Mild and minimal stimulation IVF
A gentler IVF approach using lower medication doses. Who it suits, how a cycle works, and the tradeoffs to weigh before choosing it.
Minimal stimulation IVF uses lower doses of fertility medication than a conventional cycle. It isn’t right for everyone, but for select patients it can be a helpful option.
Why a gentler approach
Using less medication has several possible benefits:
- Lower medication costs
- Less discomfort during treatment
- Avoiding the possible negative effects of high medication doses on egg quality
- Lower estrogen levels, which appear to support a healthier uterine lining for embryo implantation
Minimal stimulation yields fewer eggs than conventional stimulation. There is some evidence, though, that the number of healthy embryos with normal chromosomes may be similar with both approaches.
Who it’s for
Minimal stimulation IVF is suited to select women with a low response to ovarian stimulation, meaning they produce one or two eggs. It isn’t a protocol for everyone going through IVF, because overall it leads to lower pregnancy rates than conventional stimulation.
How a cycle works
- Stimulation begins with an oral medication such as Clomid or letrozole, sometimes supplemented with low doses of injectable medication.
- In the last days of stimulation, an antagonist is added to prevent early ovulation.
- Ovulation is triggered with a GnRH agonist or hCG.
- Egg retrieval can be done under local anesthesia.
Weighing the tradeoffs
The pregnancy rate after minimal stimulation is lower than after conventional stimulation, which is why we recommend it only when it fits your situation. Dr. Elassar will review your ovarian reserve and any prior cycles with you to decide whether a gentler protocol makes sense. If you’ve had cycles that didn’t work, you may also find after unsuccessful fertility treatment helpful.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk with your doctor about yours.
