When should a couple seek medical advice for infertility?

After 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse without conception if the woman is under 35, or after 6 months if she is 35 or older. With known fertility-affecting conditions, evaluation can begin sooner.

What are the basic tests in a fertility evaluation?

Ovarian reserve assessment (AMH blood test, AFC by ultrasound), tubal-patency assessment, semen analysis, and hormonal panel. Additional tests are added based on the clinical history.

When is hysteroscopy indicated?

To investigate recurrent miscarriage, failed IVF cycles, or ultrasound findings that need further evaluation — polyps, fibroids, intrauterine adhesions, or a uterine septum.

Is hysteroscopy painful?

Diagnostic hysteroscopy is performed in the office without anaesthesia and is usually well tolerated. Operative hysteroscopy is carried out in a hospital setting under light anaesthesia.

When is ovulation induction recommended?

When ovulation is irregular or absent, most often in polycystic ovary syndrome. We use letrozole as a first-line option in line with international guidelines, with ultrasound monitoring.

How many ovulation-induction cycles before considering IVF?

Typically 3 to 6 cycles. If pregnancy is not achieved we reassess the strategy taking into account the woman's age, ovarian reserve, and any other contributing factors.

When is intrauterine insemination (IUI) recommended?

For mild male-factor infertility, unexplained infertility, or couples with at least one patent fallopian tube and an adequate sperm sample after processing.

How many IUI attempts before moving to IVF?

Up to 3 or 4 attempts, individualised. If pregnancy is not achieved and the woman's age is a critical factor, we move to IVF earlier.

When is IVF / ICSI indicated?

Tubal-factor infertility, severe male-factor infertility, endometriosis, failure of simpler treatments, diminished ovarian reserve, age-related infertility, or when preimplantation genetic testing is required.

What is the difference between IVF and ICSI?

In conventional IVF, sperm are placed around the egg and fertilise it on their own. In ICSI a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. The choice depends mainly on the semen-sample quality.

When is preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) recommended?

PGT-A in advanced maternal age or recurrent implantation failure / miscarriage. PGT-M or PGT-SR when one or both parents carry a known monogenic disorder or a structural chromosomal rearrangement.

How is the embryo biopsy performed for PGT?

At the blastocyst stage (day 5–6), a few cells are biopsied from the trophectoderm — the part that becomes the placenta, not the embryo itself. Embryos are cryopreserved while the genetic result is processed.

When is egg donation recommended?

In significantly diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, recurrent IVF failures using own eggs, or known genetic conditions that the donor does not carry.

Is egg donation anonymous in Greece?

Yes. In Greece gamete donation is anonymous and altruistic under Law 3305/2005 (as amended by Law 4737/2020). The donor is selected by the medical team based on medical criteria and phenotypic matching.

When is egg freezing (fertility preservation) recommended?

Before cancer treatment that may damage the ovaries, in women wishing to defer motherhood for social reasons, or before ovarian surgery. Age at the time of freezing is the strongest determinant of future success.

How many eggs need to be frozen?

It depends on age and target. The "How many eggs do I need to freeze" calculator on the home page, based on the Goldman et al. 2017 model, estimates the chance of a live birth for a given egg count and age.

Reproductive medicine services

Medically reviewed by Prof. Stratis Kolibianakis, MD, MSc, PhD · Thessaloniki Medical Chamber Reg. No. 16340 · Last reviewed 4 May 2026

The full spectrum — from fertility investigation and IVF to fertility preservation. Each plan is designed around your age, ovarian reserve and personal goals, in line with international guidelines (ESHRE, ASRM).

Fertility investigation

Investigation is not limited to the couple’s fertility. It is organised around two axes, since a healthy pregnancy presupposes the broader health of the future mother.

1. Investigation of the couple’s fertility. Begins when a couple has not conceived after 12 months of trying — or 6 months if the woman is 35 or older. In the woman: ovarian reserve assessment (AMH via blood test, AFC via ultrasound) and tubal patency check by painless foam hysterosalpingography. In the man: a semen analysis.

