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IVF Breakthrough: Natural Ovulation Beats Hormones
6 Feb
Summary
- Natural ovulation IVF matched programmed IVF for live births.
- Natural ovulation IVF significantly lowered preeclampsia risk.
- A Chinese trial suggests less hormone use in IVF may be better.
A recent Chinese clinical trial suggests that a slightly modified in vitro fertilization (IVF) approach may yield better outcomes for both mothers and babies. Researchers found that timing the implantation of a frozen embryo to a woman's natural ovulation cycle is as effective as the standard IVF method, which uses hormone treatments to induce ovulation.
This natural ovulation regimen, while achieving comparable live birth rates to programmed cycles, demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of pre-eclampsia. The trial, involving nearly 4,400 women across 24 fertility centers, reported similar birth weights and neonatal complication risks between the two groups, though a notable reduction in pre-eclampsia was observed in the natural ovulation group.
Experts anticipate that if U.S. trials confirm these findings, natural ovulation may become the default IVF procedure. While programmed cycles offer convenience in scheduling, the natural approach shows promise for reducing pregnancy complications, suggesting a potential shift in IVF practices worldwide.
