What is IVF Naturelle?
IVF Naturelle, also called Natural Cycle IVF, uses the natural cycle without hormonal stimulation. Follicle development is monitored with ultrasound and hormone checks. Shortly before ovulation, the matured egg is retrieved, fertilized in the laboratory, and the resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus.
Distinction: IVF Naturelle, Mini-IVF and Conventional IVF
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IVF Naturelle (Natural Cycle IVF)
With IVF Naturelle, we monitor natural follicle maturation in the cycle without hormonally stimulating the ovaries. This means the medication burden is very low and treatment can be performed in consecutive cycles.
However, since usually only one egg is available, the chance per treatment cycle is lower than with stimulated IVF. Additionally, it can happen that ovulation occurs before the planned retrieval or that no egg can be obtained.
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Mini-IVF (Mild Stimulation)
With Mini-IVF, the ovaries are stimulated with a lower hormone dose. The goal is to bring several follicles to maturation while keeping the medication burden as low as possible.
How many eggs can be retrieved depends primarily on the individual ovarian reserve and the response to stimulation. Mini-IVF can be particularly interesting when a gentler stimulation is desired or when a high hormone dose is unlikely to provide additional benefit, such as with a low ovarian reserve.
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Conventional IVF (Standard IVF)
With conventional IVF, stimulation is individually dosed so that several eggs can mature simultaneously.
This means more eggs are usually available for fertilization and the success rate per treatment cycle is generally higher than with IVF Naturelle.
If several fertilized eggs or suitable embryos develop, they can be cryopreserved for later transfers. This can create additional pregnancy opportunities from a single stimulation.
When is IVF Naturelle appropriate?
IVF Naturelle may be particularly suitable when
- hormonal stimulation is not well tolerated or should be avoided
- despite low ovarian reserve, only few follicles respond to stimulation
- there is a regular cycle with reliable follicle maturation
- an increased risk of overstimulation should be avoided
- multiple treatment cycles with minimal physical burden are planned
- desire for gentle treatment
Risks & Limitations
With IVF Naturelle, usually only one egg is available. This means the success rate per cycle is lower than with stimulated IVF procedures. Additionally, it can happen that ovulation occurs before the retrieval or that no egg can be obtained during retrieval. If multiple cycles become necessary, this can also be emotionally challenging.
Requirements for IVF Naturelle
Whether IVF Naturelle is appropriate for you depends on your individual situation. Before beginning, we therefore examine your cycle, ovarian reserve, and sperm quality carefully and determine together which approach is most suitable.
This typically includes:
- a comprehensive medical consultation and your medical history
- ultrasound to assess ovaries and follicle development
- hormone tests to evaluate cycle and ovarian reserve
- a semen analysis to determine whether fertilization should be performed with IVF or ICSI
Our Medical Assessment of IVF Naturelle
Gold standard
IVF Naturelle is a particularly gentle form of fertility treatment and can be a good option for certain patients – especially when hormonal stimulation should be avoided or when only few eggs are expected to respond to stimulation.
The advantage lies in the low medication burden and in utilizing the natural cycle. At the same time, it is important to assess success rates realistically: since usually only one egg is available, the pregnancy rate per cycle is lower than with stimulated IVF.
Therefore, we examine very carefully for whom this treatment is appropriate. Decisive factors include age, ovarian reserve, cycle pattern, and previous treatment experiences. When IVF Naturelle is well suited to the individual situation, multiple natural cycles can also be used consecutively.
It is important to us to discuss the advantages and disadvantages openly with you and to decide together which treatment form is medically and personally most suitable for you.
Process of IVF Naturelle Without Stimulation
The process of IVF Naturelle closely follows the natural cycle. The goal is to precisely monitor spontaneous ovulation and retrieve the naturally matured egg at the optimal time – with minimal medical intervention.
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Consultation & Diagnostics
Make an appointmentAt the beginning, we discuss your medical history, previous treatments, and your personal situation in detail.
Using ultrasound, hormone tests, and a semen analysis, we determine whether IVF Naturelle is a sensible treatment option for you.
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Cycle Monitoring
In the natural cycle, we monitor follicle maturation with ultrasound and hormone checks.
The timing of checks is individually determined based on your cycle length and follicle development. When the follicle has matured sufficiently, ovulation can be specifically triggered so that egg retrieval can be optimally planned.
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Retrieval – Egg Collection
Shortly before expected ovulation, the egg is retrieved via a brief vaginal retrieval procedure.
Since usually only one follicle is retrieved, the procedure is very brief and can often be performed without anesthesia. On the day of egg retrieval, we require the partner’s semen sample; for treatment with donor sperm, the corresponding sample is thawed in the laboratory.
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Fertilization in the Laboratory
The retrieved egg is then fertilized in our IVF laboratory.
Depending on the initial situation, fertilization is performed as conventional IVF or via ICSI. We discuss with you which procedure is appropriate before beginning treatment.
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Embryo Transfer
If fertilization occurs and the embryo develops normally, it is transferred to the uterus after several days.
We determine the optimal timing of transfer individually based on embryo development. Embryo transfer is performed under ultrasound guidance and is generally minimally painful.
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Time After Transfer & Pregnancy Test
After embryo transfer, the waiting period until the pregnancy test begins.
Depending on the treatment, we support the second half of the cycle with progesterone. Approximately two weeks after egg retrieval or at the agreed time, we determine the pregnancy level.
Results at a Glance: What Chances Does IVF Naturelle Offer?
