Description

Minimal Stimulation IVF (Mini IVF) Minimal Stimulation IVF (Mini IVF) is a fertility treatment that uses lower doses of medication compared to conventional IVF. It aims to retrieve fewer but higher-quality eggs while reducing costs, side effects, and the risk of complications like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). How is Mini IVF Different from Conventional IVF? Feature Mini IVF Conventional IVF Medication Dose Low-dose oral + mild injectables High-dose injectables Egg Quantity 3–7 eggs per cycle 10–20 eggs per cycle Risk of OHSS Very low Higher, especially in PCOS cases Cost Lower (~30–50% less than standard IVF) Higher due to more medications & monitoring Success Rate Slightly lower (~15–25% per cycle) Higher (~40–60% per cycle) Who is Mini IVF Suitable For? ✅ Women with low ovarian reserve (AMH <1.0, high FSH) ✅ Women who want to avoid high-dose hormones ✅ Women with PCOS (to reduce OHSS risk) ✅ Patients undergoing fertility preservation (egg freezing) ✅ Couples looking for a lower-cost IVF option Mini IVF Treatment Protocol 1️⃣ Ovarian Stimulation (Day 2-3 of Cycle) Oral medications (Letrozole or Clomid) to stimulate mild follicle growth. Low-dose FSH injections (Gonal-F, Menopur) to support egg development. 2️⃣ Monitoring (Days 7-12) Ultrasound scans to track follicle growth. Estrogen & LH blood tests to assess response. 3️⃣ Trigger Shot (When Follicles Reach 18–20mm) hCG (Ovidrel, Pregnyl) or Lupron trigger to induce final egg maturation. 4️⃣ Egg Retrieval (34–36 Hours Later) A mild sedation procedure collects eggs from the ovaries. Usually retrieves 3–7 eggs instead of 10+ in conventional IVF. 5️⃣ Fertilization (ICSI or Standard IVF) Eggs are fertilized with sperm in the lab. Resulting embryos are cultured for 3–5 days. 6️⃣ Embryo Transfer or Freezing A single embryo transfer (SET) is done to reduce multiple pregnancy risk. Extra embryos may be frozen for future cycles. Benefits of Mini IVF ✔ Lower medication cost (~30–50% less than traditional IVF) ✔ Less stress on the body (fewer hormone-related side effects) ✔ Lower risk of OHSS (ideal for PCOS patients) ✔ Higher egg quality over quantity ✔ Can be repeated more often due to affordability Challenges & Considerations ❌ Lower success rates per cycle (~15–25% per cycle vs. ~40–60% for conventional IVF) ❌ Fewer eggs retrieved (may not be ideal for poor responders) ❌ Not suitable for severe male infertility (ICSI may still be needed) ❌ May require multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy Success Rates of Mini IVF Women <35 years: ~25–35% per cycle Women 35–40 years: ~15–25% per cycle Women >40 years: ~5–15% per cycle Success can improve with embryo freezing (FET cycles) and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Would you like guidance on whether Mini IVF is right for your situation? 😊