'/%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
Fertility treatment for single women
If you are a single woman considering fertility treatment, we provide you with an overview of your options here.
Starting fertility treatment as a single woman is big decision
More and more women without a partner are choosing to have a child on their own with the help of a sperm donor. The number of so-called solo mothers is steadily growing, and we see this reflected here at Diers Fertility Clinic.
We understand that deciding to begin fertility treatment as a single woman is not easy and involves many considerations before taking the first step.
On this page, we aim to introduce you to the options available to you as a single woman considering becoming a solo mother.
We are here to guide you through every step of the way.
Treatment options
IUI treatment – the natural first step
If you are healthy and have a natural menstrual cycle, IUI treatment is often the first step in fertility treatment.
IUI (intrauterine insemination) is the most natural form of fertility treatment. It requires no hormonal medication or medical intervention.
During the procedure, donor sperm is gently introduced into your uterus using a catheter, allowing fertilisation to occur naturally within your body.
You can take a pregnancy test 14 days after the insemination.
IVF treatment
If IUI treatment is unsuccessful after a few attempts, you might consider moving on to IVF treatment.
IVF, also known as in vitro fertilisation, is more invasive than insemination and involves several steps.
The process begins with hormone treatment to stimulate egg production, followed by an egg retrieval procedure. The retrieved eggs are then fertilised in our IVF laboratory. If the fertilised eggs develop as expected, a blastocyst can be transferred back into the uterus.
Ten days after the transfer, a blood test can confirm whether or not you are pregnant.
Donor egg IVF
IVF with donated eggs is recommended if it becomes clear during IVF treatment that your own eggs cannot be used for fertilisation. This is often the final step in fertility treatment
As a single woman undergoing egg donation, you will need to select both a sperm donor and an egg donor. This process is also referred to as double donation.
The egg donor will undergo hormone treatment and egg retrieval, after which the eggs are fertilised with donor sperm.
How do I know where to start?
If you are a healthy single woman with a natural menstrual cycle, we typically recommend starting fertility treatment with IUI (intrauterine insemination). This method allows you to try for pregnancy in the most natural way possible—without a partner.
Consider your Age
A woman’s age plays a significant role in fertility treatment. Unfortunately, fertility declines sharply with age, particularly after 35, when a noticeable drop occurs. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t conceive naturally if you are 35 or older.
If you are in your late 30s or early 40s, it might be worth considering IVF (in vitro fertilisation). Many women opt to try IUI once or twice before moving on to IVF, while others prefer to begin with IVF directly.
We are here to guide you in choosing the best treatment option for your individual circumstances.
Get a fertility screening
Most single women are unaware of their current fertility status, and because everyone is different, there is no universal answer for when to choose a specific type of fertility treatment.
We recommend having a fertility screening if you’re unsure whether to start with IUI or go directly to IVF.
A fertility screening can provide insights into:
- Your egg reserve
- Potential signs of endometriosis or PCOS
- Whether your fallopian tubes are open and functioning properly
This information will help you make informed decisions about your next fertility treatment steps.