The success rates of IVF Naturelle depend primarily on age, ovarian reserve, cycle pattern, and sperm quality. Since usually only one egg is available per cycle, the pregnancy rate per treatment is generally lower than with stimulated IVF procedures.
For younger patients with regular cycles, IVF Naturelle can nevertheless be a sensible option. With increasing age, the probability that a viable embryo develops from a single egg decreases, so success prospects per cycle become lower.
Therefore, we discuss openly and realistically with you how well IVF Naturelle suits your individual situation and what chances can be expected compared to other treatment forms.
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Experience With Different IVF Concepts
Through our experience with IVF Naturelle, mild stimulation, and conventional IVF, we can assess well which approach suits your individual situation.
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Individual Medical Support
A dedicated physician accompanies you through treatment and adapts the approach to your cycle and situation.
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Precise Cycle Monitoring
Ultrasound and hormone checks help us plan the right timing for trigger and egg retrieval precisely.
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Our Own IVF Laboratory Facilities
Egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo culture are performed in close coordination in our own IVF laboratory.
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Central Location and Flexible Appointments
Early and brief monitoring appointments make treatment easier to integrate into daily life.
What Our Patients Say
Costs of IVF Naturelle for Fertility Treatment
Since hormonal stimulation is not used with IVF Naturelle, medication costs are generally significantly lower. Since usually only one follicle is retrieved, egg collection can also often be performed without anesthesia.
To the cost overviewThe costs of IVF treatment include medical care, egg retrieval, fertilization in the laboratory, and embryo transfer. Additional costs arise from any necessary medications and anesthesia. Depending on the individual situation, additional services such as cryopreservation may be required.
Make an appointmentNo fixed or flat-rate prices: We bill on the basis of the official scale of fees for doctors (GOÄ). According to the GOÄ, we are not allowed to quote fixed or flat-rate prices for medical services. The prices mentioned are intended to provide orientation and are typical for the treatments mentioned.
Possible VAT liability: Medical services may be subject to VAT (currently 19%). This applies if, after diagnostics have been carried out, no medical indication or confirmed diagnosis is present and it is therefore not a medical treatment in the strict sense. This can be the case in particular with social freezing treatments, but also with the treatment of single moms and same-sex couples.
We would be happy to provide you with detailed cost information for the planned treatment in advance. This allows you to clarify cost coverage with your private health insurance (PKV) as best as possible beforehand. Statutory health insurance (GKV) does not cover costs at our center.
Frequently Asked Questions About IVF Naturelle in Munich
How does IVF Naturelle work?
With IVF Naturelle, we monitor natural follicle maturation in the cycle with ultrasound and hormone checks. Shortly before expected ovulation, the matured egg is retrieved and then fertilized in the laboratory. If an embryo develops, it is transferred to the uterus after several days.
What is the difference between IVF Naturelle and conventional IVF?
The difference lies in hormonal stimulation. With conventional IVF, multiple follicles are stimulated to mature through the administration of gonadotropins in order to retrieve multiple eggs. With IVF Naturelle (Natural Cycle IVF), hormonal stimulation is not used and only the natural cycle is utilized.
What are the success rates with IVF without hormones?
The success rate of IVF Naturelle per cycle is lower than with conventionally stimulated IVF, since usually only one egg is available. Decisive factors for the pregnancy rate are primarily the woman’s age, ovarian reserve, and sperm quality.
Which IVF variant is suitable for me?
Whether IVF Naturelle, Mini-IVF, or conventional IVF is appropriate depends on your ovarian reserve, age, hormonal situation, and sperm quality. Previous experiences with earlier treatments also play a role. The decision is made after comprehensive diagnostics and individual medical consultation.
Can I perform multiple natural-cycle cycles consecutively?
Yes, since no hormonal stimulation is used with IVF Naturelle and the physical burden is lower, multiple cycles can be performed consecutively. In principle, multiple cycles can be used consecutively for treatment. Individual planning is done in close coordination with your treating physician.
Is the retrieval painful?
Since usually only one follicle is retrieved with IVF Naturelle, egg retrieval is generally a brief procedure and can often be performed without anesthesia. How the retrieval is experienced varies individually.
How many eggs are retrieved with IVF Naturelle?
Typically, a single egg is retrieved with IVF Naturelle, since the natural cycle is used. In some cases, it can happen that no egg can be retrieved – for example, with premature ovulation.
What does IVF Naturelle cost?
The costs are often lower than with stimulated IVF, particularly because significantly fewer medications are needed. The exact amount depends on the necessary monitoring and whether fertilization is performed as IVF or ICSI. Before beginning treatment, you will receive a transparent individual cost overview from us.
For whom is IVF Naturelle particularly suitable?
IVF Naturelle can be appropriate when hormonal stimulation should be avoided, only few follicles respond to stimulation, or the gentlest possible treatment is desired. We assess individually whether it suits your situation.
Do I need medications with IVF Naturelle?
Conventional hormonal stimulation is not necessary. Depending on the cycle, it may be appropriate to specifically trigger ovulation or support the second half of the cycle with progesterone.
Is IVF Naturelle also possible with low ovarian reserve?
Yes, it can be an option particularly when only few eggs are expected despite stimulation. Whether IVF Naturelle or mild stimulation is more appropriate depends on your individual situation.
Must egg retrieval with IVF Naturelle always be performed without anesthesia?
No. Often anesthesia can be omitted because usually only one follicle is retrieved. If you wish to have anesthesia, this is of course also possible.
