Protocolo de ciclo natural para tratamientos de FIV: resultados clínicos

Introduction

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles that take advantage of the natural cycle (NC) of the patient have become an alternative to the protocols of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), and are a cheaper and easier option. Our objective is to analyse the clinical and laboratory results obtained in our centre on 287 cycles performed in pure natural cycles.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out on 287 natural cycles performed in our centre between September 2013 and May 2016.

Results

A total of 287 cycles were performed on 108 patients with a mean age of 40.7 years, a mean FSH of 12.2 mU/mL, and 1.5 previous cycles of unsuccessfully performed IVF. Egg retrieval (ER) was achieved in 194 cycles (67.6%), with a mean of 1.1 oocytes by (ER), and a fertilisation rate of 69.6%. Embryo transfer was achieved in 70 of the 287 cycles (24.4%) with an implantation rate of 23.7%. Analysed globally, the pregnancy rate was 6.97% per cycle started, 10.3% per ER, 28.6% per transfer, and 18.5% per patient.

Discussion

A high percentage of IVF cycles performed in natural cycle are cancelled without reaching embryo transfer. However, analysing the results obtained by ER and transfer, they are an alternative, simple, economical, and slightly aggressive, with acceptable results if we consider their frequent indication in a population of poor prognosis, where more aggressive options do not improve the expectations.