What is the difference between mild and conventional IVF?

Conventional IVF stimulation methods are recommended to ensure maximal success; milder stimulation protocols may be suitable for certain patients looking to reduce the amount of medication required. Additionally, natural cycle IVF involves not using any stimulation drugs.

The process of mild IVF and IVF

Both treatments begin with a fertility consultation and assessment to determine the appropriate course of action. In mild IVF, you will take medication for approximately two weeks to encourage the growth of follicles that contain eggs. The treatment involves several steps:  

• Monitoring process – Follicle tracking scans are performed whilst taking stimulation drugs. During this scan, a specialist will assess the development of your follicles, which are small fluid-filled sacs where eggs grow. This assessment helps determine the timing for egg collection.

• Egg retrieval - Once the follicles reach the correct size, an injection is administered to mature the eggs for collection. A needle is then gently guided through the vaginal wall to retrieve the eggs one by one. You will be sedated during this process to ensure you feel no discomfort.

• Insemination - Healthy eggs are combined with sperm in the laboratory, allowing them to naturally reach and penetrate the egg. If necessary, a method called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used, which involves injecting a single healthy sperm directly into an egg, especially in cases of low sperm count or quality.

•  Embryo transfer - The fertilised eggs are monitored for 5-6 days as they develop into mature embryos. An EmbryoScope™ is used to help identify the most suitable embryos for transfer. Any additional healthy embryos can be frozen for future use.

Who might consider mild IVF or natural IVF?

Milder IVF protocols may be considered in specific circumstances to reduce risk or where there are ethical objections to creating numerous embryos that may not be used. In addition, people who have not responded well to higher doses of stimulation may benefit.

Deciding on your medication dosage depends on several factors, including your medical history, ovarian reserve, and egg quality. 

It is important to discuss the implications of using milder stimulation protocols with your fertility specialist to ensure the best outcome of your treatment.

In general, Natural IVF is not recommended for the vast majority of patients as it is associated with significantly lower success rates. In exceptional circumstances, it could be considered, but you should discuss this in detail with your fertility specialist.

Reviewed by Ishola Agbaje, Medical Director at TFP Belfast Fertility.