When it comes to fertility treatments, there are various options available, and one of the prominent choices is between traditional IVF and natural cycle IVF. Let’s break down why we lean toward traditional IVF at our clinic.
What is Natural Cycle IVF?
Natural cycle IVF focuses on retrieving the single egg that a woman naturally produces each month. This method minimizes the use of fertility drugs, which are typically used in traditional IVF to stimulate the ovaries for multiple eggs. However, even natural cycle IVF requires some medications to trigger ovulation and prevent premature ovulation, alongside close monitoring like blood tests and ultrasounds.
Is Natural Cycle IVF Truly More Natural?
While it sounds appealing, natural cycle IVF isn’t as straightforward as it seems. It still involves medication, monitoring, and an egg retrieval procedure that necessitates anesthesia, which carries its own risks and may require recovery time.
Is it More Affordable?
Although natural cycle IVF might seem cheaper initially, the success rates are concerning. Many cycles may need to be repeated, as there’s over a 50% chance that no embryo will be available for transfer. This cycle cancellation can lead to emotional and financial strain as patients find themselves trying month after month without results.
Comparing Options for Older Women
For women aged 42 and above, the prospects of natural cycle IVF are bleak. Research indicates no live births in this age group and only a 2.4% success rate for those aged 41-42. In contrast, younger patients see success rates similar to intrauterine insemination (IUI), but without the surgical aspects.
Key Considerations When Choosing Between the Two
To make an informed decision, consider these factors:
- Delivery rates by age and cancellation risks.
- The number of cycles required and their cumulative costs.
- The importance of having frozen embryos for future pregnancies.
Why We Recommend Traditional IVF
Traditional IVF generally offers higher success rates compared to natural cycle IVF. On average, one stimulated IVF cycle has a better chance of achieving pregnancy than multiple natural cycles. Additionally, our studies show that retrieving more eggs increases live birth rates significantly.
Moreover, traditional IVF allows for freezing surplus embryos, providing options for future pregnancies, and it facilitates genetic testing of embryos. This means you can identify genetically healthy embryos, which can enhance your chances of success, reduce the risk of miscarriage, and speed up the time to pregnancy. Given that many natural IVF cycles don’t yield any embryos, the time to find a viable one could stretch into months or years.
If you’re interested in learning more about at-home insemination, check out our other blog post here. For those looking to boost fertility, Make A Mom is a great resource. Additionally, the Women’s Health website offers excellent information on pregnancy and infertility support.
Summary
In summary, while natural cycle IVF may seem appealing for its simplicity, traditional IVF provides greater success rates, more options for future pregnancies, and the ability to perform genetic testing. For most patients, the benefits of traditional IVF far outweigh the initial cost differences.