseases. Screening for and treating them is part of the assessment. In men and women alike, good control of these diseases improves the chances of pregnancy and the course of the pregnancy. Mention all your illnesses and treatments at the consultation.

In men, infertility most often shows as sperm abnormalities: an insufficient number of sperm, reduced motility, abnormal shape, or a combination of these. The causes vary: varicocele, after-effects of infection or an undescended testicle in childhood, hormonal disorders, genetic causes, cancer treatments, smoking, alcohol, excess weight, heat, certain medicines or anabolic steroids.

In the most severe forms, there is no sperm in the ejaculate. Depending on the cause, sperm can sometimes be retrieved directly from the testicle. See our page on testicular biopsy.

The andrologist, often trained as a urologist, is the specialist in male fertility. They become involved when the semen analysis is abnormal: they examine the testicles, look for a varicocele, infection, obstruction or hormonal disorder, and offer treatment where possible, such as varicocele correction or hormone treatment. If there is no sperm, they can carry out surgical retrieval from the testicle to allow ICSI. See our page on testicular biopsy.

A varicocele is a dilation of the veins surrounding the testicle, more common on the left. It can raise the local temperature and impair sperm production. It is common, and not all varicoceles reduce fertility. When it is significant and associated with sperm abnormalities, correcting it by surgery or embolisation can improve sperm quality in some men. The andrologist assesses the value of this treatment according to the couple's situation and the partner's age.

In an assisted reproduction journey, attention often focuses on the woman, who undergoes most of the treatments and tests. Yet the man has an essential role: having his own assessment without delay, adopting a lifestyle that favours sperm quality, being present at important appointments, supporting his partner and expressing his own emotions too. Men often experience infertility with a sense of helplessness or guilt, sometimes in silence; they can also benefit from support.

Sperm production takes about three months, so lifestyle changes take a few months to show in the semen analysis. Stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, avoiding drugs and anabolic steroids, losing weight if overweight, avoiding prolonged exposure to heat — such as very hot baths or a laptop on the knees — and taking moderate physical activity can improve sperm quality. Certain medicines can also affect it; talk to your doctor.

Some medicines can impair fertility or are not advised during pregnancy. Before trying for a child, review your treatments with your doctor, without stopping them yourself. In men, certain treatments, such as testosterone used outside its indications or anabolic steroids, can greatly reduce sperm production. In women, some medicines need to be adjusted before pregnancy.

The woman's age is the factor that most influences the chances of pregnancy, naturally or with assisted reproduction. The number of eggs decreases from birth, and their quality declines over the years, particularly after 35, with more chromosomal abnormalities, more miscarriages and a weaker response to treatment. After 40, the chances per IVF cycle with your own eggs fall considerably, and they become very low after 43 to 44.

That is why it is advisable to consult earlier after 35, and not to delay IVF too long as age advances. Freezing eggs at a younger age is an option for women considering pregnancy later.

After 40, the chances of pregnancy with your own eggs fall considerably, because of the decline in the number and quality of eggs. IVF remains possible, but the chances per attempt are lower, miscarriages more common, and centres carefully assess ovarian reserve before offering treatment. It is important not to delay consulting and to receive honest information about the real chances.

Egg donation, which would considerably improve the chances at this age, is currently prohibited in Switzerland. Couples concerned can ask a centre about changes in the law and the options open to them.

The man's age also affects fertility, but more gradually: sperm volume and motility decrease, the time to conception lengthens and certain genetic risks increase slightly after 45 to 50. A semen analysis is part of the assessment, whatever the age. When the female partner is young and the man older, the chances often remain good, but a full assessment is useful.

Even young couples can experience infertility, for example with damaged tubes, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome or a sperm abnormality. Young couples often have the best chances of success with assisted reproduction, provided they do not wait too long and have a full assessment. A year without pregnancy justifies consulting, even before 30.

In blended families, where one partner already has children, plans for a shared child may encounter fertility difficulties, linked to age or a previous vasectomy, for example. After a vasectomy, surgical reversal or sperm retrieval for ICSI can be considered. The assessment is carried out as for any couple, taking each partner's history into account.

A man who has had a vasectomy can regain the possibility of having children in two ways: by surgery that reconnects the ducts, called vasovasostomy, whose chances depend on the time since the vasectomy, or by retrieving sperm from the testicle or epididymis for use in ICSI. The choice depends on the partner's age, the time elapsed and the number of children wanted. An andrologist will advise you.

The assessment begins with a detailed interview: how long you have been trying, cycles, previous pregnancies and miscarriages, infections, surgery, illnesses, treatments and lifestyle. The gynaecological examination and pelvic ultrasound assess the uterus and ovaries and count the small follicles at the start of the cycle, reflecting ovarian reserve. Hormone blood tests, taken at the start of the cycle, measure in particular anti-Müllerian hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and oestradiol.

Examination of the tubes, by hysterosalpingography or contrast ultrasound, checks their patency. Depending on the situation, hysteroscopy — an examination of the inside of the uterus with a fine camera — or laparoscopy may complete the assessment.

Your community gynaecologist often plays a central role: they carry out the first assessment, refer to the fertility centre, may carry out some stimulation monitoring in liaison with the centre, then follow the pregnancy after success. Good communication between the gynaecologist and the centre, with reports passed on, makes the journey easier, particularly for couples living far from the centre.

The semen analysis is the central test of the male assessment. It measures ejaculate volume and sperm concentration, motility and shape. A sperm morphology test and sometimes a sperm preparation test, which assesses the sperm usable after preparation, complete the analysis. As semen varies naturally, an abnormal result is generally rechecked after a few weeks.

If there is an abnormality, a urologist or andrologist examines the testicles, looks for a varicocele, prescribes hormone tests and sometimes an ultrasound or genetic tests. This assessment identifies a treatable cause and guides the choice of the most suitable technique.

Assessment results are rarely black and white. Low ovarian reserve does not mean pregnancy is impossible, but that you should not wait too long and the response to stimulation will be more limited. An abnormal semen analysis does not rule out natural pregnancy. The doctor interprets all the results taking into account age, duration of infertility and your history, to propose a strategy. Do not hesitate to ask for detailed explanations.

Endometriosis, the presence of tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus, affects many women and can reduce fertility by damaging the tubes, ovaries or pelvic environment. Care depends on the extent of the disease, pain, age and ovarian reserve. Surgery can improve fertility in some cases, but repeated surgery on the ovaries can also reduce ovarian reserve.

Insemination may be offered in mild forms, and IVF in more extensive forms or after failure. Coordination between a gynaecologist specialising in endometriosis and the fertility centre is often useful.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common causes of ovulation disorders. It combines irregular cycles, sometimes signs of excess male hormones, and many small follicles on ultrasound. Weight loss, if needed, often improves ovulation. Simple ovulation stimulation is very effective in many cases. If it fails, insemination or IVF is offered, with particular attention to the risk of hyperstimulation.

In the case of ovulation disorders, the first treatment often consists of stimulating ovulation with tablets or small hormone injections, with ultrasound monitoring and sometimes blood tests to check the growth of one or two follicles. When the follicle is mature, ovulation is triggered and intercourse is timed.

This simple treatment is effective in many women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Ultrasound monitoring is essential to avoid excessive stimulation, which would risk a multiple pregnancy.

During insemination, sperm from the partner — or from a donor for married couples concerned — is collected the same day, then prepared in the laboratory to select the most motile sperm. It is placed in the uterus using a fine catheter at the time of ovulation, triggered after mild stimulation. The procedure takes a few minutes and is painless.

Insemination requires at least one open tube and sperm of sufficient quality. It is often offered for several cycles before moving on to IVF. See our page on artificial insemination.

For married couples in which the partner has no usable sperm, or for married female couples, insemination with donor sperm may be offered. The sperm comes from an authorised sperm bank, with selected and tested donors. The couple receives in-depth information and counselling, notably on the child's right to know their origins. The procedure is the same as a standard insemination. See our page on artificial insemination.

After three to six insemination cycles without pregnancy, the chances per cycle decrease and IVF is generally offered. For women over 38 to 40, or when ovarian reserve is low, the move to IVF is often quicker, so as not to lose time. With blocked tubes, severe male infertility or extensive endometriosis, IVF is offered from the outset. The doctor reassesses the strategy after each series of cycles.

IVF begins with stimulation of the ovaries for about ten days to obtain several eggs. When the follicles are mature, ovulation is triggered and the eggs are retrieved by puncture, through the vagina, under sedation. In the laboratory, they are brought into contact with sperm, or injected one by one in the case of ICSI. The embryos obtained are cultured for three to five days.

One embryo is then transferred to the uterus, and the other good-quality embryos are frozen for later transfers. A pregnancy test is carried out about two weeks after transfer. See our pages on IVF in Switzerland and in vitro fertilisation.

Stimulation medicines most often come as injector pens that are easy to use and self-injected under the skin of the abdomen, usually in the evening. A nurse at the centre shows the technique during a training session. Other medicines, added during stimulation, prevent premature ovulation. The most common side effects are bloating, a feeling of heaviness, tender breasts, fatigue and sometimes mood swings.

