What if I'm allergic to doxycycline?
Tell your clinic immediately. Alternatives exist (fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, macrolides). There is almost always a suitable antibiotic.
IVF & Treatment Basics
Many IVF clinics prescribe antibiotics to one or both partners around egg retrieval — standard infection prevention, not paranoia. Here's why, which are used, and the side effects to watch for.
Egg retrieval involves a needle passing through the vagina and into the ovary. Despite sterile technique, there's a small risk (~1–2%) of infection. Antibiotics reduce this risk to near-zero. Also, infected semen can damage sperm quality and reduce fertilisation rates. Prophylactic antibiotics (preventive, not treating existing infection) may be recommended to the male partner.
Standard protocols use:
These are broad-spectrum, meaning they cover many bacteria. They're well-tolerated and serious side effects are rare.
If you become pregnant during the antibiotic course (rare), doxycycline use in early pregnancy is low-risk but tell your obstetrician. Safer alternatives exist if pregnancy is confirmed mid-course.
Q: What if I'm allergic to doxycycline?
A: Tell your clinic immediately. Alternatives exist (fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, macrolides). There is almost always a suitable antibiotic.
Q: Do antibiotics reduce IVF success rates?
A: No. Antibiotics don't harm egg quality, sperm quality, or embryo development. They reduce infection risk only. Sometimes, a coincidental infection such as a urinary tract infection or respiratory infection may also need treatment with antibiotics. These can usually be safely taken without any effect on success rates or pregnancy outcomes.
Tell your clinic immediately. Alternatives exist (fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, macrolides). There is almost always a suitable antibiotic.
No. Antibiotics don't harm egg quality, sperm quality, or embryo development. They reduce infection risk only. Sometimes, a coincidental infection such as a urinary tract infection or respiratory infection may also need treatment with antibiotics. These can usually be safely taken without any effect on success rates or pregnancy outcomes.