For a long time, fresh and frozen embryos were not created equal in the world of IVF. Clinics and studies alike gave contrasting opinions on which types of embryos yield better success rates. But new research is leveling the playing field. It just depends how you freeze them.
“Previous research has shown that women who experience infertility because of PCOS benefit from significantly higher live birth rates from frozen embryos in IVF procedures, but evidence was lacking for this approach in non-PCOS patients,” says author Ben W. Mol, a professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia. "This new study shows that infertile women not suffering from PCOS have equivalent live IVF birth rates from frozen embryos, which is important news for infertile women worldwide.”
Because frozen embryos are growing in popularity, researchers wanted to compare success rates with fresh embryos. After following 800 women with infertility unrelated to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), they determined that pregnancy success rates after IVF were 36 percent for the frozen embryo group and in 35 percent for the fresh embryo group. Live birth rates were comparable: 34 percent for the frozen group and 32 percent for fresh.
“Our key finding is that freezing embryos for IVF is not harming a couple’s chances of having a baby,” Mol says. “After the first fresh embryo transfer, it will be possible to freeze the remaining embryos and transfer them one by one, which is safe and effective.”
One hindrance, however, is cost. This study only analyzed a specific freezing method called Cryotech vitrification, which Mol says adds additional costs to the IVF process. This is atypical; while it varies clinic by clinic, frozen embryo transfers are usually much cheaper than fresh embryo transfers because egg harvesting and fertilization process is already complete.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