Ultrasounds and blood tests every two or three days allow doses to be adjusted and the timing of triggering to be chosen. These appointments often take place early in the morning, to fit around work.

Nurses and midwives at fertility centres support the couple day to day: teaching injections, organising monitoring, answering questions between appointments and providing support during periods of waiting. They are often the most accessible people in the journey. Do not hesitate to call on them with any practical question or worry.

There are several stimulation protocols for IVF. The most widely used today combine hormone injections that grow several follicles with a medicine that blocks premature ovulation for a few days. Other, longer protocols begin by putting the ovaries to rest. For women with low ovarian reserve, gentler or adapted stimulation may be offered. The choice of protocol and doses depends on age, ovarian reserve, weight and previous responses.

The centre adjusts doses according to ultrasounds and blood tests. A protocol is not set in stone: it can be modified from one cycle to the next to improve the response.

In some women, notably those with low ovarian reserve or over 40, stimulation produces few eggs. The cycle may then be continued with few follicles, adapted or sometimes cancelled if the chances seem too low. Several strategies exist for these situations, but none fully compensates for a very low reserve. The doctor will explain the chances and options honestly.

In other women, particularly young women or those with polycystic ovary syndrome, stimulation can cause very many follicles to develop, with a risk of hyperstimulation. The centre then adjusts doses, chooses a suitable trigger and may suggest freezing all embryos for later transfer, which greatly reduces this risk while preserving the chances.

Egg retrieval takes place about thirty-six hours after the trigger injection, at a precise time. It is done under sedation or light anaesthesia, through the vagina, using an ultrasound-guided needle that aspirates the fluid from the follicles containing the eggs. It takes about twenty minutes. The partner collects sperm the same day, unless frozen sperm is used.

After a short period of monitoring, you go home accompanied. Period-like pain and light bleeding are common for one or two days. The centre tells you the next day how many eggs have been fertilised.

• Keep precisely to the time of the trigger injection.
• Come having fasted according to instructions, for the sedation.
• Arrange for someone to take you home.
• Do not drive on the same day.
• Plan one or two days of rest.
• For the partner, observe the abstinence period indicated before collection.

After egg retrieval, period-like pain and light bleeding are common. Contact the centre if you have significant pain, fever or heavy bleeding.

Transfer generally takes place three to five days after egg retrieval, or in a later cycle for a frozen embryo. It is a quick, painless procedure: under ultrasound guidance, a fine catheter places the embryo in the uterine cavity. There is no need to lie down for long afterwards; a normal life, without strenuous exertion, is advised. Supportive hormone treatment, often progesterone-based, continues until the pregnancy test, and beyond if it is successful.

The lining of the uterus, or endometrium, must be thick and receptive enough at the time of transfer for the embryo to implant. Its thickness is checked by ultrasound during stimulation or preparation for a frozen embryo transfer. When it remains too thin, the doctor may adjust hormone treatment, look for a cause such as adhesions, or suggest postponing transfer. Endometrial receptivity tests offered by some laboratories are of debated value; ask the doctor whether they are useful in your case.

After IVF, natural progesterone production may be insufficient. Supportive treatment, often as vaginal pessaries, gel or injections, is therefore prescribed from egg retrieval or transfer until the pregnancy test, then continued for a few weeks if pregnancy occurs. It is important to take it regularly and not to stop it without the centre's advice. It can cause tender breasts, fatigue or vaginal discharge, which do not indicate whether a pregnancy has started.

The pregnancy test is generally a blood test, carried out about two weeks after egg retrieval or nine to eleven days after a blastocyst transfer, according to the centre's instructions. It measures the pregnancy hormone. A positive result is often rechecked two days later to confirm that the level is rising. Urine tests taken too early can give false results, particularly after a trigger injection containing the same hormone.

The days between transfer and pregnancy test are often experienced as the hardest of the journey. Every sensation is interpreted, yet symptoms are often due to hormone treatment and do not show whether pregnancy has started. Early urine tests can be misleading, particularly after a trigger injection. The blood test, taken on the date given by the centre, gives a reliable answer.

Keeping busy, surrounding yourself with support, sharing your emotions with your partner or someone close, and accepting help from a psychologist if needed help get through this period.

When the test is positive, a blood test is often repeated to check how the pregnancy hormone is progressing, then an ultrasound at around six to seven weeks confirms the presence of the embryo in the uterus and heart activity. Supportive hormone treatment continues for a few weeks. Afterwards, follow-up is provided by the gynaecologist or midwife, as for any pregnancy.

Pregnancies after assisted reproduction proceed normally in the vast majority of cases. Slightly closer follow-up may be offered depending on age, twins or certain medical situations. Many couples feel particular anxiety after a long journey; talking to the care team helps.

During and after an assisted reproduction journey, usual gynaecological follow-up remains important: screening smears, breast examination and reviewing contraception once plans for a child have been achieved or put on hold. Tell your gynaecologist about the treatments received and any complications. This follow-up also allows you to take stock of plans for a second child or fertility preservation.

After a long assisted reproduction journey, the arrival of the child is an immense joy, but it can also come with fatigue, anxiety or difficulty enjoying it fully after so much waiting. These emotions are normal. Support from the midwife, paediatrician and, if needed, a psychologist helps you experience the first months calmly. Some parents also feel the need to share their experience to help other couples.

Couples who have had a child through assisted reproduction often consider a second. If embryos were frozen during the first IVF, a frozen embryo transfer can be carried out without new stimulation, which greatly simplifies the journey. The legal storage period for embryos must be taken into account. Sometimes a natural pregnancy occurs after assisted reproduction. If a new IVF is needed, age at the time of the new attempt influences the chances.

ICSI is a variant of IVF in which the biologist selects a sperm and injects it directly into each mature egg using a micropipette under the microscope. It allows fertilisation even when sperm are very few or have poor motility, or when they have been retrieved directly from the testicle. It is also used after fertilisation failure in conventional IVF, or for frozen eggs.

ICSI is very widely used today. It does not guarantee fertilisation of all eggs or embryo quality, which also depend on egg quality and therefore on age.

After fertilisation, embryos are observed every day. On the second or third day, they have a few cells; on the fifth or sixth day, the most progressive embryos reach the blastocyst stage, with more than a hundred cells and a cavity. Transfer at the blastocyst stage allows the embryos with the best potential to be chosen, but not all embryos reach this stage.

Some laboratories use incubators with cameras that film development continuously, to evaluate embryos better. Their value in improving pregnancy chances remains debated. The biologist will explain the number and quality of embryos obtained.

During IVF, the number of eggs retrieved varies greatly from one woman to another and from one cycle to another, from a few to more than fifteen. Not all are mature, not all are fertilised, and not all embryos reach the blastocyst stage. That is why people often speak of a funnel: from a certain number of eggs, a smaller number of transferable embryos is obtained. Egg quality, which depends mainly on age, counts as much as their number.

Sometimes few or no eggs are fertilised in conventional IVF. This may be linked to egg or sperm quality, or to difficulty in the two meeting. In the next cycle, ICSI is generally offered. Fertilisation failure is a major disappointment, but it also provides useful information for adapting the strategy.

Biologists assess embryos according to their rate of development and their appearance under the microscope. These criteria help choose the embryo to transfer first, but they cannot predict with certainty whether it will result in pregnancy: an embryo graded average may implant, and an embryo graded excellent may not. Ask the biologists to explain their assessment, without seeing it as a guarantee or a sentence.

Behind every IVF, the reproductive biology laboratory team plays an essential role: it prepares the sperm, locates the eggs in the retrieved fluid, performs fertilisation or ICSI, monitors embryo development, assesses embryos, and freezes and thaws them. The quality of the laboratory, its equipment and its team directly influences results. The biologists can explain the number and quality of your embryos and answer your questions about their development.

Vitrification, an ultra-rapid freezing technique, allows embryos and eggs to be stored with an excellent survival rate. Embryos not transferred during IVF can thus be used in later cycles, without new stimulation or egg retrieval, which increases the cumulative chances of pregnancy from a single stimulation.

A frozen embryo is transferred in a natural cycle or one prepared with hormones, when the uterine lining is receptive. In Switzerland, the storage period is limited by law; the centre will inform you of the time limits and extension procedures.

For a frozen embryo transfer, the uterus is prepared to receive the embryo at the right time: either by following the natural cycle, with a few ultrasounds to identify ovulation, or with hormone treatment that prepares the lining. The embryo is thawed on the day of transfer or the day before, then transferred using the same technique as a fresh transfer. The pregnancy test is carried out about two weeks later. This cycle is much lighter than a full IVF.

In certain situations, the centre suggests not transferring an embryo during the stimulation cycle and freezing all the embryos for transfer in a later cycle. This is the case when there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, when the uterine lining is not favourable, or when preimplantation genetic testing is carried out. This strategy reduces certain risks and does not reduce the chances of success in these indications.

