Ovarian Stimulation in IVF – Dr. Aksoy’s Guide
Ovarian Stimulation in IVF: Your Step-by-Step Guide in Istanbul
If you’re starting your IVF journey, one of the very first—and most important—steps is ovarian stimulation. This is when we use gentle, carefully monitored fertility medication to help your ovaries mature several eggs at once, rather than the single egg they usually produce each month. Why? Because more eggs give us more chances for healthy embryos, and ultimately, a higher chance of pregnancy.
At Dr. Senai Aksoy’s IVF clinic in Istanbul, our approach to controlled ovarian stimulation blends the latest science with personal, attentive care. Whether you’re a local patient or travelling from abroad, we’ll make sure you understand every stage before we move forward.
What Exactly Is Ovarian Stimulation?
In a natural menstrual cycle, your body selects just one follicle to grow and release an egg. With IVF, we step in to recruit multiple follicles using gonadotropin injections—fertility medications containing FSH and sometimes LH—so we have several eggs to work with.
Your exact IVF stimulation protocol depends on factors like your age, ovarian reserve, medical history and previous treatment response.
Getting Started: Baseline Checks
We typically begin on day 2 of your menstrual cycle with an ultrasound scan and sometimes a blood test. We’re looking for two green lights:
- No ovarian cysts that could interfere with stimulation
- A thin uterine lining, ready for a fresh start
If everything looks good, we’ll tailor your medication plan and teach you how to self-administer injections—something most patients find easier than they expect.
How Long Does Stimulation Last?
Most stimulation cycles take 10–12 days. At first, you’ll come in every few days for follicle monitoring via ultrasound and hormone tests. As the eggs grow, we’ll see you more frequently to fine-tune your medication dose.
When your follicles reach the right size (around 18–20 mm), we’ll give you a “trigger shot”—usually hCG or a GnRH agonist—to prepare your eggs for egg retrieval.
The Main IVF Protocols We Use
We offer several evidence-based stimulation approaches:
- Antagonist Protocol – Starts with FSH injections, later adding a GnRH antagonist to prevent early ovulation.
- Long Agonist Protocol – Temporarily suppresses natural hormones before starting stimulation, allowing for very controlled growth.
- Mini-IVF / Natural Cycle – Uses lower doses or no medication, suited to certain patient profiles.
Side effects like mild bloating, mood swings, or temporary tenderness at injection sites are common but usually short-lived.
When We Adjust or Cancel a Cycle
Your ovaries won’t always respond exactly as expected—and that’s okay. Sometimes one follicle grows too quickly (poor response) or too many grow at once (risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, OHSS). In these cases, we may:
- Lower or raise your medication dose
- Convert your cycle to IUI instead of IVF
- Freeze all embryos for transfer in a later, safer cycle
- Switch to a minimal stimulation approach
Our priority is your safety and long-term success.
Lifestyle Tips to Support Your Cycle
Small, consistent habits can make a difference:
- Eat well – Whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, colourful vegetables
- Move moderately – Walking, swimming, gentle yoga
- Manage stress – Meditation, breathing exercises, journaling
- Avoid smoking & excess alcohol – Both can affect egg quality
We can connect you with nutrition and wellness experts to support your treatment.
Special Care for International Patients
We’ve guided patients from the UK, USA, Europe, and the Middle East through IVF in Istanbul. Our multilingual team (English, French, Arabic) helps with everything from travel arrangements to finding comfortable accommodation.
Our clinic is centrally located, so while you focus on treatment, you can also enjoy the city’s culture and hospitality.
Take the Next Step
Ovarian stimulation is just one chapter in your IVF story—but it’s a vital one. If you’re ready to move forward, explore our related guides:
Contact us at [email protected] or call +90 507 380 28 05 for a personalised consultation. Please note: Egg donation, sperm donation, and surrogacy are prohibited in Turkey and not available at our clinic.