Dr Alper Eraslan on IVF: IVF off the clock in Dublin

For many patients, IVF begins with a long list of questions: How long will I need to stay abroad? What are my chances? Will I feel supported throughout the process? Behind every treatment plan, there is also something deeply human — hope, uncertainty, and the search for the right doctor.

In this first episode of IVF Off The Clock, we meet Dr Alper Eraslan, an IVF specialist from Dunya IVF – North Cyprus, in Dublin. Rather than a formal medical Q&A, this conversation offers something more personal: a chance to see the doctor behind the title. Calm, thoughtful, and clearly passionate about his work, Dr Alper speaks about what still inspires him after eight years in fertility medicine, how he approaches individualized treatment, and why so many Irish patients consider North Cyprus for IVF.

Dr Alper, you’ve been working in fertility for eight years. After all this time, are there still things that inspire or excite you about your work?

Helping someone build a family is meaningful. And also, the field keeps evolving, so that keeps the work exciting.

So there’s always something new to learn?

Yes, exactly.

Are there any areas of fertility treatment that you particularly specialise in?

I specialise in individualised stimulation treatments, and also egg and embryo donation preparation cycles.

Can you tell us a bit more about that? What does that look like for patients?

We individualise treatments based on the patient’s age, previous history, and diagnosis, always aiming to maximise their chance of getting pregnant.

We’re here in Dublin today. What do Irish patients usually ask you about before starting treatment?

They generally ask about logistics. They want to know how long they have to stay in Cyprus, or how many times they may need to come. They also want to know whether the communication and support we establish at the beginning will continue in the same way throughout the process. These are the most common topics we are asked about.

Is this something you usually discuss during the first consultation?

Yes. Before even starting treatment, we have to explain what they will experience so that they have a clear idea of what is ahead of them.

That makes sense — not because you can guarantee a result or an exact timeline, but because patients need a realistic overview of the journey.

Exactly. We cannot, of course, 100% guarantee an outcome or a certain timeline, but at least they can have a broad understanding of what the treatment is like and what they are going to experience.

Do patients also ask about success rates?

Everyone asks about success rates. But instead of giving standardised statistics, we tend to calculate them according to the patient’s age, background, previous history, and diagnosis. We try to understand what their own chances will be.

So it’s not just about quoting general clinic statistics?

Exactly. We explain to them what those statistics are, and what they mean in their particular case.

And how do you help patients understand that in a practical way? Do you simply give them a number?

We share the numbers, but we also want them to understand what those numbers mean. Statistics can give us an idea, but for one particular couple, that is not the only thing they need to know before starting treatment. We also want to explain how we can maximise their chances, and what might be limiting those chances or probabilities. That is why we try to make patients understand what the statistics mean in practice.

Why do you think patients from Ireland choose North Cyprus as a destination for fertility treatment?

I think the main reason is that we do not have a waiting list, so patients do not have to wait for a couple of months before starting treatment. Donor availability is also high, and it is much more cost-efficient compared to prices in Ireland.

Apart from that, the regulatory environment in North Cyprus also allows genetic testing on embryos, which is another advantage. And of course, it is a sunny country, so patients can also enjoy some vacation time while undergoing fertility treatment.

When it comes to the treatments, what treatments do patients from Ireland usually come to you for? 

Generally, egg or embryo donation, and also the genetic testing that they would like to perform on their embryos. This is especially true for women over the age of 35 and for patients with many failed IVF attempts.

I wonder if there are differences in terms of accessing genetic testing between Ireland and North Cyprus?

In North Cyprus, you don’t have to have a specific medical indication for doing these genetic testings. You can undergo these tests just because you would like to learn more about your embryo.

You mentioned a big group of patients coming from Ireland for egg donation. How is that organised when you’re doing treatment in North Cyprus? 

First, they need to do blood tests and ultrasound checks at home to rule out any pathologies. If everything is fine, we ask them to inform us one month before they wish to start so we can synchronise their cycle with the donor’s. They can perform their first scan in Ireland to rule out cysts, then start endometrial preparation to make the uterus ready.

Roughly 12 to 14 days later, the partner arrives to provide the sperm on the same day as the donor’s egg retrieval. Five days later, we perform the embryo transfer.