When the plan to become parents has been achieved, or if the couple no longer wishes to use their frozen embryos, several decisions are possible under the law: having them destroyed or, with the couple's consent, making them available for research under the stem cell research law. Donation to another couple is prohibited in Switzerland. At the end of the legal storage period, embryos are destroyed. These decisions are personal and can be discussed with the centre's psychologist.

• Assessment results for both partners.
• Reports for each cycle: stimulation, egg retrieval, embryos.
• Signed consents.
• Information on frozen embryos and gametes, with storage dates.
• Quotes, invoices and insurance statements.

These documents are useful if you change centre, for a second child or for any administrative procedure.

Multiple pregnancies, twins or more, carry increased risks for mother and children: prematurity, low birthweight and pregnancy complications. To avoid them, Swiss centres favour single embryo transfer, particularly in young women and when embryos are of good quality. Thanks to freezing, the other embryos remain available for later transfers, which preserves cumulative chances. Transfer of two embryos may be discussed in certain situations.

During stimulation, the ovaries can react excessively, producing many follicles. In mild forms, there is a swollen abdomen, a feeling of heaviness and weight gain. In more severe forms, rare today, fluid builds up in the abdomen, with pain, nausea, breathing difficulty and a risk of thrombosis, sometimes requiring hospital admission.

Young women and those with polycystic ovary syndrome are more at risk. Current protocols, dose adjustment, choice of trigger and freezing all embryos without immediate transfer prevent most severe forms. Report rapid weight gain, a very swollen abdomen or breathlessness to the centre promptly.

Twin or triplet pregnancies carry increased risks: prematurity, low birthweight, and complications for the mother such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Once common with assisted reproduction, they are now limited by single embryo transfer and careful monitoring of simple stimulations and inseminations, in which several follicles can develop. If the response is too strong during insemination, the cycle can be cancelled to avoid a multiple pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube. It is slightly more common in women with damaged tubes, including after IVF. It shows as pain on one side of the abdomen, sometimes with bleeding, in early pregnancy. That is why an early ultrasound is carried out after a positive test to check the position of the pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is treated with medication or surgery; it requires prompt management.

The hormone treatments used in assisted reproduction, particularly in hyperstimulation, and pregnancy itself slightly increase the risk of a clot in the veins. Women with a personal or family history of thrombosis, or certain clotting disorders, must mention it: suitable prevention may be offered. A hot, swollen calf, breathlessness or chest pain mean you must call 144.

Many studies have examined whether the hormone treatments used in assisted reproduction increase the risk of breast, ovarian or uterine cancer. Current data are broadly reassuring and do not show a significant increase in risk attributable to treatment, some of the differences observed being linked to infertility itself. Usual gynaecological follow-up and screening remain recommended.

The vast majority of children born after assisted reproduction are healthy and develop normally. Studies show a slight increase in certain risks, such as prematurity or low birthweight, largely linked to multiple pregnancies and to infertility itself rather than the techniques. Single embryo transfer has reduced these risks. Doctors will inform you of current data at the consultation.

• A very swollen, painful abdomen, rapid weight gain.
• Breathlessness, difficulty breathing.
• Intense abdominal pain after egg retrieval.
• Fever after egg retrieval or transfer.
• Heavy bleeding.
• Pain on one side of the abdomen in early pregnancy.

Contact the centre without delay. In an emergency, call 144.

The assisted reproduction journey is often compared to an emotional rollercoaster: hope at the start of each cycle, worry during stimulation, waiting for the number of eggs and embryos, anxiety in the two weeks after transfer, joy or disappointment at the result. This cycle can repeat several times. Many people also describe a sense of injustice, sadness at seeing other pregnancies around them, or difficulty talking about their situation.

These emotions are normal. Recognising them, talking about them with your partner, those close to you or a professional, and allowing yourselves breaks between attempts help preserve your balance. Swiss law also provides for psychological support to be offered to couples.

Swiss law provides for psychological counselling to be offered to couples before, during and after assisted reproduction treatment. Many centres have a psychologist or work with specialist professionals. This support is not reserved for crises: it helps with making decisions, coping with waiting and failures, preserving the relationship, preparing to tell the child in the case of sperm donation, or considering stopping treatment. Do not hesitate to ask for it, individually or as a couple.

Those around a couple going through assisted reproduction do not always know how to react. Questions about when a child is coming, unsolicited advice or pregnancy announcements can be painful. Some couples choose to talk to a few trusted people; others prefer to keep the journey to themselves. It is legitimate to set limits, decline certain invitations or ask for practical support. Associations and support groups also allow you to talk with people going through the same situation.

If someone close to you is going through assisted reproduction, your support can mean a great deal. Listen without judging, avoid unsolicited advice and stock phrases, do not keep asking about results, and let the couple share what they want, when they want. Offer practical help: going with them to an appointment, preparing a meal, offering a moment of relaxation. Be sensitive at pregnancy announcements or family celebrations, which can be difficult.

• "So when's the baby coming?" A sometimes painful question; you are allowed not to answer.
• "Have you tried relaxing?" Stress is not generally the cause.
• "Why not adopt?" A different process, to be considered separately.
• "IVF works every time, doesn't it?" No, the chances depend mainly on age.
• "Can I help?" Often yes: listen, come to an appointment, do not judge.

Patient associations and support groups exist in Switzerland for people affected by infertility. They offer a space for listening, information and sharing experiences, alongside medical follow-up. Your fertility centre can tell you about the resources available in your region and language.

Infertility affects many couples, even if it often remains hidden. Among those around you, at work and among your friends, other people have probably experienced or are experiencing the same situation. Fertility centres, psychologists, associations and support groups are there to support you. Daring to talk about it and ask for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Going from one cycle to the next without interruption can be physically and emotionally exhausting. It is often useful to take a break between two attempts, to recover, step back and enjoy couple life without treatment. The length of the break is discussed with the doctor, taking age and chances into account. A well-chosen break does not significantly reduce the chances and can make the journey more bearable.

Assisted reproduction can put a relationship under great strain: scheduled sex, intimate examinations, difficult decisions and differences in how each partner experiences waiting or failure. One partner may feel responsible, the other helpless. Communicating openly, sharing roles, preserving moments unrelated to the plan for a child and, if needed, seeing a psychologist together help many couples get through this period and stay united.

Men often experience infertility more silently. An abnormal semen analysis can be felt as a blow to virility, a source of shame or guilt, even though it says nothing about masculinity. When the cause lies with the woman, the man may feel helpless in the face of the treatments his partner undergoes. Talking about emotions, with his partner, a friend or a professional, helps get through these moments. Centre psychologists also support men.

Some couples choose to talk openly about their assisted reproduction journey; others prefer to keep it to themselves or tell only a few people close to them. There is no right answer. Talking can bring support and avoid clumsy questions; staying silent can protect privacy. This choice can also change over the course of the journey. What matters is that both partners agree on what they wish to share.

After months of timed intercourse, ovulation tests and examinations, many couples feel a loss of spontaneity in their sex life, sometimes reduced desire. This is common and understandable. It is important to preserve moments of intimacy unrelated to the plan for a child, communicate about your feelings and not hesitate to mention it to the doctor or psychologist. During IVF, intercourse is no longer needed to conceive, which paradoxically can free some couples.

A negative test after IVF is often a very painful moment, even when you were prepared for it. It is important to give yourselves time to experience this disappointment before deciding what to do next. An appointment with the doctor allows the cycle to be analysed — response to stimulation, embryo quality, transfer conditions — and possible adjustments to be discussed. One failure does not mean the following attempts will fail; cumulative chances often remain encouraging.

A miscarriage after an assisted reproduction journey is particularly hard to bear, after so much hope. It is common in the first trimester, as in natural pregnancies, and more so with age, because of chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. It does not generally mean that future attempts will fail. In the case of recurrent miscarriages, a specific assessment is offered. Psychological support can help with this grief.

Recurrent miscarriage is diagnosed after two or three pregnancy losses. A specific assessment is then offered: looking for abnormalities of the uterus, hormonal disorders, clotting disorders or autoimmune diseases, and sometimes analysis of the couple's chromosomes. In some cases, a treatable cause is found; in others, no cause is identified, and the chances of an ongoing pregnancy in subsequent attempts often remain good. Close follow-up and psychological support are important after these ordeals.

Sometimes, after several attempts, the chances of success become very low, or the journey weighs too heavily on health, the relationship or finances. Deciding to stop is one of the hardest decisions. The doctor can help assess the real chances, and a psychologist can help think through other possible paths, such as adoption or a chosen life without children. There is no single right answer; each couple finds its own path.

For some couples, adoption becomes another route to parenthood, sometimes after an assisted reproduction journey, sometimes alongside it. In Switzerland, adoption is governed by the Civil Code and follows a procedure that includes an assessment of suitability to adopt by the cantonal authority, and can take several years. Interested couples can contact the relevant cantonal service. The fertility centre's psychologist can help you think about this path at your own pace.

Some couples, after a long journey, choose to end treatment and build a life without children. This decision, often painful at first, can also open up new perspectives. It deserves to be supported, respected by those around them and lived at their own pace. Support groups and psychological support can help through this grief and to imagine other life plans.

