PollenTree

What Is IVM?

 IVM (in vitro maturation) is an alternative to IVF which does not require women to use fertility drugs. Instead eggs are collected from a woman's ovaries while they are still immature. The eggs are then matured in a laboratory for up to 48 hours. They are then injected with a single sperm (the process is known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection - ICSI)). The fertilized eggs are then placed back in the woman's womb.

The procedure is growing in popularity because there is no need to take fertility drugs. There is thought to be a link (as yet unproven) between repeated courses of gonadotropin injections and ovarian cancer.

The procedure is less expensive than IVF as it is the cost of fertility drugs which usually adds to the expense of IVF. Fewer drugs are needed for IVM and the woman does not need to actually take the drugs.  It has a shorter treatment period and there is no need for multiple monitoring visits in the same way that is needed with IVF. The procedure is still relatively new but so far is thought to be safe.

It is of particular benefit to women with polycystic ovaries as they are at greater risk when taking fertility drugs of developing severe ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome which can be fatal. It is also useful for women who are fertile with normal cycles (and so do not need fertility drugs) but need fertility treatment because their partners have impaired sperm.