Friendly IVF: patient opinions

BACKGROUND: The present trend towards low stimulation protocols in IVF call s for evaluation of patient attitudes. METHODS: This study compared results of a 23-item questionnaire mailed to 167 patients receiving a low stimulat ion type of regimen (LS-IVF) (unstimulated cycle or clomiphene) and to 116 patients treated by a standard protocol (S-IVF) (long-down regulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue and FSH or human menopausal gonado trophin), RESULTS: Around two-thirds of all responders in both groups deeme d side-effects important, but side-effects and stress associated with hormo ne treatment were more prevalent in patients receiving S-IVF than LS-IVF, S tress due to cycle cancellation was acceptable, mild or not perceptible in significantly (P < 0.005) more patients receiving LS-IVF [48% (36/75)] comp ared with patients having S-IVF [26% (8/31)], Of patients having tried the LS-IVF protocol, 93% (125/135) would suggest either LS-IVF or a sequence of this and S-IVF as a future treatment 'package' compared with only 53% (33/ 63) in the S-IVF group (chi (2) = 43.08, P < 0.0001), The LS-IVF group show ed a significant trend towards acceptance of higher number of treatment cyc les. CONCLUSIONS: The patients seemed to prefer the simplicity and short du ration of a low stimulation regimen in spite of drawbacks such as a high ri sk of cycle cancellations and accordingly the necessity for more treatment cycles.