Assisted reproduction allows many couples to have a child every year, including after several failures. Keeping hope is important, but it is also useful to keep a realistic view of your chances, particularly with age. Honest information from the doctor, goals defined together and emotional support help maintain this balance between hope and realism throughout the journey.

Couples who have been through assisted reproduction often describe a journey of highs and lows: relief at finally having a diagnosis, the energy of the first treatments, the fatigue of injections and check-ups, the endless wait after transfer, the immense joy of a positive test or the sadness of a failure. Many stress the importance of a team that listens, and the support of their partner and those close to them, and sometimes regret having waited before consulting. Those who have had a child speak of a difficult journey that was worth it; those who have not speak of the need to rebuild and to be supported.

International and Swiss data show that assisted reproduction allows a significant proportion of infertile couples to have a child, with chances that depend strongly on the woman's age. They confirm that single embryo transfer reduces multiple pregnancies without reducing cumulative chances, thanks to freezing. They also show that the vast majority of children born after assisted reproduction are healthy. Research continues to improve embryo selection, implantation and fertility preservation.

Reproductive medicine specialists emphasise a few messages: consult early, especially after 35; assess both partners; adopt a favourable lifestyle; have realistic expectations according to age; and favour treatments whose effectiveness has been demonstrated. They also point out that emotional support is an integral part of care.

• Assessment: blocked tubes, normal semen analysis; IVF offered.
• Consultation, consents, injection training session.
• Ten days of stimulation, four ultrasound check-ups.
• Egg retrieval: ten eggs, seven fertilised, three blastocysts.
• One blastocyst transferred, two others frozen.
• Two weeks later: positive test.
• Ultrasound at seven weeks: one embryo with heart activity.

• Two years trying for a child, normal assessment, unexplained infertility.
• First insemination cycle: mild stimulation, two ultrasounds, insemination, negative test.
• Second cycle: negative test, discussion with the doctor.
• Third cycle: positive test.
• Pregnancy follow-up with the gynaecologist.

• At 34, with no immediate plans, a consultation about egg freezing.
• Ovarian reserve assessment satisfactory.
• Ten days of stimulation, egg retrieval: thirteen mature eggs vitrified.
• Information on storage periods and extension procedures.
• A few years later: the eggs are used in an assisted reproduction journey as a couple.

Switzerland has several dozen authorised reproductive medicine centres, spread across most regions. In French-speaking Switzerland, Geneva and Lausanne have university hospital centres and many private centres, and Neuchâtel, Fribourg, the Riviera and Valais also offer options. In German-speaking Switzerland, Zurich, Basel and Bern concentrate provision, supplemented by centres in Lucerne, St. Gallen, Aarau, Zug and other cities. In Ticino, there are centres in Lugano and Locarno.

Proximity is an important criterion, as stimulation requires frequent check-ups and egg retrieval must be scheduled at a precise time. Some centres work with community gynaecologists for part of the follow-up.

Price differences between centres are often more linked to protocols, medicines and the options offered than to the city. Compare detailed quotes. Details are on our page on IVF and assisted reproduction prices.

The wait for a first appointment at a fertility centre varies from a few weeks to a few months depending on the region and facility. In the meantime, your gynaecologist can carry out part of the assessment, and the partner can have a semen analysis. Once the journey is under way, cycles are organised around your periods, which requires some flexibility in your schedule. Comparing several centres can shorten the wait.

• Cantonal authorisation for reproductive medicine.
• An experienced team of gynaecologists, biologists and midwives.
• Results published by age group and transparency about how they are calculated.
• A clear quote, distinguishing procedures, laboratory, medicines and freezing.
• Psychological support offered.
• Availability for check-ups, including at weekends if needed.
• Proximity and language of consultation.

A first consultation also allows you to judge the quality of listening, essential in what is often a long journey.

The first consultation at the fertility centre generally brings both partners together. The doctor reviews your history and the tests already carried out, completes the assessment if needed, then explains the options suited to your situation, with their chances, constraints, risks and costs. They also inform you about the legal framework, the consents to be signed and the psychological support available.

Bring your test results, the list of your treatments and your questions. It is normal not to remember everything: ask for a written summary, and do not hesitate to book a second appointment before deciding.

• Which technique do you propose for us, and why?
• What are our chances, given our age and situation?
• How many cycles do you plan before reassessing?
• What is the detailed cost of a cycle, including medicines?
• What happens to embryos that are not transferred?
• What are your results by age group, and how are they calculated?
• What psychological support do you offer?
• How can we reach you if we have a question or a problem?

• Stop smoking, for both partners.
• Limit alcohol and avoid drugs.
• Aim for a weight close to normal.
• Take folic acid.
• Check your vaccinations, notably rubella.
• Check the conditions of your insurance.
• Organise your work around frequent appointments.
• Arrange emotional support, from those close to you or a professional.

An IVF cycle requires several appointments in a short time, often early in the morning, and egg retrieval scheduled at a precise time, sometimes with only one or two days' notice. Most women continue working, organising themselves around check-ups and taking one to two days off after egg retrieval. Absences can be justified by a medical certificate without stating the reason. Whether or not to tell your employer remains a personal choice; some people find it easier to talk to a trusted person at work.

• Full assessment of both partners.
• Serology up to date.
• Consents signed.
• Quote understood and budget planned.
• Medicines ordered and injections learned.
• Work organised around check-ups and egg retrieval.
• Someone arranged to accompany you for egg retrieval.
• Smoking stopped, folic acid started.
• Emotional support identified.

An IVF cycle is prepared rather like a project: identifying the likely dates based on your period, discreetly informing your employer or organising absences, arranging someone to accompany you for egg retrieval, preparing medicines and injection equipment, and thinking about the support you will need during the wait. The centre generally provides a provisional calendar, adjusted as check-ups progress. Planning ahead reduces the stress of the unexpected.

Fertility centres in university and cantonal hospitals and private centres practise the same techniques and are subject to the same authorisations and controls. Hospital centres may have longer waiting times but often offer comprehensive care, useful when there is an associated illness. Private centres sometimes offer greater flexibility in opening hours. The choice depends on your situation, preferences and proximity.

Understanding medical explanations, consents and the legal framework is essential. In French-speaking Switzerland, everything is in French. In the major German-speaking cities, many centres see patients in French or English; in Ticino, in Italian. Do not hesitate to ask for written documents in your language, notably for consents.

Stimulation requires several check-ups within a few days, and egg retrieval is scheduled at a precise time. If you live far from a centre, ask whether some check-ups can be carried out by your gynaecologist in liaison with the centre. Plan your journeys and, if needed, a night nearby around egg retrieval.

• 1. Consult without delay, as a couple, especially after 35.
• 2. Have both partners assessed.
• 3. Understand the cause and the options offered.
• 4. Check the legal framework, insurance and budget.
• 5. Choose a centre and define a plan with a reasonable number of attempts.

• Trying for a child for a year, or six months after 35.
• Consultation with the gynaecologist: first tests for the woman, semen analysis for the man.
• Referral to a fertility centre, first consultation as a couple.
• Assessment completed, strategy chosen.
• Simple stimulation or inseminations, generally covered.
• IVF if needed, with additional embryos frozen.
• Frozen embryo transfers, regular reassessment.
• Pregnancy, followed by the gynaecologist or midwife.

Every journey is unique: some couples achieve a pregnancy with the first treatments, others after several years.

In assisted reproduction, time is an important factor, especially for women over 35: every year counts. Waiting times for an appointment, completing the assessment, receiving insurance responses and organising cycles can add up. It is useful to start the assessment quickly, book an appointment at a centre without waiting for the last results, and discuss a realistic timetable with the doctor. Breaks between attempts must also take age into account.

• Waiting too long before consulting.
• Assessing only the woman.
• Repeating insemination cycles when IVF would be more suitable.
• Judging the chances on a single attempt.
• Neglecting both partners' lifestyle.
• Accepting paid options with no evidence of effectiveness.
• Staying alone with your emotions.

• Assisted reproduction: medically assisted reproduction.
• IVF: in vitro fertilisation.
• ICSI: injection of a sperm into the egg.
• Intrauterine insemination: sperm placed in the uterus.
• Egg retrieval: collection of the eggs.
• Blastocyst: an embryo of five to six days.
• Vitrification: ultra-rapid freezing.
• Anti-Müllerian hormone: a marker of ovarian reserve.
• Semen analysis: analysis of the sperm.
• Preimplantation genetic testing: genetic analysis of the embryo.
• RMAA: Federal Act on Medically Assisted Reproduction.

• Infertility is common and concerns men as much as women.
• The assessment is done as a couple, without delay after 35.
• The woman's age is the main factor in success.
• Assisted reproduction is governed by a precise federal law.
• Sperm donation is permitted for married couples; egg donation is currently prohibited.
• Insemination can be covered; IVF is at the couple's expense.
• Emotional support is part of the journey.