So they can either come together for one week, or if they are coming separately, how long do they have to stay? We recommend the partner arrives one day before the egg retrieval to minimise the risk of flight delays. If they stay for the whole process, it’s about a week. It really depends on their personal schedule.

Do you offer fresh egg donation, frozen, or both? 

We offer both. Most of our patients prefer fresh oocytes, but patients flying from very long distances, like the US or Australia, often choose frozen eggs because we know exactly how many mature eggs we have in advance.

Is there a reason why you prefer doing fresh egg donation cycles? 

Success rate wise, the difference is not statistically significant, but fresh cycles have a slightly higher chance of producing a higher number of good quality embryos. However, in terms of live birth rates, they are not different at all.

How is a cycle with a patient’s own eggs organised for those coming from Ireland?

They start their treatment and initial scans in Ireland. After we see a response on a second scan (usually day five to seven), they come to North Cyprus. They can stay for about a week, or just arrive one day before the egg retrieval if they prefer to do all follow-up scans at home.

Is it possible to leave shortly after the retrieval if they are doing genetic testing? 

Yes. Since we cannot do a fresh transfer while waiting for genetic results—which takes two to three weeks—we freeze the embryos. They can fly back the same day or the day after the retrieval, and the transfer happens in a later cycle.

Do patients usually prefer to stay in Cyprus for the whole stimulation, or do they prepare at home? 

It is very individual. Some patients don’t want to spend much time away from work, so they only come for a few days. Others like to enjoy the island and come earlier to have us follow the whole process. Whichever is more convenient for the patient is okay with us.

Do you usually do a fresh or frozen transfer when working with a patient’s own eggs? 

Unless there is a medical reason—like high hormone levels, risk of hyperstimulation, or genetic testing—we prefer fresh embryo transfer. It shortens the time to pregnancy and studies show it can provide higher success rates.

What’s the availability of donor eggs like in North Cyprus? 

We have many donors from different ethnicities and age groups. In North Cyprus, the law allows donors between ages 18 and 35. However, at our clinic, we are stricter; we only accept donor candidates between the ages of 20 and 30 to ensure the best possible quality.

You mentioned that another big group of patients are interested in PGT-A genetic testing of embryos. Who is that testing suitable for and when do you recommend it? 

We generally recommend PGT-A testing only if it is clinically indicated, though it is ultimately the patient’s choice. It is most beneficial for patients over age 38, those with many embryos on day five, or patients experiencing recurrent miscarriages and repetitive IVF failures. It increases live birth rates per embryo transfer, but it is a screening method only—it does not correct any abnormalities.

How does that affect the patient’s timeline? Would they have to come to Cyprus for multiple trips? 

Yes, they would come for one cycle for the egg retrieval. Because we cannot get the genetic results within that same cycle, the embryos are frozen. The patient then returns for a second cycle, at the earliest, for the embryo transfer. This can be postponed for months or even a year if they wish, as the embryos remain stable while frozen.

Since it is just a screening test and doesn’t correct abnormalities, for whom is it actually worth it? 

Proper counseling is vital because the test has limitations, such as the risk of false results or the biopsy not representing the whole embryo. It is definitely worth it for those over 38 or with a history of failure and miscarriage. For the rest of the population, it’s a question mark, and we make sure to discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and strengths before they decide.

Are there specific reasons why you would recommend egg donation? 

Egg donation has the highest success rate of all IVF treatments. It is a very viable option for women in the menopausal stage who can no longer provide follicles. It is also an option for patients who are tired after multiple failed attempts with their own eggs, or for those with specific genetic conditions who want to maximize their chances.

What is your experience working with patients over 50? Is there an age limit? 

We don’t have a strict age limit, but we follow Ministry of Health rules to ensure the mother’s safety. After age 45, we require a specific list of tests, such as cardiologist and internal medicine reports, to document that the lady is fit for pregnancy. After age 55, additional consultations and ethical committee opinions are required. We want to ensure there are no chronic diseases or risks that could threaten the mother or the fetus.

Is there anything that needs to be done during treatment to make sure the chances for patients over 50 are optimised? 

Because these patients are often near or post-menopausal, we evaluate their medications and health very closely. Crucially, we always recommend single embryo transfer for patients over 45 or 50. Pregnancy risks like miscarriage, pre-term delivery, diabetes, and hypertension are already increased at this age, and those risks rise significantly with twins or triplets.

