Mild IVF strategy is safe, effective and cost-efficient

Mild strategy of low-dose stimulation, a GnRH antagonist and elective single embryo transfer is just as effective as a conventional protocol in terms of live birth rate. A recent well conducted randomised study (Heijnen et al., Lancet 2007) demonstrated that the cumulative live birth rate over a 12-month period was 43.4% for the mild strategy and 44.7% for the conventional strategy. During the same fixed treatment period the multiple pregnancy rates were 0.5% following mild strategy and 13.1% with conventional strategy. With regard to the cost of treatment, mild strategy was € 2500 cheaper than conventional IVF (in-vitro fertilisation).