Starting an assisted reproduction journey, choosing a technique, deciding on the number of attempts or considering stopping are intimate decisions that belong to the couple. Doctors inform, advise and support; the psychologist helps you think; but it is for you to choose the path that suits you, at your own pace, with clear information about chances, constraints and costs.

Infertility is common, it concerns men as much as women, and it can be treated better and better. Consulting early, as a couple, having a full assessment, adopting a favourable lifestyle and choosing an experienced centre are the keys to an effective journey. In Switzerland, assisted reproduction takes place within a precise legal framework, with possibilities and limits that are important to know. And throughout the journey, looking after yourselves and your relationship is part of the treatment.

Medespoir Suisse helps you understand the stages of assisted reproduction, prepare your questions and find an authorised reproductive medicine centre in your region and language. Describe your situation to us in complete confidence, and we will direct you free of charge and without obligation.

Describing your situation, how long you have been trying for a child, your age and the tests already carried out allows you to be referred quickly to a suitable centre in your region and language. Medespoir Suisse can help you with this, confidentially, free of charge and without obligation, and help you prepare your questions for the first consultation.

If you have been trying for a child for a year, or six months after 35, or if you have reason to think there may be a problem, the first step is simple: make an appointment with your gynaecologist or doctor, and ask for a semen analysis for your partner. This assessment often clarifies things quickly and leads to the right care. Many couples regret not having consulted sooner. A simple consultation commits you to nothing: it allows you to take stock, be reassured if everything is normal, or act quickly if a problem is identified, when the chances are best.

Assisted reproduction today offers many possibilities to couples facing infertility, with proven techniques, a protective legal framework and experienced centres throughout Switzerland. The journey can be long and trying, but it is all the more effective for starting early, as a couple, with a full assessment and clear information. To find out more, see our pages on artificial insemination, IVF and testicular biopsy.

Medically assisted reproduction is governed in Switzerland by the article of the Federal Constitution on reproductive medicine and by the Federal Act on Medically Assisted Reproduction, with its ordinance. This framework aims to protect human dignity, personality and the family, as well as the welfare of the child. It defines who can access assisted reproduction, which techniques are permitted and prohibited, the conditions for storing gametes and embryos, and the obligations of centres.

Centres must hold a cantonal authorisation, meet quality requirements, inform and counsel couples, obtain their written consent and submit statistical data to the authorities. The legal framework evolves: it is useful to ask a centre about the rules currently in force.

Information about your assisted reproduction journey is covered by medical confidentiality. Sick notes do not state the reason. Data submitted to the national register and, for sperm donation, to the Federal Office of Civil Status, are protected by law. You remain free to decide whom you tell about your journey.

This table summarises the situation as we know it; the law may change. Fertility centres will inform you of the rules in force at the time of your application.

The law requires the couple to be fully informed and to give written consent before each important stage of assisted reproduction: treatment, freezing of embryos or gametes, use of donor sperm and preimplantation genetic testing. Both partners must consent. Consent can be withdrawn; for example, the decision to have frozen embryos transferred requires both partners' agreement at the time of transfer. Take time to read these documents and ask your questions.

If a couple separates while embryos are frozen, they can only be transferred with the consent of both former partners, as the law provides. In practice, the embryos are not used and are destroyed at the end of the storage period, or earlier if both partners so decide. The centre informs you of these rules at the time of freezing. A person's frozen eggs or sperm belong to them and can be used later in a new plan, according to the rules in force.

Swiss law prohibits the use of a person's gametes or embryos after their death. If one of the partners dies, the embryos and their frozen gametes can no longer be used and are destroyed. This rule, which may seem harsh, aims to protect the welfare of the child. The centre informs you of it at the time of consent.

The legal framework for assisted reproduction in Switzerland has changed several times: the law came into force in 2001, preimplantation genetic testing was permitted in 2017, and sperm donation was opened to married female couples with marriage for all in 2022. Further changes are under discussion, notably permitting egg donation. These changes take time, as they go through Parliament and sometimes a popular vote. Before making a decision, ask a centre or the Federal Office of Public Health about the rules in force.

Assisted reproduction raises important ethical questions: the status of the embryo, the child's right to know their origins, the limits of genetic selection, access according to family situation and the place of gamete donation. Swiss law reflects societal choices that sometimes differ from those of other countries. These questions can also arise for couples themselves, for example when deciding what to do with unused embryos. Psychological counselling and, if needed, dialogue with the medical team help in thinking them through.

Swiss law places the welfare of the child at the centre of assisted reproduction. This principle justifies certain conditions, such as the parents' ability to raise the child to adulthood, the child's right to know the sperm donor's identity, and the prohibition of surrogacy and of using gametes after death. Centres ensure that every step respects this principle, informing and supporting future parents.

The law reserves assisted reproduction for couples with whom a legal parent-child relationship can be established and who, by reason of their age and personal situation, appear able to raise the child until adulthood. It is indicated to overcome infertility when other treatments have failed or are futile, or to avoid passing on a serious, incurable disease.

Unmarried couples can use assisted reproduction with their own gametes. Sperm donation is reserved for married couples, which since 1 July 2022 includes married female couples. The law does not set a precise age limit; centres assess it case by case, taking into account the chances of success and the welfare of the child.

Couples in which one partner lives with a chronic viral infection, such as HIV or hepatitis, can use assisted reproduction under safe conditions. With effective treatment, the risk of transmission is very low. Laboratories apply specific procedures. Care is provided in liaison with the specialist who follows the infection.

Sperm donation is permitted in Switzerland for married couples. Donors are selected according to strict medical criteria and are not paid beyond compensation. The couple does not know the donor's identity, but from the age of 18 the child has the right to obtain information about their parentage, including the donor's identity, which is kept by the Federal Office of Civil Status. The number of children from a single donor is limited by law.

Couples are encouraged to think, with the help of psychological counselling, about how to tell the child how they were conceived.

Many parents wonder whether they should explain to their child that they were conceived through assisted reproduction. For IVF with the couple's own gametes, it is a personal choice. For a child conceived with donor sperm, Swiss law gives them the right to know their origins from the age of 18; specialists generally recommend talking about it early, in words suited to the child's age, rather than letting them discover it later. Advice and children's books can help.

Since 1 July 2022, married female couples can access sperm donation in Switzerland under the same conditions as married heterosexual couples. Depending on the situation, insemination with donor sperm or IVF may be offered. The child's legal relationship with the mother's wife is established from birth when the child is conceived through sperm donation under Swiss law. Centres support these couples throughout the journey, including in preparing to tell the child about their origins.

Egg donation, which allows a woman whose ovaries no longer produce good-quality eggs to carry a pregnancy using a donor's eggs, is currently prohibited in Switzerland, whereas sperm donation is permitted. This difference is the subject of debate, and Parliament has asked the Federal Council to prepare an amendment to the law to permit it. To our knowledge, these new rules are not yet in force.

Couples concerned can ask a Swiss centre about developments in the law and the options open to them, as well as about egg freezing at a younger age, which allows them to use their own eggs later.

Since 2017, preimplantation genetic testing has been permitted in Switzerland under strict conditions. It involves taking a few cells from an embryo obtained by IVF, generally at the blastocyst stage, to analyse its genetic make-up before transfer. It is indicated for couples carrying a serious hereditary disease, so that only unaffected embryos are transferred, and, in certain infertility situations, to look for abnormalities in the number of chromosomes.

Selecting embryos by sex or other characteristics without a medical reason is prohibited. Preimplantation genetic testing adds to the cost of IVF and is generally not covered. A genetics consultation precedes the process.

When one or both partners carry a serious hereditary disease, assisted reproduction with preimplantation genetic testing allows only unaffected embryos to be transferred. The process begins with a genetics consultation, which clarifies the risk and whether the analysis is feasible. It requires IVF, even for a fertile couple. Prenatal diagnosis during a natural pregnancy is another option, discussed at the consultation.

Certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, pelvic radiotherapy or certain surgeries, can permanently impair fertility. Before starting them, it is often possible to freeze sperm in men, or eggs or sometimes ovarian tissue in women, to preserve the possibility of having a child later. This must be offered promptly, in liaison with the team treating the disease.

Egg freezing is also possible for personal reasons, for example in the absence of a partner or immediate plans. It is all the more effective when done young, ideally before 35, and it is at the woman's expense.

A few simple measures help preserve fertility, in women and men alike: not smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections, having any genital infection treated promptly, and consulting about very painful periods, which can signal endometriosis. Keeping in mind the effect of age on female fertility also helps plan a pregnancy with full knowledge.

Many people overestimate the chances of pregnancy after 35 or 40, or what IVF can achieve at an advanced age. Clear information about how fertility changes with age, the factors that protect it and the limits of assisted reproduction allows everyone to make their life choices with full knowledge. Gynaecologists and GPs can raise this subject during routine consultations.

Studies, career, no partner, financial situation: the reasons for postponing plans for a child are many and legitimate. For women considering a later pregnancy, an assessment of ovarian reserve and, possibly, egg freezing before 35 can preserve their chances. These steps do not guarantee a future pregnancy, but they offer an additional option. A consultation with a specialist helps you decide.

