Access criteria for in vitro fertilisation (IVF)

1.39 Access criteria for IVF

1.39.1

When considering IVF as a treatment option for fertility problems, discuss the risks and benefits of IVF in accordance with the current Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice. [2013]

1.39.2

Take ovarian reserve into account when discussing the option of IVF treatment (see recommendation 1.18.4 in the section on ovarian reserve testing). [2026]

1.39.3

Offer IVF treatment to women, and trans men and non-binary people with female reproductive organs who have not yet reached their 42nd birthday, if:

there is a diagnosed cause of infertility for which other treatments are not suitable or have not been successful, or
they have unexplained fertility problems and have not conceived after 2 years of regular unprotected vaginal intercourse, with or without intrauterine insemination (IUI; see recommendation 1.38.3 in the section on unexplained fertility problems in people trying to conceive through unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse), or
they have not conceived after 12 cycles of artificial insemination (where 6 or more cycles are by IUI). [2026]

1.39.4

Inform people that normally, a full cycle of IVF treatment, with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), should comprise 1 episode of ovarian stimulation and the transfer of any resultant fresh and frozen embryo(s). [2013]

1.39.5

Healthcare providers should define a cancelled IVF cycle as one where an egg collection procedure is not undertaken. Take into account cancelled cycles due to low ovarian response when considering if further IVF treatment is suitable. [2013]

1.39.6

If the woman, or trans man or non-binary person with female reproductive organs is under 40 years and meets the criteria in recommendation 1.39.3, offer an initial 3 full cycles of IVF treatment. If they reach their 40th birthday without conceiving, complete any current full cycle of IVF but do not offer any more cycles. [2026]

1.39.7

If the woman, or trans man or non-binary person with female reproductive organs is under 40 years and has not conceived after 3 full cycles of IVF treatment:

discuss the probability of success and the implications of more treatment, and
consider up to 3 further full cycles of IVF treatment.

If they reach their 40th birthday without conceiving, complete any current full cycle of IVF but do not offer any more cycles. [2026]

1.39.8

If the woman, or trans man or non-binary person with female reproductive organs is under 40 and has previously had self-funded IVF treatment, do not rule out access to NHS-funded IVF treatment, but count any previous full IVF cycle (whether self-funded or NHS-funded) in the total number of full cycles offered by the NHS. [2013, amended 2026]

1.39.9

If the woman, or trans man or non-binary person with female reproductive organs is 40 or 41 years, meets the criteria in recommendation 1.39.3 and has not had IVF treatment before, offer 1 full cycle of IVF treatment. [2026]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the 2026 recommendations and how they might affect practice, see the rationale and impact section on access criteria for IVF.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in: