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Infertility Treatments

Minimal Stimulation IVF (Mini IVF) Perth

Reduced intervention IVF – lower medications, lower costs, quicker recovery.  

What is Mini IVF? 

Mini-IVF is an Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) procedure, that uses lower doses of stimulation, therefore collecting less eggs than conventional IVF.  

Why is Mini IVF used? 

While conventional IVF aims to produce many eggs for retrieval, Mini IVF uses a lower dose of hormone injections with the intent of retrieving no more than 3 to 6 eggs. As only a small number of eggs will be collected, the TVOA (Transvaginal Oocyte Aspiration) can be performed using a local anaesthetic rather than being admitted to hospital for general anaesthesia. This results in a much quicker recovery and enables the option of doing multiple cycles back to back.  

With this approach, the cost per cycle is lower and the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), one of the main complications to IVF with standard stimulation protocols, is reduced.  

Evidence from clinical trials have demonstrated improved chance of success using this approach in women with a poor ovarian reserve.  

What are the benefits of Mini IVF? 

The lower level of hormone intervention associated with a Mini IVF cycle brings with it a number of benefits:  

  • Fewer blood tests and ultrasounds, meaning less frequent visits to the clinic.  
  • The TVOA can be conducted under a local anaesthetic, meaning you can avoid a hospital admission and general anaesthetic.  
  • Fewer side effects and improved recovery time.  
  • Reduced cost.  
  • Proven success in patients with diminished ovarian reserve.  

Combined, these benefits mean that patients are able to do more cycles than conventional IVF in a shorter space of time.  

What is the Mini IVF process? 

A Mini IVF cycle follows the same basic treatment steps as conventional IVF, as outlined below:  

Step 1: Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) 

Low doses of hormone stimulation medication are self-administered from day 2 of your cycle for approximately one week, with your response being monitored by blood tests and ultrasound.  Unlike conventional IVF or ICSI cycles, the aim in a Mini IVF cycle is to encourage the growth and development of a few follicles.  

Step 2: Trans-Vaginal Oocyte Aspiration (TVOA) 

When your follicles approach maturity and your oestrogen level reaches its peak, you will be instructed to administer your trigger medication, which is a time-sensitive medication that determines the time of your TVOA approximately 36 hours later.  It is a quick procedure that can take place either in an operating theatre under a general anaesthetic or under a local anaesthetic in our treatment room.  

Step 3: Insemination 

Once the eggs have been collected from your ovaries and the semen sample has been prepared, the eggs and sperm are brought together in the laboratory – either by IVF or ICSI.    

Step 4: Embryo culture 

The morning following insemination, the scientists in the laboratory (Embryologists) will assess your eggs for fertilisation.  Keeping you advised along the way, your embryos will then be grown, or cultured, in the laboratory.

As a standard and at no extra cost, Fertility North uses the Embryoscope, a specialised incubator with time lapse technology. It allows your embryos to be cultured in optimised conditions without any disturbance whilst our embryologists evaluate their growth and determine their potential.

Step 5: Embryo Transfer (ET)  

During your embryo transfer, the doctor will very gently insert a speculum into your vagina (as your GP would for a pap smear), and a fine, soft tube is then carefully passed through the cervix allowing the embryo to be placed delicately into your uterus.  

Step 6: Monitoring and support 

In the fortnight after your embryo transfer, your hormone levels will be monitored and supported, if necessary, until the outcome of your cycle is known.  

Suitability for Mini IVF  

Mini IVF may not be suitable for all people.  Your doctor will discuss your circumstances with you to determine the best treatment options for you. 

Who is Mini IVF suitable for? 

Mini IVF is an ideal treatment option for patients who are likely to experience (or have experienced) a poor response to higher levels of hormonal stimulation used in conventional IVF .  

It may also be considered favourable to patients outside this criteria for the following reasons:  

  • As a low cost alternative to conventional IVF
  • Patients at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
  • Patients who, for religious, moral or personal reasons, want to limit the number of embryos created and do not wish to have embryo or egg cryopreservation. Mini IVF can be a practical option for these patients as a small number of oocytes are collected and fewer embryos are created

Who is Mini IVF not suitable for? 

Not all patients are appropriate candidates for Mini IVF and your fertility specialist will discuss your specific situation with you.  Circumstances do occur, most commonly related to variations in pelvic anatomy, which make transvaginal oocyte aspiration (TVOA) more difficult. In those situations, patients are not suitable for TVOA under local anaesthetic and would need to be admitted to hospital for the procedure.  

Patients with normal ovarian reserve will have a better chance of success with conventional IVF treatment protocols.  

How can we help you? 

Fertility North have pioneered the use of Mini IVF in Perth and are proud of the many success stories as a result of this treatment.  

If you would like to learn more about this minimally invasive treatment option and how it might work for you, please contact our friendly team.  

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