What is the Tandem Cycle Method?
Tandem cycle (egg or sperm supplementation) is a treatment option used in cases where the ovarian reserve is significantly diminished in female patients or when the sperm count/quality is very low, aiming to increase the chances of pregnancy. In this treatment, both conventional IVF and egg/sperm donation are combined.
In a tandem cycle, the eggs of the female patient are stimulated and collected using medications, similar to a regular IVF procedure. Simultaneously, eggs from an egg donor are also collected, or the chosen donor egg from a bank is subjected to microinjection on the same day. The performance of both eggs is monitored in the laboratory, and the best-developing embryo is selected for transfer to the female patient.
Similarly, if necessary, sperm obtained from the male patient and sperm selected from the bank, which meets the patient’s requirements, can be used in the same cycle. All embryos are monitored in the laboratory, and the best-developing embryo is chosen for transfer.
For sperm selection, we use certified sperm obtained from internationally distributed banks. Our sperm inventory is sourced from these banks with special permission from the Ministry of Health, offering various sperm options of different blood types and ethnicities.
What are the Advantages of the Tandem Cycle Method?
- The tandem cycle is applied to patients with a low ovarian reserve who prefer not to undergo direct egg donation.
- It can also be used for patients with significantly low sperm count and quality, as well as those who have experienced poor embryo development and failed pregnancies in previous attempts.
- This method preserves the chance of achieving pregnancy using the patient’s own eggs.
- If the intended mother and father cannot obtain embryos using their own eggs or sperm, embryos obtained from donor eggs and sperm are used, ensuring that the treatment is not canceled. This eases the process for the patient both financially and emotionally.
- Embryos obtained from the patient and the donor are stored separately to prevent mixing, and their development is monitored in the laboratory. Due to the large number of eggs resulting in multiple embryos, the embryos can be frozen and stored for future use.
- When it is time for embryo transfer, the selection of the embryo to be transferred is based on its quality. If the embryos derived from the patient’s eggs meet the desired quality, the transfer is initially performed using these embryos.
- If the embryos resulting from the patient’s eggs are healthy, only the patient’s embryos are used. However, if the embryos are not of desired quality, the process is completed using embryos obtained from donor eggs, which are kept as a backup.
- Any remaining embryos can be frozen for future use if desired.
How to Select an Egg Donor in the Tandem Cycle Method?
We have the widest donor pool in Cyprus, consisting of donors from different ethnic backgrounds. Thanks to our extensive donor pool, we can provide you with a suitable donor match in a very short time.
For sperm selection, we use certified sperm obtained from sperm banks that provide services abroad. Our sperm inventory includes a variety of sperm options with different blood types and ethnic backgrounds, which have been obtained with special permission from the Ministry of Health.
We are the only hospital in Cyprus that conducts detailed screening tests for genetic carrier status of diseases such as karyotype, cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, SMA, DMD, Fragile X, and others for all egg donors.
We track the egg performance of our donors using special software. As the most established hospital in Cyprus, dedicated to IVF treatments, we have created over 80,000 success stories to date. Take the first step towards realizing your dream of having a baby.
