Understanding Fertility Treatment

IVF treatment can seem complicated at first. You may hear many different terms, abbreviations and descriptions of treatment pathways, and it can be difficult to understand how they all fit together.

These pages have been created to help you understand the different types of IVF cycles available, how treatment is organised into cycles, and what to expect if your treatment doesn’t go exactly according to plan.

This website focuses on IVF and its variants (e.g., PGT). The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand has information about ovulation induction (OI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

IVF treatment types

Learn about the different types of IVF treatments available.

What is an IVF cycle?

Understand what an IVF cycle entails and the different phases involved.

Unplanned exits and changing plans

Learn about the possibility of changing treatment plans and what happens in case of unplanned exits.

Sperm and Eggs

Some patients and partners are able to produce eggs or sperm, while others may need to use donors.

Know someone who’s going through IVF?

If someone you care about is going through IVF, these resources are for you. They’ll help you understand what treatment involves and how to offer support in a way that actually helps.

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Patients and partners — know someone who could use this? Share this section with your support network.

The supporter's guide to IVF

A jargon-free overview of the medical and emotional journey of IVF.

How to be a good listener

Practical tips for having conversations with someone going through IVF.

Support for supporters

Practical tips for looking after yourself while supporting someone through IVF.