How Much Does IVF Really Cost Over Time? A Cycle-by-Cycle Look

For many couples, IVF is not a one-time expense but a journey that spans multiple attempts and many months. While most guides focus on the cost of a single IVF cycle, it’s important to understand how those costs can build over time and what a realistic long-term budget looks like. In this blog, we take a cycle-by-cycle view to help couples prepare for the full financial picture.

Starting with the first cycle, most people will pay between £5,000 and £9,000 depending on whether they use add-ons such as ICSI or genetic screening. This includes consultations, medications, scans, egg retrieval, lab fertilisation, and embryo transfer. If the cycle results in a successful pregnancy, the cost ends here. But for many, it does not.

If the first cycle fails or produces embryos to freeze, couples may go on to attempt a frozen embryo transfer. FET cycles typically cost between £1,200 and £2,000. However, frozen embryo transfers still require medication, monitoring, and aftercare. Some clinics offer package deals that reduce these costs, but they often exclude add-ons.

If another full cycle is needed, the process — and the cost — begins again. With each new stimulation cycle, medication needs may increase. Cumulative costs add up: the second round may cost similar to the first, or slightly more depending on changes to treatment protocol. So by the end of two full IVF cycles and one FET, a couple could easily have spent £12,000 to £18,000.

Add to this the potential for emotional breaks between cycles, time off work, counselling, or complementary therapies like acupuncture, and the real cost of IVF goes beyond the medical bill. Some couples pursue as many as three or four IVF cycles before achieving success or changing paths. This raises the financial investment to well over £20,000 in many cases.

For this reason, some clinics offer multi-cycle or refund plans. These packages can cost £10,000 to £17,000 and typically cover up to three cycles with a refund guarantee if no live birth occurs. While expensive upfront, they can offer cost savings over time and protect against total loss if treatment fails.

It’s also worth noting that NHS coverage — if available — can drastically reduce the early-stage costs. However, funding is limited, varies by location, and may only cover one cycle. Couples often have to return to private treatment if NHS-funded IVF fails.

Realistically, anyone beginning IVF should plan financially for two or more cycles. This means understanding that the true cost of IVF is not just the figure on the first invoice. It’s the combined investment over time, including second and third cycles, additional tests, and personal expenses outside the clinic.

Real-Life Example: Hannah and James budgeted £6,000 for IVF. After two failed cycles and one FET, they had spent over £16,000. Had they invested in a multi-cycle plan, they might have saved significantly. The experience taught them the importance of planning for the long haul.

Final Thoughts: IVF is rarely a one-and-done treatment. Understanding how costs build over time helps reduce financial shocks and supports better emotional planning. Taking a cycle-by-cycle view offers a more honest and realistic approach to budgeting for fertility treatment.