Stage 5 – Your treatment plan

You are now ready to start your treatment. Both yours and your donor’s treatment need to be synchronised so you are both ready at the right time. Your Programme coordinator in the UK will be planning your treatment with your coordinator in Cyprus to ensure things go smoothly.

You will receive a package of medication to your home at a time convenient to you as well as a full treatment plan outlining what to take, when to take it and when to come for a scan. Don’t forget you can phone our programme coordinator anytime if you have questions.

If you are menopausal (i.e. with no periods):
Oral Oestradiol Valerate (Progynova) tablets are given for 10-12 days to thicken the lining of your uterus (endometrium). An ultrasound scan will then be performed to check the endometrial thickness. Progesterone support (Cyclogest) will commence 3-4 days before the embryo transfer to help the endometrium maintain a pregnancy. You will continue to take this after the embryo transfer up to your pregnancy test and beyond to­ 12 weeks if you are pregnant.

Patients with naturally occurring periods (i.e. not thought to be menopausal)
You may first need to take oral contraceptives before starting treatment. This is so we can control your cycle and time when to progress with other medication.

In order to synchronise both yours and your donor’s cycle for embryo transfer, it is essential to "switch off" your cycle using a long protocol.
You will need to take Nafarelin (Synarel) nasal spray or a similar preparation such as a one off injection.

You will then take oral Oestradiol Valerate (Progynova) tablets to thicken the lining of the uterus and Progesterone support (Cyclogest).
This medication regime is continued until a pregnancy test is performed.
A more detailed explanation of the medication and any possible side effects will be given to you by your programme coordinator.

At this stage (when you start taking Progynova tablets) you will know with some certainty when you will be going to Cyprus and can therefore arrange your travel and accommodation. It is likely that you will require approximately 7-10 days in Cyprus. If you would like assistance with your arrangements, our travel partner is Green Island Holidays, based at Great Portland Street in London. They are experts in travel to Cyprus and will work with you to tailor make your arrangements for you.
Click here to learn more about the travel options available to you.