2. Health of the future mother. Identifying conditions that can affect pregnancy outcome so they can be addressed before conception — alongside a general preventive check before the start of pregnancy.

Results are discussed with a written summary and a clear plan of next steps.

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Hysteroscopy

With hysteroscopy we examine and treat conditions of the uterine cavity using a thin endoscope. It is indicated after recurrent implantation failure, in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss, when ultrasound suggests polyps or submucosal fibroids, or in clinical suspicion of intrauterine adhesions (e.g. after a uterine procedure). Procedure lasts 10–30 minutes with a recovery of a few hours.

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Ovulation induction

Ovulation induction is for women with menstrual-cycle disorders (such as polycystic ovary syndrome) or unexplained infertility. We administer letrozole or low-dose gonadotrophins, with ultrasound monitoring every 2–3 days. When a mature follicle develops (≥17 mm), we schedule timed intercourse or insemination. The goal is one mature follicle per cycle to minimise the risk of multiple pregnancy.

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Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a simple, painless procedure performed at the IVF clinic. It is recommended as a first step in mild male-factor infertility, unexplained infertility, or when donor sperm is used. We process the sperm sample (from the partner or from the donor), select the most motile spermatozoa, and place them in the uterus with a thin catheter. Up to 3 IUI cycles are recommended before transitioning to IVF.

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IVF & ICSI

IVF is the cornerstone of assisted reproduction. We design an individualised stimulation protocol based on age, ovarian reserve (AMH via blood test, AFC via ultrasound) and previous attempts, following the international guidelines (ESHRE, ASRM) for ovarian stimulation. We perform egg retrieval transvaginally under light anaesthesia. Embryo transfer is either fresh (3–5 days later) or in a subsequent cycle after a freeze-all of all embryos, depending on the protocol that suits you. In severe male-factor infertility or previous fertilisation failure we use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). See in our calculator the predicted chance of pregnancy based on your case.

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Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)

We apply preimplantation genetic testing at the blastocyst stage before transfer. PGT-A screens for chromosomal aneuploidies. The test can be done in women aged 38 or older, in women with two or more miscarriages, or in three or more failed IVF attempts. PGT-M detects specific inherited monogenic conditions when one or both parents are known carriers. PGT-SR detects structural chromosomal rearrangements (e.g. translocations, inversions) in known carriers. PGT-HLA selects embryos that are HLA-compatible with a sick sibling who needs a transplant. We perform trophectoderm biopsy on day 5–6 and send the sample to an accredited genetics laboratory. See in our calculator how PGT-A changes the chance of pregnancy.

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Egg donation

Egg donation offers a realistic chance of pregnancy for women with diminished or depleted ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, or significant risk of genetic disease transmission. Donors are anonymous, aged 18–35, and we screen them rigorously per Greek law. We match donors based on the recipient’s phenotypic characteristics, prepare the recipient’s endometrium, and schedule the embryo transfer. Owing to the donors’ young age, pregnancy rates are high and independent of the recipient’s age.

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Fertility preservation

We offer fertility preservation to women before oncological treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and to women who wish to defer motherhood for social reasons. The technique is vitrification of oocytes or embryos following ovarian stimulation. In selected cases (e.g. urgent oncological treatment) we also offer ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The ideal age is before 35 — from 38 onward, success rates decline significantly. See in our calculator how many eggs you may need, based on your age and desired family size.

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Ready for the first step?

At the first visit we discuss your history and any previous tests, and we plan your treatment. Monday, Wednesday, Friday · 16:00 – 20:00.

Reproductive medicine services

Fertility investigation

Hysteroscopy

Ovulation induction

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

IVF & ICSI

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)

Egg donation

Fertility preservation

Ready for the first step?

Clinical information sources and references