Modified natural cycle IVF and mild IVF: a 10 year Swedish experience.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Background:

• Conventional IVF involves high medication costs and risks of complications.
• Mild stimulation protocols aim to reduce these burdens.
• Modified natural cycle IVF (mnc-IVF) and mild IVF (m-IVF) represent less aggressive approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness and outcomes of mnc-IVF and m-IVF with conventional IVF.
• To evaluate pregnancy rates, cancellation rates, and medication costs.
• To assess outcomes in patients aged 38 years and older.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of IVF cycles between 1996 and 2007.
• Comparison of mnc-IVF (129 cycles), m-IVF (250 cycles), and conventional IVF (250 cycles).
• Analysis of ongoing pregnancy rates per embryo transfer and medication costs.

Main Results:

• Ongoing pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were 26.7% for mnc-IVF and 27.2% for m-IVF, versus 34.3% for conventional IVF.
• Cancellation rates were higher for mnc-IVF (53.5%) and m-IVF (39.6%) compared to conventional IVF (13.7%).
• For patients >= 38 years, ongoing pregnancy rates were 17.5% for m-IVF and 0% for mnc-IVF, versus 27.0% for conventional IVF. Medication costs were 96.3-97.5% lower for m-IVF/mnc-IVF.

Conclusions:

• Milder IVF protocols demonstrate acceptable pregnancy rates per embryo transfer with substantially lower medication costs and reduced complication risks.
• These approaches may offer a more psychologically favorable alternative for patients.
• Effectiveness in older patients (>=38 years) requires further investigation, particularly for mnc-IVF.