Studies showed that implementation rate of natural (unstimulated) IVF cycles (without injection of hormones) may result in similar or even improved rates of implementation as with the assisted hormone treatment. This treatment has advantages due to the side effects observed by taking hormones, the eggs may be retrieved without anesthesia, cycles can be repeated monthly and the cost is much lower. This type of natural cycles can be suitable for many women especially low responders and they may consult their physicians regarding this option.


...

Wednesday January 31 12:02 PM ET 2001

IVF Almost As Successful Without Ovary Stimulation

LONDON (Reuters Health) – The chances that in vitro fertilization will be successful can be almost as good if doctors rely on the woman's natural menstrual cycle instead of routinely using drugs to stimulate the ovaries into producing extra eggs, according to a study by researchers in London.

They said that in 60% to 70% of cases, a series of treatment cycles without using ovarian stimulation would be safer, less stressful and mean fewer multiple births. It would also dramatically cut costs, bringing IVF within the reach of more childless couples.

The study by Dr. Geeta Nargund and colleagues, published in the journal Human Reproduction, followed 181 treatments in 52 women at the Assisted Conception Unit at King's College Hospital , London .

All the women had treatment based around their natural menstrual cycles and were found to have almost the same chance of having a baby after an average of three to four cycles of treatment as women undergoing conventional drug-stimulated treatment--32% versus 34%.

Analysis of costs of the two methods showed that, in the , natural treatment cycles could be offered at 23% of the costs of stimulated cycles, offering savings of between 4,769 and 9,587 pounds sterling per pregnancy.

Women most suited to the method were those with reasonably regular menstrual cycles who ovulated normally but who had problems with their fallopian tubes, or those couples where the reason for the infertility was inexplicable. The natural cycle would not be suitable for women who don't ovulate or who have very erratic menstrual cycles.

Nargund, who now directs the fertility centre at St. George's Hospital, London, said in a news release: