IVF for Single Women
IVF treatments for single women
IVF (in vitro fertilisation) for single women has become an increasingly common option of fertility treatments and combined with the extended use of artificial insemination treatments like Intrauterine insemination (IUI), or egg freezing, not having, or choosing not to have a partner is no longer a barrier to achieving a pregnancy. Single women can now access fertility treatments in a fertility clinic in many countries addressing any fertility problems solo mums may relate to their biological clock, e.g. low ovarian reserve. Before deciding to access IVF without a partner you should be aware of different legal implications which exist around donor identification, donor insemination and treatment eligibility in different countries.
IVF for single mothers is an achievable goal; there are diverse and screened donors in most countries that will match your requirements, and your fertility doctor will help you prepare for a successful treatment, whether it will be your first baby or a sibling for your other children.
Any fertility journey that requires treatment will carry risks, but these are mitigated by the very high standards of care and support offered by the best fertility clinics. This article will consider treatment options for IVF for single women and those countries which offer the best chance to conceive and start your own family in the future.
IVF for single mothers using donor eggs or sperm, or double donation
In vitro fertilisation for single women is perfectly possible without the need for a partner. There are many treatment options available that offer an alternative to a natural cycle. patients may already have a sperm donor before they first visit a fertility clinic. For those that do not, clinics will provide donor sperm of candidates who have been screened and, depending on the country in which you have treatment, you will be offered information about the donor. This might include basic details regarding a person’s race, age, blood type, RH factor, eye and hair colour, height, weight and completed education. In some countries, the donor is identifiable and can be contacted by a child born as a result of their donation when the children reach 18.
Equally, if you need an egg donor, a fertility clinic will offer screened egg donors with healthy games. In most European countries sperm and egg donors
- are aged between 18 and 35,
- and will be in good fertility and general health.
Donors will be screened to ensure that they are not carriers of any genetic abnormalities or diseases and will undergo detailed medical and psychological tests.
If you are a single woman and your GP or fertility specialist has indicated that the chance of you getting pregnant with your own eggs is extremely unlikely you may be offered double donation (IVF with donor eggs and sperm) or embryo donation treatment. The former uses donor eggs and donor sperm and the latter offers embryos that have already been created and are no longer required by the donor(s). All these affordable options of conceiving for single women are available throughout Europe with some exceptions as we shall see, and also in the United States.
IVF for single parents – best countries and IVF clinics
The most popular destinations offering IVF for single mothers in Europe are:
All of these countries offer IVF for solo mums involving sperm and/or egg donors whose identities are not shared with patients although specific information will be shared to confirm the donor’s health and phenotype and, depending on the country, additional personal detail such as level of education, height, and so on.
Countries Where IVF Is Not Possible for Single Women
Not every destination permits single women to access IVF. There are 3 popular countries which don’t allow IVF treatment for single woman.
| Country | IVF for Single Women | Main Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Not available | Single women cannot receive IVF treatment |
| Turkey | Not available | Single women cannot receive IVF treatment |
| Poland | Not available | Single women cannot receive IVF treatment |
These destinations therefore should not be considered in the same way as Spain, Greece, North Cyprus or Portugal when treatment is being sought by a woman without a partner.
IVF without a partner: final thoughts
IVF for single women is available in most European countries. Fertility clinics will invariably have a good supply of egg and sperm donors with diverse physical traits and in most countries, there will be no or very short waiting list.
There are a number of IVF treatments that can be offered to single women using donor sperm, eggs, embryos or a combination of both sperm and eggs before embryo development. Countries will vary in terms of whether details regarding donors are shared with solo patients as will the costs of treatment. It is always advisable, therefore, to undertake thorough research before committing to a particular type of treatment in a specific destination.
IVF for Single Women: Country Comparison
| Destination | IVF for Single Women | Donor Treatment for Single Women | Important Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Available | Donor sperm; donor eggs where medically appropriate | Broad access to assisted reproduction for single women |
| Greece | Available | Donor sperm and donor eggs | Additional legal/consent formalities apply to unmarried women |
| North Cyprus | Available | Donor sperm, donor eggs and double donation | Check current Ministry and clinic eligibility requirements before treatment |
| Portugal | Available | Donor sperm; donor eggs where medically appropriate | Access is permitted regardless of marital status |
| Germany | Available, but clinic-dependent | Donor sperm available; donor eggs prohibited | Access and clinic policies should be checked individually |
| Italy | Not available | Not available to single women | PMA remains restricted to eligible heterosexual couples |
| Turkey | Not available | Not available | IVF is restricted to married heterosexual couples using their own gametes |
| Poland | Not available | Not available to single women | Assisted reproduction is restricted by relationship requirements |
IVF for single women – FAQ
Which countries allow IVF for single women?
Fertility legislation in different countries is subject to change over time. Presently single women cannot receive IVF treatment in a number of countries including Italy, Turkey, and Poland. France, however, is in the process of opening up access to single women after a recent legislative change. In Germany, it is not possible to undergo IVF treatment with the use of donated eggs but receiving sperm from a donor is acceptable.
How much does IVF cost?
The cost of IVF without a partner varies from €3,500 for an egg donation cycle to an upper range of €3,500 in some clinics in Spain. The ultimate price, however, will depend on the type of IVF procedures, whether or not they are combined with egg and/or sperm donation, and other procedures and tests.
Do the clinics have experience working with single women?
Not all clinics, unfortunately. Top IVF clinics have experience in offering IVF for single parents, and many of them cooperate or have their own sperm banks.
What is the typical timeline for an IVF cycle for a single woman?
8-12 weeks. The typical timeline could include a few stages such as a) initial consultation, b) donor selection, c) pre-treatment testing and preparation, d) stimulation and egg retrieval, e) embryo transfer preparation and transfer, f) post-transfer monitoring and testing of successful pregnancy. The timeline varies and also depends on individual circumstances, how complex your situation is, the response to medication, and so on. Older solo mums might require additional testing that might extend the timeline.
If you have chosen an experienced clinic, they might provide you with a detailed and/or tailored explanation of your IVF journey.
Is IVF for Single Women Available Throughout Europe?
IVF for single women is available in many European countries, but not everywhere. Spain, Greece, North Cyprus and Portugal are specifically identified as popular options.
Italy, Turkey and Poland are identified as countries where single women cannot receive IVF.
Germany requires a more specific assessment because donor sperm is described as acceptable while donated eggs are not.
Country eligibility should therefore be established before comparing treatment prices or individual fertility clinics.
What are the best clinics that offer fertility treatments for single women?
International patients often choose these clinics in our website:
- Clinica Tambre in Madrid, Spain
- UR Vistahermosa, Spain
- Eugin in Spain
- Dunya IVF Clinic in North Cyprus
- Cyprus IVF Hospital in North Cyprus
- emBIO Medical Center in Greece
- Newlife IVF in Greece
- and Ferticentro in Portugal
You may also be interested in reading What’s the Best Clinic Abroad for IVF at 40? or IVF over 50 – is IVF abroad an option?
