Donor side effects experienced under minimal controlled ovarian stimulation with in vitro maturation vs. conventional controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization treatment

Objective: To evaluate oocyte retrieval experiences and side effects under minimally controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) treatment for in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes compared with conventional COS treatment. Design: A retrospective survey study. Setting: Clinical in vitro fertilization treatment center. Patient(s): Data were collected from subjects undergoing minimal COS treatment (n = 110; 600–800 IU follicle-stimulating hormone) for IVM of oocytes and conventional COS treatment for egg donation (n = 48; 1,800–2,600 IU follicle-stimulating hormone) from April 2022 to November 2023. Intervention(s): Minimal and conventional COS treatments. Main Outcome Measure(s): The most common side effects experienced during ovarian stimulation and after oocyte pick-up, satisfaction level, and the likelihood of recommending or repeating minimal or conventional COS. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U test and χ² tests, with a significance level. Result(s): During minimal COS treatment, most subjects did not experience breast swelling (86%), pelvic or abdominal pain (76%), nausea or vomiting (96%), and bleeding (96%). After oocyte pick-up, the majority (75%) reported no pelvic or abdominal pain. The most common side effect was abdominal swelling (52%). Compared with conventional COS cycles, minimal COS subjects reported significantly less postretrieval pain, with 33% experiencing no pain (vs. 6%) and with a reduced severe level of pain (5% vs. 19%), leading to fewer subjects requiring pain medication (25% vs. 54%). Additionally, 85% of women were very satisfied with minimal stimulation treatment and would recommend or repeat the treatment. Conclusion(s): Reducing the hormonal dose for ovarian stimulation has a beneficial effect on subjects, suggesting the combination of minimal COS treatment with IVM techniques is a well-tolerated alternative for women who cannot or do not wish to undergo conventionally controlled ovarian hyperstimulation treatment.