In Vitro Maturation (IVM)
In Vitro Maturation (IVM) is a relatively new procedure similar to in vitro fertilization (IVF), yet with a notable difference. IVF utilizes a regimen of medications to bring a patient's eggs to maturity before they are removed from the ovary; IVM retrieves eggs while they are still in the immature stage, and brings them to maturity in the laboratory (in vitro).
IVM is ideal for patients who are unable to tolerate the effects of the medications necessary to urge oocytes to maturity, such as cancer patients who are early in recovery and on other medications. For these patients, the same treatments that are used to trigger oocytes to transition to maturity, may also cause a stimulative effect on deadly cancer cells.
As well, other kinds of patients may benefit from IVM, incuding some Prematurely Aging Ovary patients. IVM is also a way to avoid expensive gonadotropins and risks related to ovarian hyperstimulation.
Contact Us to learn more about these treatments.