Is there any extra care or monitoring these patients should seek once they return to their home country? 

During pregnancy, yes. They should seek frequent follow-ups. Also, for prenatal testing in their home country, they must provide the donor’s date of birth rather than their own age for the results to be accurate. We provide that exact information so their obstetrician can evaluate the risks correctly.

Why do patients from Ireland choose Dunya IVF Clinic? 

Patients appreciate our open communication and individualized, evidence-based treatments. We have high donor availability and no waiting lists. Additionally, the costs are more achievable, the legislation allows for genetic testing, and patients can enjoy the sun in North Cyprus while undergoing treatment.

Could you tell us about a specific case where you supported a couple from Ireland? 

We recently had a patient who came to us after six failed IVF attempts and with a low ovarian reserve. We decided on embryo pooling and genetic testing. After three cycles, we found one healthy embryo and performed the transfer at the end of last year. She is currently 15 weeks pregnant.

For viewers who might not be familiar, what is embryo pooling and who is it useful for? 

Embryo pooling involves performing ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, but instead of doing a transfer, we cryopreserve the embryos (with or without genetic testing). The logic is to accumulate as many embryos as possible over multiple cycles. This is recommended for patients with low ovarian reserve who want to do genetic testing but need to gather enough embryos to find a healthy one while their ovaries are still producing follicles.

 

Is there a set age limit when it comes to treatments using a patient’s own eggs?

It is a difficult question. As long as a patient is still producing follicles and wants to try, we can proceed. However, we must be realistic about what science can offer. After age 45, success rates are very low and the risk of chromosomal abnormalities is above 90%. While we don’t discourage patients, we often suggest that if resources are limited, egg donation may be a more logical and cost-efficient path. Ultimately, the patient makes the final decision.

What advice would you give to patients in their 40s who haven’t had treatment yet but want to use their own eggs?

If they want to give their ovaries a try, they should. They can always keep egg or embryo donation as a “Plan B.” After age 45, success rates decrease every year, but for many, it is important to try with their own genetic material first after a proper consultation.

Are there BMI limits at your clinic, and how does weight affect treatment? 

BMI is very important as it impacts ovarian response, embryo quality, and pregnancy complications. For IVF with own eggs, we strongly recommend a BMI below 32. For egg or embryo donation, we recommend it be below 35. We prefer patients work with a dietitian or personal trainer for controlled, healthy weight loss rather than extreme dieting, as this maximizes success rates.

How do you individualise protocols for patients who are over 40? 

Individualisation is about more than just adjusting medication doses. We look at the patient’s previous history, BMI, and any past IVF attempts. We also discuss necessary lifestyle changes. Every protocol is built specifically for that individual’s biological markers.

Do you have specific protocols for patients with autoimmune conditions like arthritis? 

The most important factor is that the disease is well-controlled. We require a consultation with a rheumatologist. We must be very careful with certain medications; for example, methotrexate, often used for psoriatic arthritis, is dangerous during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there is currently no strong evidence that specific immunotherapies or immune modulators significantly increase success rates.

Is there any evidence that NAD+ infusions improve egg quality? 

While NAD+ has shown efficiency in animal studies, randomized control trials in humans have not yet shown any benefit. At this stage, the benefits for human fertility remain uncertain.

What can women do to improve their success rates or reduce the chance of implantation failure? 

It sounds simple but is difficult to do: live a healthy lifestyle. We recommend a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and olive oil instead of greasy or salty foods. Regular, steady exercise—like a brisk walk rather than just “shopping around”—is helpful. Most importantly: stop smoking, limit alcohol, control body weight, and try to lower stress levels.

Is the PNT (Pronuclear Transfer) procedure performed in North Cyprus? 

We do not perform it at our clinic as it is regarded as highly experimental. This procedure involves placing the patient’s DNA into a donor egg that has had its DNA removed to utilize younger mitochondria. While it aims to help couples with poor egg quality use their own DNA, we do not offer it due to its experimental status.

Final Thoughts 

We aim to provide evidence-based, honest consultations. By sharing these scientific realities before treatment begins, we help patients make the most informed decisions for their families.