How Does the Gender Selection Process Work in Cyprus?

Gender Selection in Cyprus: Process, Costs & Success Rates

 

If you are looking into family balancing, you have likely heard that Cyprus is one of the world's leading destinations for gender selection. But how does it actually work? Put simply, the process involves creating embryos through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and then testing those embryos to determine their chromosomal makeup. This allows doctors to identify which embryos are male and which are female before they are placed in the womb.

In this guide, we are going to walk through every step of the journey, from the initial consultation to the final pregnancy test. Cyprus has become a hub for this because the local regulations are favorable for family balancing, and the medical facilities use cutting-edge genetic screening technology. Whether you are hoping for a son or a daughter to complete your family, understanding the medical and legal landscape in Cyprus is the first step toward making your dream a reality.

What is the primary method for gender selection in Cyprus?

The most reliable way to choose the sex of your child is through IVF with PGT-A. In the past, people talked about "sperm sorting" methods like MicroSort, but these are significantly less accurate. In Cyprus, clinics focus on chromosomal screening because it offers nearly 100% accuracy in identifying sex.

During this process, the mother undergoes ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then fertilized in a lab. Once the embryos reach the blastocyst stage (usually day 5), a few cells are carefully removed and tested. This embryo biopsy tells the specialists whether the embryo has XX (female) or XY (male) chromosomes.

Is gender selection legal in Cyprus?

Cyprus is unique because its legal framework allows for family balancing. This means that if a couple already has children of one sex and wishes to have a child of the opposite sex, they can legally undergo sex selection. This is a major reason why international patients travel to the island, as many European and Middle Eastern countries have strict bans on non-medical gender selection.

Additionally, medical gender selection is permitted to avoid sex-linked diseases such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or Hemophilia, which primarily affect one gender. The regulations in Northern Cyprus are particularly well-known for being accommodating to international families seeking these reproductive options.

What is the step-by-step process of gender selection in Cyprus?

The journey begins with a fertility assessment and blood tests in your home country. Once the treatment starts, the mother takes hormonal medications for about 10-12 days to stimulate the ovaries. This is followed by a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval.

• Fertilization: Eggs are fertilized using ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) to ensure high fertilization rates.
• Biopsy: On day 5, a biopsy is taken from the trophectoderm (the part that becomes the placenta).
• Genetic Testing: The PGT-A results reveal the gender and chromosomal health of each embryo.
• Embryo Transfer: Only the healthy embryos of the chosen gender are transferred into the uterus.

What is the cost of gender selection in Cyprus?

Pricing for gender selection packages in Cyprus is generally much lower than in the United States or Australia. However, it is higher than standard IVF because of the added genetic laboratory fees. The total cost usually depends on the number of embryos being tested and whether additional techniques like NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) are used.

Below is a comparison of estimated costs for gender selection services across different regions to give you a better perspective on why Cyprus is a preferred choice:

Region/Country	Estimated IVF + PGT-A Cost	Legal Status for Balancing
Cyprus	$5,500 - $8,500	Legal (Family Balancing)
USA	$15,000 - $30,000	Legal
UK	$8,000 - $12,000	Medical Reasons Only
Thailand	$9,000 - $13,000	Restricted

How accurate is the gender selection process?

When using PGT-A or NGS, the lab experts are looking directly at the DNA. Because they are identifying the presence of a Y chromosome, the chance of a "mistake" regarding the gender is extremely low—less than 1%. This makes chromosomal testing the gold standard for parents who want a specific result.

It is important to note that while the gender identification is accurate, the success of the overall IVF procedure depends on other factors like embryo quality and maternal age. The testing ensures you know the gender, but it doesn't guarantee that the embryo will result in a live birth.

What is the difference between PGT-A and PGT-M for gender selection?

Most patients seeking family balancing will use PGT-A (Aneuploidy screening). This check confirms that the embryo has 46 chromosomes and identifies the XX or XY pair. It is also helpful for identifying conditions like Down Syndrome, which increases IVF success rates by ensuring only healthy embryos are transferred.

PGT-M (Monogenic) is a more specialized test. It is used if a family knows they carry a specific genetic mutation. If that mutation is carried on the X chromosome, gender selection might be used as a medical necessity to ensure a healthy child.

How long do I need to stay in Cyprus for the procedure?

Many international patients choose to do their initial stimulation at home to minimize travel time. In this "short stay" scenario, you only arrive in Cyprus for the egg collection and stay until the embryo transfer. This usually takes about a week to 10 days.

If you prefer to be under the direct care of your Cyprus fertility specialist for the whole duration, you would arrive on the second day of your menstrual cycle. This allows the medical team to monitor your follicle growth via ultrasound every few days, ensuring the timing for the retrieval is perfect.

What are the success rates for gender selection in Cyprus?

Because PGT-A testing filters out embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, the implantation success rate is often higher than standard IVF. You are starting with an embryo that is known to be "euploid" (chromosomally normal), which reduces the risk of miscarriage and increases the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.

However, success is heavily influenced by the ovarian reserve. Younger women typically produce more eggs, leading to more embryos to choose from. If a couple only produces one or two embryos and neither is the desired gender, they may need to undergo a second cycle to achieve their goal.

Does the process of embryo biopsy hurt the embryo?

Modern reproductive technology allows embryologists to take cells from the outer layer (the trophectoderm), which eventually forms the placenta, rather than the inner cell mass which becomes the baby. This significantly minimizes any risk to the embryo development.

In Cyprus, clinics use advanced laser assisted hatching to safely remove these cells. This precision ensures that the genetic testing can be done without compromising the viability of your future child.

What happens if none of the embryos are the desired gender?

This is a common concern for family balancing patients. Statistically, there is a 50/50 split between male and female embryos, but biology doesn't always follow the rules. Sometimes a cycle might yield only boys or only girls.

If this happens, the fertility clinic will discuss your options. Some parents decide that a healthy child of either gender is a blessing and proceed with the transfer. Others choose to undergo another egg retrieval to increase their pool of embryos and their chances of finding the target gender.

Are there any age limits for gender selection in Cyprus?

As women age, the number of chromosomally normal embryos decreases. For women over 40, the chance of finding a healthy embryo of the specific sex is lower. In these cases, specialists might recommend tandem cycles or the use of an egg donor to ensure a successful outcome.

Each case is evaluated individually. The reproductive health of the mother is the primary concern, and doctors will perform an AMH test to check the ovarian reserve before recommending the best course of action for gender selection.