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Folliculogenesis--the natural way
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sheffield, Jessop Hospital for Women, United Kingdom.
Summary
Natural cycle IVF (NIVF) offers a cost-effective approach to infertility treatment by screening patients. This method identifies suitable candidates early, improving overall efficiency and reducing costs compared to stimulated IVF.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Infertility Management
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Background:
- Natural cycle IVF (NIVF) was initially developed to study intrafollicular events in unexplained infertility.
- Early application of NIVF to all assisted conception candidates yielded low delivery rates.
- Analysis revealed high failure rates linked to patient age and endocrine factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate NIVF as a preliminary screening tool for assisted conception.
- To develop a cost-effective infertility treatment strategy.
- To define the role of NIVF within assisted conception programs.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing NIVF as an initial screening cycle.
- Applying clear algorithms for infertility investigation.
- Analyzing delivery rates and cost-effectiveness.
Main Results:
- NIVF can effectively screen candidates, leading to selective inclusion and elimination.
- The cost per maternity is halved compared to stimulated IVF when considering delivery rates.
- Age and endocrine abnormalities are significant predictors of NIVF failure.
Conclusions:
- NIVF can be a highly cost-effective preliminary screening cycle.
- Integrating NIVF into assisted conception programs can significantly reduce costs.
- Biological exclusions, such as age, can further enhance NIVF's cost-effectiveness.