A cancer diagnosis in a young person quickly raises the question of future fertility. Certain treatments, notably chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy, can impair it. Before treatment begins, the oncology team can refer to a fertility centre for fertility preservation: sperm freezing in men, or egg or ovarian tissue freezing in women. This must be done quickly so as not to delay treatment. Later, after recovery, these gametes can be used in assisted reproduction.

Egg freezing for postponed plans follows the same steps as the start of IVF: stimulation of the ovaries, egg retrieval, then vitrification of the mature eggs. The number of eggs needed for a good chance of later having a child depends on age: more eggs are needed when freezing is done later. Several stimulations are sometimes needed.

Frozen eggs do not guarantee a future pregnancy, but they preserve a chance linked to age at the time of freezing. They will be used later in assisted reproduction as a couple, according to the rules in force, and the storage period is limited by law.

Sperm freezing is a simple, long-established technique. It is offered before treatment likely to impair fertility, such as chemotherapy, before a vasectomy if future plans are not ruled out, or when the partner cannot be present on the day of egg retrieval. Sperm is collected at the laboratory, analysed, then frozen in liquid nitrogen. Storage is subject to the same legal limits as other gametes.

The law sets limits on the storage period for gametes and embryos. In practice, storage is permitted for a fixed period, renewable on request, up to a maximum. Centres inform you in writing of the time limits, extension procedures and what happens to embryos or gametes at the end of storage. Keep your contact details up to date with the centre so that you can be reached.

The precise conditions, notably age, may change and should be checked with your insurer. Supplementary insurance may cover part of the costs depending on the contract.

For the assessment and covered inseminations, check the conditions of your insurance model: with a family doctor, health network or telemedicine model, you often have to go through your primary care doctor or gynaecologist first, who refers you to the centre. Without this step, the insurer may reduce or refuse reimbursement. Each partner has their own insurance; each person's tests are covered by their own insurer.

Services covered by basic insurance, such as the assessment and inseminations, are subject to the annual deductible (franchise) and co-payment (quote-part), counted per calendar year. Grouping tests and treatments in the same year can sometimes reduce your contribution. The choice of deductible, made at the end of the year for the following year, can also be considered in light of upcoming assisted reproduction plans.

As IVF is not covered by basic insurance, the couple bears the cost, which includes consultations and monitoring ultrasounds, stimulation medicines, egg retrieval and anaesthesia, laboratory procedures, any ICSI, embryo culture, transfer, freezing and storage of embryos, and later frozen embryo transfers. Medicines often represent a significant share, varying with the doses needed.

Ask the centre for a detailed quote for a full cycle, as well as the cost of a frozen embryo transfer, generally much lower. Think in terms of several cycles, as a single attempt is not always enough. Details are on our page on IVF and assisted reproduction prices.

As IVF is at the couple's expense, it is useful to build a realistic budget: the cost of a full cycle, medicines according to the protocol, frozen embryo transfers, annual storage, any preimplantation genetic testing and a reasonable number of attempts. Ask the centre for detailed quotes, check what your supplementary insurance covers and think about the number of attempts you can consider. This planning reduces financial stress, which is often significant during the journey.

These indices are indicative and vary between centres, protocols and medicine doses.

Some supplementary insurance policies contribute to the cost of infertility treatment, for example part of the medicines or procedures not covered by basic insurance, with variable ceilings and conditions. Read your contract carefully and ask for written confirmation before starting. Changing supplementary insurance when planning assisted reproduction is often difficult, because of possible exclusions. There is no general public aid for IVF, but some centres or foundations can point to one-off solutions.

The chances of pregnancy with assisted reproduction depend above all on the woman's age, then on the cause of infertility, ovarian reserve, embryo quality and the centre's experience. They are expressed in several ways: per cycle started, per egg retrieval, per transfer, or as cumulative chances over several cycles, including frozen embryo transfers. These different ways of counting give different figures; ask the centre what it is referring to.

In general, the chances per transfer are highest before 35, decrease gradually between 35 and 40, then markedly after 40. Cumulative chances over several attempts are more encouraging than those of a single cycle, particularly in young women.

These trends are indicative. Each centre can give you its own results by age group, to be interpreted with your doctor according to your situation.

A single IVF attempt is not always enough, even for couples who will eventually have a child. Cumulative chances, calculated over several egg retrievals and transfers, show that most young women achieve a birth within a few cycles. Thinking in terms of a journey helps put a failure into perspective and plan a reasonable number of attempts, financially and emotionally, to be defined with the doctor.

No two assisted reproduction journeys are the same. Age, the cause of infertility, the response to treatment and embryo quality, but also each couple's personal, financial and emotional situation, shape a unique path. Statistics give guidelines, but they do not say what will happen in your case. That is why personalised follow-up, honest information and the possibility of readjusting the strategy at each stage are so important. Comparing your journey with others', particularly on social media, is often a source of needless worry; it is better to rely on the advice of your medical team, who know your situation. Ask them all your questions, even those that seem naive: they are legitimate, and the answer will often help you move forward more calmly, step by step, to the decision that suits you both best.

• Consulting without delay, especially after 35.
• Stop smoking, for both partners.
• Aim for a weight close to normal.
• Limit alcohol and avoid drugs.
• Take folic acid.
• Treating identified causes, such as polyps or endometriosis.
• Choosing an experienced centre and following the protocol precisely.

No supplement or miracle diet has been shown to be spectacularly effective; be wary of commercial promises.

A balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, fish and good-quality oils, is good for the health and fertility of both partners. No food or supplement guarantees a pregnancy, but a weight close to normal and a varied diet improve the chances. Folic acid is recommended for the woman before conception. Greatly reducing caffeine and avoiding alcohol are also advised while trying for a child.

Regular, moderate physical activity benefits fertility by helping maintain a healthy weight and reducing stress. Conversely, very intensive sport combined with low body fat can disrupt ovulation in women. During stimulation and after egg retrieval, intense sports or those with a risk of impact should be avoided, as the ovaries are enlarged. Ask the centre for advice.

Significant excess weight or obesity reduces the chances of assisted reproduction success, increases risks during pregnancy and can complicate egg retrieval. Weight loss, even moderate, often improves ovulation and results. Some centres recommend reaching a more favourable weight before starting IVF, taking age into account so as not to delay treatment excessively. Conversely, significant underweight can block ovulation.

Smoking reduces fertility in women and men alike, accelerates the decline in ovarian reserve, damages sperm and reduces IVF success rates. Alcohol and cannabis can also impair fertility. Stopping before starting an assisted reproduction journey is one of the most effective and accessible measures. Help with quitting exists; talk to your doctor.

Many complementary techniques are offered on top of conventional IVF: endometrial scratching, embryo glue, assisted hatching, time-lapse incubators, immunological tests and certain supplements. Some are useful in specific situations, but many have not been shown to work for most couples, and they increase the cost. Before accepting an option, ask the doctor what studies it is based on, what concrete benefit can be expected in your case and what it costs.

Published success rates can be calculated in different ways: per cycle started, per egg retrieval, per transfer, as early pregnancies, ongoing pregnancies or births. A rate per transfer appears higher than a rate per cycle started. Results also depend on the patients treated: a centre that mainly treats young women will have better figures. Compare results by age group and using the same method of calculation, and ask for explanations.

In Switzerland, fertility centres submit their data to a national register, which allows the activity and results of reproductive medicine to be monitored nationwide. These data contribute to the quality of care and to public information. Overall results can be consulted, and each centre can give you its own.

Budget

Price differences between cities and cantons, the quote breakdown and ways to save are detailed on our page Guide to IVF and assisted reproduction: prices in Switzerland.

All pages in this section

• In vitro fertilisation in Switzerland
• IVF: the pathway in Switzerland
• Artificial insemination in Switzerland
• Testicular biopsy in Switzerland

Our guides

• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Answers to the most frequent questions about infertility, assisted reproduction and IVF in Switzerland.

Understanding infertility

When is it called infertility? Infertility is diagnosed when a couple has not achieved a pregnancy after twelve months of regular intercourse without contraception. For women over 35, it is advisable to consult after six months. This interval is shorter if there is a known cause, such as absent or very irregular periods, endometriosis or previous surgery.

Is infertility common? Yes. It is estimated that about one couple in six has difficulty conceiving at some point in their lives. Many eventually achieve a pregnancy, naturally or with medical help.

Does infertility always come from the woman? No. Causes are roughly divided between the woman, the man, both partners, or remain unexplained. That is why the assessment always involves both partners from the outset.

What are the common female causes? Ovulation disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, age-related reduction in ovarian reserve, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, certain abnormalities of the uterus and, more rarely, hormonal disorders.

What are the common male causes? A reduced number, motility or shape of sperm, absence of sperm in the ejaculate, varicocele, hormonal disorders, after-effects of infection or treatment, and the influence of smoking, alcohol, heat or certain medicines.

What is unexplained infertility? It is when the standard assessment shows no abnormality in either partner. It affects a significant proportion of couples. Treatments such as insemination or IVF may still be offered depending on age and duration of infertility.

