How does the timing of IVF medications differ in natural cycle protocols compared to traditional stimulation cycles and what impact does this have on treatment outcomes?
Gaurav ChauhanContributor
How does the timing of administering IVF medications vary for natural cycle IVF?
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In natural cycle IVF, drugs like hCG are used near ovulation, while traditional cycles use daily FSH and LH early on to stimulate multiple follicles, impacting the number of eggs retrieved.
In natural cycle IVF, medications are minimal and timed to the woman’s natural cycle, usually aiming at collecting the single egg that naturally matures. Traditional stimulated cycles use medications to induce the development of multiple eggs, typically starting on day 2-3 of the cycle. While natural cycle IVF has fewer side effects and is less costly, its success rates are generally lower compared to stimulated cycles due to the fewer eggs retrieved.