NC-IVF

Natural Cycle IVF, IVF in the natural cycle

The very IVF first treatments, including those from which the world's first baby was born, Louise Brown, It was found that the fertilization of the testicles in natural cycles was the most common method. The disadvantage of this method was that only one egg cell was always available; however, this problem was overcome by introducing the Hormonal stimulation. The problem of the relatively frequent premature ovulation could be solved by using GnRH analogs, later also -antagonists.

However, it is only after several decades that one again considers whether the implementation of the IVF (and of course ICSI) in the natural cycle in parallel with today's conventional method IVF, but it does have some advantages.

NC IVF (Natural Cycle IVF) is an extremely gentle procedure in which hardly any medicinal influences are involved.

During treatment in the unstimulated cycle there is no risk of hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); multiple pregnancy occurs only very rarely; it is emotionally and physically much less demanding and is significantly cheaper.

However, it should not be hidden that it is less effective and promising. The pregnancy rate per cycle is lower than with conventional methods IVF. This is due, in part, to the fact that with 10-15%, due to premature ovulation, not even a single egg can be fertilized. Another reason is that only one egg can be fertilized at IVF a time. However, only 80% of the eggs can be fertilized with conventional methods, so it is of course expected that the success rate will be lower.

In recent years, there has been an increase in scientific studies showing that the ability of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to support an embryo appears to be IVF lower in women with conventional contraception than under normal conditions. This phenomenon is attributed to the stimulation-induced extremely high estrogen levels.

However, the enormous advantage is the almost complete absence of risks. Only the small, uncomplicated egg retrieval has at least a theoretical risk. The overall cycle is perceived as being significantly less stressful.

Neither GnRH antagonists nor agonists are required. The problem of premature ovulation is solved by the administration of certain medications (in tablet or suppository form). Only the slightly more frequent ultrasound and hormone tests do require some effort on the part of the patient and the practice.

Ovarian stimulation can be performed without anesthesia (on request with local anesthesia). This allows the woman to go back to work on the same day. Since the ovaries are not enlarged by hormonal stimulation, this treatment can be performed without problems on several consecutive cycles. Not to be forgotten is also that such cycles are considerably cheaper than stimulated ones; however, the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (only one embryo) is 20% per embryo transfer, naturally lower than with the „conventional” method.„conventional IVF„This is how 2 to 3 embryos are transferred. However, you will see how little such a cycle stresses you mentally and physically.

Which women are suitable for performing the IVF / procedure ICSI during the natural cycle?

• Women who do not want to undergo hormone treatment
• Women who have had bad experiences with hormonal stimulation
• Women at high risk of overstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
• the so-called „low-responders“, i.e. women who do not respond well to hormonal stimulation
• Older women, who in any case, despite hormonal stimulation often produce only 1-3 eggs
• „Implantation failures,“ that is, women who, IVF despite having always had good embryos during conventional IVF, never achieved implantation.