Does the woman's age affect fertility? Yes, strongly. Female fertility gradually declines from the thirties, then more markedly after 35 and especially after 40, because of the reduction in the number and quality of eggs. It is the most important factor in assisted reproduction success rates.

Does the man's age count too? Yes, to a lesser extent. Sperm quality gradually declines with age, and the time to conception lengthens in older men. Advanced paternal age is also associated with certain risks for the child.

Does lifestyle affect fertility? Yes. Smoking, excessive alcohol, significant excess weight or underweight, chronic stress, certain drugs and exposure to heat or toxins can reduce fertility in women and men alike. Improving these factors increases the chances, with or without assisted reproduction.

Does stress prevent pregnancy? Stress is generally not the cause of infertility, but a long journey can be very trying. Looking after your emotional balance is important for getting through assisted reproduction, even though stress alone does not explain difficulty conceiving.

What is ovarian reserve? It is the number of eggs still available in the ovaries. It decreases with age and varies greatly from woman to woman. It is assessed by a blood test measuring anti-Müllerian hormone, and by ultrasound, which counts the small follicles.

Does endometriosis cause infertility? Endometriosis can reduce fertility, particularly in its extensive forms, but many affected women conceive naturally. Depending on the situation, surgery, insemination or IVF may be offered.

Does polycystic ovary syndrome prevent pregnancy? It disrupts ovulation, but it responds well to treatment. Weight loss if needed, simple ovulation stimulation or insemination are often enough. IVF is offered if these treatments fail.

Can you be infertile after already having a child? Yes; this is called secondary infertility. It can result from age, infection, surgery, a change in sperm or other causes. It is assessed and treated like primary infertility.

Do recurrent miscarriages fall within assisted reproduction? Recurrent miscarriage is the subject of a specific assessment, different from that for infertility. Depending on the causes found, suitable treatments are offered, sometimes with the help of a fertility centre.

Does weight affect fertility? Yes. Significant excess weight or underweight can disrupt ovulation and reduce the chances of pregnancy, including with assisted reproduction. In men, obesity can impair sperm quality. Moderate weight loss often improves fertility in overweight people.

Does smoking reduce fertility? Yes, in women and men alike. Smoking accelerates the decline in ovarian reserve, impairs sperm quality and reduces assisted reproduction success rates. Stopping smoking is one of the most useful measures.

Should I take folic acid? Yes, it is recommended to take folic acid from the moment you plan a pregnancy, at least a month before conception and during the first trimester, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Ask your doctor for advice.

Do sexually transmitted infections affect fertility? Some, such as chlamydia, can damage the fallopian tubes without symptoms and cause infertility. Screening is part of the assessment, and preventing them protects future fertility.

What does an abnormal semen analysis mean? An abnormal result does not mean permanent infertility. Values vary from one test to another, and many abnormalities are compatible with pregnancy, natural or with assisted reproduction. The doctor interprets the results and suggests further tests if needed.

What is azoospermia? It is the absence of sperm in the ejaculate. It may be due to an obstruction of the ducts or a production disorder. In some cases, sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicle by biopsy and used for ICSI. See our page on testicular biopsy.

Is a genetic assessment necessary? It is offered in certain situations: severe sperm abnormalities, recurrent miscarriages, family history of genetic disease. It helps understand the cause and guide treatment.

The assessment

When should we consult? After twelve months without pregnancy under 35, after six months over 35, and without waiting in the case of irregular cycles, known endometriosis, previous pelvic surgery, or a disease or treatment that may affect either partner's fertility.

Whom should we see first? Often the gynaecologist, who carries out the first tests and refers to a reproductive medicine centre if needed. The GP or a urologist can also be consulted, notably for the male partner.

What does the female assessment involve? An interview, a gynaecological examination, hormone blood tests at the start of the cycle, assessment of ovarian reserve, a pelvic ultrasound and a test of tubal patency. Other tests may be requested depending on the situation.

What does the male assessment involve? Mainly a semen analysis, which analyses sperm count, motility and shape. Depending on the results, a clinical examination by a urologist or andrologist, hormone blood tests, an ultrasound or genetic tests may complete the assessment.

How is a semen analysis carried out? The sample is collected by masturbation, at the laboratory or sometimes at home with a short transport time, after two to five days of abstinence. As results vary naturally, a second semen analysis is often requested if there is an abnormality.

How are the tubes checked? By an X-ray with contrast, hysterosalpingography, or by an ultrasound with a special product. More rarely, laparoscopy, a procedure under anaesthesia, allows the tubes to be checked and endometriosis or adhesions to be treated at the same time.

Which blood tests are needed for the couple? Serology for certain transmissible infections, such as HIV, hepatitis and syphilis, is required before assisted reproduction. The woman's immunity to rubella and other diseases is checked to protect the future pregnancy.

Is the assessment reimbursed? The infertility assessment is generally covered by basic insurance, subject to the deductible (franchise) and co-payment (quote-part), as it aims to diagnose a disease.

How long does the assessment take? A few weeks to two or three months, as some tests must be carried out at specific times in the cycle. It is useful to start quickly, especially over 35.

The techniques

What are the main assisted reproduction techniques? Ovulation stimulation, intrauterine insemination, conventional in vitro fertilisation, injection of a sperm into the egg, called ICSI, frozen embryo transfer, freezing of eggs or sperm, and preimplantation genetic testing in certain situations.

What is ovulation stimulation? It is a hormone treatment, in tablets or injections, that induces or regulates ovulation, with ultrasound monitoring. It is often offered first in the case of ovulation disorders, with timed intercourse.

What is intrauterine insemination? Sperm from the partner or a donor is prepared in the laboratory, then placed directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation using a fine catheter. The procedure is simple and painless. It requires at least one open tube and sperm of sufficient quality.

What is IVF? In vitro fertilisation involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs by puncture, bringing them into contact with sperm in the laboratory, culturing the embryos for a few days, then transferring one embryo into the uterus. Additional good-quality embryos can be frozen.

What is ICSI? It is an IVF technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into each egg using a micropipette. It is mainly used for male infertility, or after fertilisation failure in conventional IVF.

What is a frozen embryo transfer? It is the transfer, in a later cycle, of an embryo frozen during a previous IVF. It avoids a new stimulation and egg retrieval. Current freezing techniques, by vitrification, give very good survival rates.

How many embryos are transferred? In Switzerland, single embryo transfer is favoured, to limit multiple pregnancies and their risks. Transferring two embryos may be discussed in certain situations, depending on age and previous failures.

What is preimplantation genetic testing? It is the genetic analysis of cells taken from the embryo before transfer. In Switzerland, it has been permitted since 2017 under strict conditions, notably for couples carrying a serious hereditary disease or in certain infertility situations. It does not allow the sex or characteristics of the child to be chosen without a medical reason.

What is fertility preservation? It is the freezing of eggs, sperm or ovarian tissue before a treatment that could impair fertility, such as chemotherapy, or for personal reasons, so that they can be used later.

Can I freeze my eggs without a medical reason? Yes, egg freezing for personal reasons is possible in Switzerland, within the storage limits set by law. The chances of success depend strongly on age at the time of freezing: it is more effective before 35. It is at the woman's expense.

What is natural-cycle IVF? It is IVF without stimulation or with very mild stimulation, in which the single egg produced naturally is retrieved. It is less demanding, but the chances per cycle are lower. It is offered in certain situations.

What is assisted hatching? It is a laboratory technique that weakens the embryo's outer shell to help it implant. Its value is limited to certain situations, and it is not used routinely.

Are the add-on techniques offered useful? Several additional options, often paid for, are offered in some centres. Not all have been shown to be effective. Ask the doctor what evidence supports each option before accepting it.

How many insemination cycles before IVF? Often three to six cycles, depending on age and cause. After 38 or 40, or with a cause that makes insemination ineffective, IVF is offered sooner.

When do couples go straight to IVF? In the case of blocked tubes, severe male infertility, significant endometriosis, advanced age or failed inseminations. The doctor adapts the strategy to each couple.

What is a stimulation protocol? It is the hormone treatment scheme used to stimulate the ovaries during IVF: type of medicines, doses, duration and timing of ovulation triggering. It is adapted to age, ovarian reserve and previous responses.

Legal framework in Switzerland

Who can access assisted reproduction in Switzerland? The law reserves assisted reproduction for couples with whom a legal parent-child relationship can be established and who, by reason of their age and personal situation, appear able to raise the child until adulthood. It is intended for couples facing infertility or the risk of passing on a serious disease.

Can unmarried couples have assisted reproduction? Yes, unmarried couples can use assisted reproduction with their own gametes. However, sperm donation is reserved for married couples.

Can female couples have assisted reproduction? Since marriage for all came into force on 1 July 2022, married female couples can access sperm donation in Switzerland, under the same conditions as married heterosexual couples.

Can single women have assisted reproduction? No, Swiss law currently reserves assisted reproduction for couples. A single woman cannot access sperm donation in a Swiss centre. She can, however, freeze her eggs for a future plan.

