Disadvantages of Soft-IVF®

If you were told you have an option to choose between conventional In Vitro Fertilization or Soft-IVF, you will need to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of these two treatments.

The Benefits of Soft-IVF page lists the advantages of Soft-IVF when compared with conventional IVF; this document outlines the disadvantages of Soft-IVF:

1. Lower probability of pregnancy
2. Fewer embryos available for cryopreservation
3. Increased cancelation rate due to premature ovulations
4. Should not be combined with Gender Selection

1. Lower Probability of Pregnancy

    

   For most patients, but not for all, the probability of a successful outcome will be a somewhat lower with Soft-IVF than with conventional In Vitro Fertilization. This is the result of one or more of the following three factors:

    

   • The ovaries produce fewer eggs resulting in lower number of embryos available to choose from for embryo transfer.
   • Possible negative effect of oral medications on the development of endometrial lining.
   • Possible negative effect of oral medications on the quality of developing eggs.

    

   Young, fertile patients should expect similar high probability of success with both Soft-IVF and conventional IVF. Most patients 43 and older will also have similar (low) probability of success with either treatment. Most patients between the ages of 40 and 43 will usually have a higher success rate with conventional IVF.

    

   Some "low responder" patients, regardless of their age, may have better success with Soft-IVF than conventional In Vitro Fertilization.

 

2. Fewer Embryos Available for Cryopreservation

    

   Since typically four to eight eggs will develop with Soft-IVF ovarian stimulation, and not all of them will fertilize and grow normally (common to all human embryos), it is possible not to have many extra embryos available for cryopreservation.

    

3. Increased Cancelation Rate Due to Premature Ovulations

    

   A series of shallow daily hormonal injections over a period of two to four weeks are used in conventional IVF to prevent premature ovulation. Ovarian stimulation for Soft-IVF is shorter and does not require the injections. Occasionally one or more ovarian follicles may ovulate spontaneously prior to the Soft-IVF egg retrieval procedure.

    

   It is Bay IVF Center's policy not to bill for Soft-IVF treatment if no eggs were retrieved.

    

4. Should Not Be Combined with Gender Selection

    

   Gender Selection requires creating as many embryos as possible for PGD testing. Conventional In Vitro Fertilization with its higher egg yield is the preferred treatment for Gender selection.

If you have any questions regarding Soft-IVF, please contact us by phone at 650-322-0500 or via email at care@BayIVF.com. To request an appointment, please go to the Request an Appointment page.