Mini IVF Specialist

What is mini IVF?

Mini IVF, also called minimal stimulation IVF, is a different approach to fertility treatments. With traditional and aggressive IVF protocols, you take high-dose medications, usually including birth control pills and injected ovary-stimulating drugs, at specific times to boost your chances of making many eggs. 

With Mini IVF, you use considerably less medication to stimulate your ovaries. You'll still produce extra eggs, though not as many as with other forms of IVF. However, with mini IVF, you can get higher-quality eggs that are likely to be good candidates for viable embryos.

Mini IVF can allow you to have a baby with far fewer medications, less risk of medication side effects, less treatment time, and more convenience. Many women find that it's an excellent alternative to standard IVF or more aggressive IVF protocols. 

When might I need mini IVF?

Mini IVF can be a good option if you have a low ovarian reserve (fewer quality eggs than you need). 

Some women with low ovarian reserve don't improve dramatically with ovary-stimulating medications, so if that's the case for you, mini IVF could give you essentially the same results in terms of egg quantity with potentially better quality.

If you have a condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you have an increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during standard IVF or aggressive IVF protocols. But, with minimal stimulation IVF, you have a much lower chance of this complication. 

Is mini IVF cheaper than standard IVF?

The lower cost of mini IVF as compared to traditional IVF is one of its main advantages. Overall, mini IVF is far less expensive than standard IVF per cycle because you're using much less medication and require less monitoring. 

You're also generally producing fewer eggs, which means fewer embryos and lower cryopreservation (egg freezing) costs over time. Although, your reduced chance of conceiving with mini IVF compared to alternate methods may mean that you will need more cycles overall, which can even out the cost over time.

At Fertility and Lifespan Medical Institute, Steven Brody always strives to give you the most personalized infertility care. He can help you decide whether mini IVF is your best chance at conception while preserving your health during a consultation in the San Diego office. Call or click on the online scheduling tool.