Minimal stimulation IVF

In IVF treatment, gonadotropin injections are used to stimulate the ovaries to increase the number of available eggs. Conventional IVF protocols are expensive, inconvenient and with side effects.

Minimal Stimulation IVF has regained favor due to the realization that it is associated with fewer side effects, incurs a lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and has a lower cost and good success rates

  • What is Minimal Stimulation IVF?

Minimal stimulation is a soft stimulation protocol with lesser amount of fertility drugs. When combined with Embryo banking using the Vitrification Technology, it provides a very efficient and cost effective alternative to conventional IVF. It is designed to retrieve only a few eggs in each ovarian stimulation cycle. Stimulation in this manner has been associated with better quality eggs and hence better quality embryos. In other words, it is simpler treatment schedule with lower doses of drugs, fewer risks (from multiple pregnancy and Over-stimulation) and consequently reduced cost.

  • What does the Minimal Stimulation IVF procedure involved?

Instead of the high doses of fertility injections used in conventional IVF cycles, Clomiphene Citrate tablets, a low dose of fertility injections (Gonadotropins) and GnRH Antagonist injections are used in the softer IVF protocol. Egg retrieval is planned 34-36 hours after the hCG trigger. All retrieved eggs are fertilized with the male partner’s sperm and the resulting embryos are frozen on day 2/3. A Frozen Embryo Transfer is planned in a remote cycle.

  • Is Minimal stimulation protocol for me?

Minimal stimulation protocol can be offered to almost everyone requiring IVF. The groups which mostly benefit from minimal stimulation IVF are

  • Poor Responders,

  • Older Patients (above age 40),

  • women with multiple previous conventional IVF Failures

  • Hyper-responders who are at a risk of developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome

Talk to your fertility specialist regarding minimal stimulation IVF and whether it is really a treatment option for you