Is sperm donation permitted? Yes, for married couples. The donor is anonymous to the couple, but the child has the right to know the donor's identity from the age of 18. The data are kept by the Federal Office of Civil Status.

Is egg donation permitted in Switzerland? No, egg donation is currently prohibited in Switzerland. Parliament has requested an amendment to the law to permit it, but to our knowledge the new rules are not yet in force. Ask a centre about the current state of the law.

Is surrogacy permitted? No, surrogacy, i.e. a woman carrying a child for another couple, is prohibited in Switzerland, as is embryo donation.

How many embryos can be developed? The law limits the number of embryos that can be developed per treatment cycle to twelve. Good-quality embryos that are not transferred can be frozen for later transfer.

How long can embryos or eggs be stored? The law limits the storage period. As a rule, storage is permitted for five years, with the possibility of extension on request, up to a maximum period set by law. Ask the centre about the applicable periods and extension procedures.

What happens to unused embryos? At the end of the storage period, or if the couple no longer wishes to use them, the embryos are destroyed. With the couple's consent, they can in some cases be used for research, under the stem cell research law. Donation of embryos to another couple is prohibited.

Can the child's sex be chosen? No, except to avoid passing on a serious sex-linked disease. Choosing the sex for reasons of preference is prohibited.

Are fertility centres regulated? Yes, they must hold a cantonal authorisation, meet quality requirements and submit statistical data. Check that the centre is authorised.

Is sperm donation anonymous for the child? No. The couple does not know the donor's identity, but the child can, from the age of 18, obtain information about him, including his identity. Couples are encouraged to prepare for this.

Can a donor have many children? No, the law limits the number of children that can be born from the donations of a single donor, to avoid too many half-siblings.

Is written consent required? Yes, every important stage of assisted reproduction requires the couple's written consent, after full information. Both partners must consent.

Insurance and costs

Is IVF reimbursed in Switzerland? No, in vitro fertilisation and ICSI are not covered by basic insurance. The couple pays for laboratory procedures and consultations linked to IVF. Some medicines or tests may sometimes be covered depending on the situation; ask your insurer.

Is insemination reimbursed? Basic insurance covers intrauterine insemination, with hormonal stimulation, up to three cycles per pregnancy, under certain conditions, notably age. The deductible (franchise) and co-payment (quote-part) apply. Check the precise conditions with your insurer.

How much does IVF cost in Switzerland? The cost depends on the centre, the technique, the medicines and the number of cycles. We express it as relative indices on our prices page. Ask for a detailed quote that separates medical procedures, laboratory, medicines and freezing.

Are the medicines expensive? Stimulation medicines represent a significant part of the cost of IVF. Their dose depends on your ovarian reserve and response. Ask the centre for an estimate and check what your insurer may cover.

Does supplementary insurance cover IVF? Some supplementary insurance policies contribute to part of the cost of infertility treatment, but conditions vary greatly. Read your contract carefully and ask for written confirmation.

Is there a cost for freezing embryos? Yes, freezing and annual storage of embryos, eggs or sperm are charged. Ask the centre for the rates and budget for these costs over several years if needed.

Is preimplantation genetic testing reimbursed? As a rule, no. It is added to the cost of IVF. Ask the centre about its cost and indications.

Are the medicines covered for insemination? When insemination is covered, the necessary stimulation medicines generally are too, according to insurance rules. Check with your insurer.

Is there financial support? There is no general coverage of IVF by basic insurance. Some supplementary insurance policies, foundations or one-off aid may exist; ask the centre and your insurer.

Chances of success

What are the chances of IVF success? They depend mainly on the woman's age. Before 35, the chances of pregnancy per transfer are much higher than after 40, when they fall sharply. The cause of infertility, embryo quality and the centre's experience also count. Ask the centre for its results by age group.

How many attempts are needed on average? Many couples achieve a pregnancy after one to three IVF attempts, including frozen embryo transfers. Cumulative chances increase with the number of cycles, especially in young women.

What are the chances with insemination? They are lower per cycle than those of IVF, but insemination is simpler and less expensive. Several cycles are generally offered before moving on to IVF, depending on age and cause.

Are pregnancies after assisted reproduction risky? Multiple pregnancies, more common in the past, are limited by single embryo transfer. Pregnancies after assisted reproduction require the usual follow-up, sometimes reinforced depending on age or the situation. The vast majority proceed normally.

Are children born through assisted reproduction healthy? Yes, the vast majority of children born after assisted reproduction are healthy. Some studies show a slight increase in certain risks, partly linked to infertility itself rather than to the techniques. Doctors will inform you about these aspects.

At what age does IVF become very difficult? After 43 or 44, the chances of pregnancy with your own eggs become very low. Centres take this into account in what they offer and inform you honestly.

Procedure and experience

How long does an IVF cycle take? About four to six weeks in total, including around ten days of stimulation, egg retrieval, a few days of embryo culture, transfer, then about two weeks before the pregnancy test.

Is egg retrieval painful? It is done under sedation or light anaesthesia, through the vagina under ultrasound guidance. It takes about twenty minutes. Period-like pain may be felt for one or two days.

Is embryo transfer painful? No, it is similar to a gynaecological examination. A fine catheter places the embryo in the uterus under ultrasound guidance. No anaesthesia is needed.

Do I need to stop working during IVF? Generally not. Most women continue working, planning absences for monitoring, egg retrieval and possibly the day of transfer. One or two days of rest after egg retrieval are often advised.

What are the risks of stimulation? The main risk is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, an excessive ovarian response with a swollen abdomen, pain and sometimes complications. Current protocols have made it rare. Milder effects, such as bloating or mood swings, are common.

How can I cope with waiting for the pregnancy test? The two weeks after transfer are often the most emotionally difficult. It is advisable to keep life as normal as possible, surround yourself with support and avoid early home pregnancy tests, which can be misleading.

What happens in the event of failure? An appointment with the doctor allows the cycle to be analysed, the protocol adjusted and next steps discussed: frozen embryo transfer, new stimulation or another technique. Psychological support can help with this stage.

Is psychological support offered? Most centres offer psychological support, and the law provides for counselling to be offered to the couple before, during and after treatment. Do not hesitate to make use of it: assisted reproduction can be trying.

Does assisted reproduction affect the couple? The journey can put the relationship to the test: numerous appointments, scheduled sex, hopes and disappointments. Communicating, supporting each other and accepting outside help help many couples get through this period.

Should I tell my employer? It is not compulsory. Absences can be justified by a medical certificate without specifying the reason. Some people choose to talk about it to make organisation easier; it is a personal choice.

Is sport allowed during IVF? Moderate activity is generally allowed during stimulation, but intense sports or those with a risk of impact should be avoided, particularly when the ovaries are enlarged and after egg retrieval. Follow the centre's advice.

Can we have intercourse during IVF? It depends on the stages and the centre's instructions. During some phases, notably around egg retrieval and transfer, abstinence may be advised. Ask for precise instructions.

Should I rest after the transfer? Strict rest does not improve the chances of success. A normal life, without strenuous exertion, is advised.

Practical information and centres in Switzerland

Where can we have assisted reproduction in Switzerland? There are several dozen authorised centres in Switzerland, public and private, in the main cities — Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, Zurich, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Lugano — as well as in several medium-sized cities. Some university hospitals have reproductive medicine units.

How do we choose a fertility centre? Check the cantonal authorisation, the team's experience, the techniques offered, published results by age group, transparency about costs, psychological support, proximity and language. A first consultation allows you to judge how well you are listened to.

Can we be followed up in French in German-speaking Switzerland? In the major cities, many centres see patients in French or English. Mention it when booking.

Do we need to live near the centre? It is an advantage, as stimulation requires several closely spaced check-ups and egg retrieval must be scheduled precisely. Some check-ups can sometimes be carried out near home, in liaison with the centre.

How long is the wait for a first appointment? Waiting times vary between centres, from a few weeks to a few months. It is useful to book early and carry out part of the assessment with your gynaecologist in the meantime.

Can Medespoir direct us? Yes. Describe your situation, how long you have been trying for a child and the tests already carried out. We will direct you to an authorised fertility centre in your region and language. Free, confidential and without obligation.

Do we need a GP to be referred? Depending on your insurance model, you may need to go through your primary care doctor or gynaecologist first to be reimbursed for the assessment. Check the conditions of your contract.

Can we change centre during treatment? Yes. You can ask for a copy of your file and, where applicable, the transfer of your frozen embryos or gametes to another authorised centre, according to the procedures in place.

Do centres publish their results? Centres submit their data to a national register, and many publish their results by age group. Ask for them, bearing in mind that the figures also depend on the patients treated.

How long does an assisted reproduction journey last? From a few months to several years, depending on the cause, age, the techniques needed and the number of attempts. A plan is drawn up with the doctor and reviewed regularly.

Describe your situation in a few lines, how long you have been trying for a child and the tests already carried out. We will direct you to an authorised fertility centre in your region and language. Free, confidential and without obligation.