Requests for Mild or Natural Cycle IVF Treatment
The goal of ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is to recruit multiple oocytes for fertilization. The ovarian stimulation process can be a stressful experience for the patient with multiple office visits, blood draws, and ultrasounds in addition to the high cost of medications. High doses of gonadotropins given for a prolonged time are associated not only with lower clinical pregnancy rates and live births, but also with a higher risk of spontaneous miscarriage. Mild or minimal ovarian stimulation protocols attempt to reduce costs, improve patient compliance, and enhance endometrial receptivity, corpus luteum function, and oocyte and embryo quality. Mild stimulation strategies are an acceptable option for many infertile couples interested in lower costs, risks, and a more patient friendly approach. Physicians should counsel patients that the aim of IVF is to have a healthy live birth, and not necessarily to obtain as many oocytes and embryos as possible. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing.
