IVM (In Vitro Maturation) is a fertility treatment alternative where immature eggs are collected with minimal or no hormone stimulation, then matured in a laboratory before fertilization and transfer.
Key Benefits
The primary advantage targets women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who experience severe sensitivity to ovarian stimulation drugs. These patients face risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially serious complication. The risk of OHSS disappears when in vitro fertilization is started without stimulating the ovaries with drugs.
Success Rate Limitations
Despite its safety advantages, IVM has significant drawbacks. The procedure shows notably lower pregnancy rates compared to traditional drug-stimulated IVF. Pregnancy rates with IVM are lower than in vitro fertilization with drugs.
Clinical Evidence
There is no scientific evidence for the use of IVM in women with previous failed IVF or those with poor ovarian response to medications. Medical professionals caution against presenting IVM as a universal solution when current evidence supports its use only in very limited patient populations.
The technique may gain broader acceptance as culture media technologies advance.