MINIMAL AND LOW DOSE STIMULATION ( LOW DOSE IVF)

This breakthrough innovation is based on the natural cycle and reduces the discomfort and cost of repeated painful injections and blood tests common in traditional IVF.

Over the past several years, there’s been a continued and increasing interest in the use of low-dose stimulation protocols for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Low dose stimulation can either be accomplished through the use of clomiphene citrate (clomid) or low doses (one to three ampules daily) of injectible preparations such as gonal-f or follistin.

Patients who are low responders – those who do not make more than 3 follicles - or patients who are over the age of 43 – may experience improved outcome by using a low dose stimulation protocol rather than the more expensive high dose protocols which may yield only several follicles despite the high daily doses of injected medications.

In my opinion, low dose stimulation can be offered to any patient - and has the following inherent advantages:

• Greater affordability
• Less monitoring visits are required
• Reduced chance of twins or triplets
• Reduced chances of hyperstimulation
• Reduced likelihood of developing cysts following stimulation

We are presently evaluation a prospective study comparing low dose stimulation to moderate dose stimulation. The data from this study, once available, will be a useful guide.