Prospective patient and physician preferences for stimulation or no stimulation in IVF

The aim is to explore the preferences of female patients and physicians for IVF in three natural cycles compared to one stimulated cycle and to investigate which factors predict these preferences.

A questionnaire about IVF preference was administered initially to 105 patients between 36 and 42 years, who were on the waiting list for their first or second IVF attempt. In addition a questionnaire was sent to 56 physicians of Dutch IVF centres. The participants were asked for their preferences at different success rates based on treatment trade-off scenarios. Finally, information on demographic, psychological and other predictors for treatment choice were collected.

Complete data were obtained in 69 female patients (67%) and 27 physicians (49%). At a success rate for a life birth of 17% for both treatments, IVF in three natural cycles is preferred by 78% of the patients and physicians. Half of the patients and physicians still preferred natural cycle treatment at a success rate of 13%. Anxiety for hormone injections was the only significant predictor for patients' preferences.

There seems to be a latent demand for IVF in the natural cycle related to anxiety for hormone injections.