What should be the first-line treatment for unexplained infertility in women over 40 years of age – ovulation induction and IUI, or IVF?

Ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination in women of advanced reproductive age: a systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

The objective of this review is to define live birth rate (LBR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) for women ≥ 40 undergoing ovulation induction (OI)/intrauterine insemination (IUI).

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using PubMed and Google Scholar. The primary and secondary outcomes of interest were LBR and CPR, respectively.

RESULTS

There were 636 studies screened of which 42 were included. In 8 studies which provided LBR for partner sperm, LBR/cycle ranged from 0 to 8.5% with majority being ≤ 4%. Cumulative LBR was 3.6 to 7.1% over 6 cycles with the majority of pregnancies in the first 4. In the four studies providing LBR for donor sperm cycles, LBR/cycle ranged from 3 to 7% with cumulative LBR of 12 to 24% over 6 cycles. The majority of pregnancies occurred in the first 6 cycles. There were three studies with LBR or CPR/cycle ≥ 1% for women ≥ 43. No studies provided data above this range for women ≥ 45. In 4 studies which compared OI/IUI and IVF, the LBR from IVF was 9.2 to 22% per cycle. In 7 studies which compared outcomes by stimulation protocol, no significant differences were seen.

CONCLUSION

For women ≥ 40 using homologous sperm, the highest probability of live birth is via IVF. However, if IVF is not an option, OI/IUI may be considered for up to 4 cycles in those using partner sperm or 6 cycles with donor sperm. For women > 45, OI/IUI is likely futile but a limited trial may be considered for psychological benefit while encouraging consideration of donor oocyte IVF or adoption. Use of gonadotropins does not appear to be more effective than oral agents in this age group.

Disrupting the biological clock: Fertility benefits, egg freezing and proactive fertility management

In the last decade, the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) sector has witnessed a shift from so-called 'reactive IVF' to a new model of proactive fertility care. Whereas IVF was traditionally developed to treat people who found they were unable to conceive, the indication for IVF has broadened significantly to include a much wider group of potential patients through a new focus on proactive treatment of future (in)fertilities. This shift combines a number of new trends pertaining to preservation, prediction, private equity and platformization, all of which have gained influence in contemporary assisted reproduction. This article focuses on the emergence of company-sponsored fertility benefits, which combines each of these trends. Whereas fertility benefits - especially egg freezing insurance - have primarily been discussed in terms of women's empowerment or disenfranchisement, this article instead calls attention to the discursive, clinical and infrastructural shifts in contemporary assisted reproduction that have emerged with the rising popularity of these benefits. The analysis addresses these underdiscussed aspects of fertility benefits by focusing on the dynamics of demand; the shifts in the rationalization of intensified treatment pathways in the face of new reimbursement practices; and the online, platform-based infrastructures that are built to provide these treatments. In doing so, it analyses how this remaking of fertility towards an ethos of proactive fertility management reflects broader capitalist tailwinds.

Assisted reproductive techniques

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) encompass fertility treatments, which involve manipulations of both oocyte and sperm in vitro. This chapter provides a brief overview of ART, including indications for treatment, ovarian reserve testing, selection of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols, laboratory techniques of ART including in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), embryo transfer techniques, and luteal phase support. This chapter also discusses potential complications of ART, namely ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple gestations, and the perinatal outcomes of ART.

What is the best treatment option for infertile women aged 40 and over?

PURPOSE

To summarise the causes of decreased fecundity with age and review chronological vs biological ovarian ageing. To explore the clinician's means of assessing a woman's ovarian reserve. To review the recent literature on the effectiveness of different assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques for women aged 40 and over and offer a single best treatment option.

METHODS

Pubmed and google scholar were searched for relevant articles using key words. Data were extracted based on authors, year, aims, sample and results.

RESULTS

Success rates for women aged 40 or over with clomiphene, IUI, IUI with FSH are all extremely low, at less than 1% live birth per cycle. However, IVF offers a success rate of around 13.7% per cycle.

CONCLUSION

An exploration of the effectiveness of available treatment options for older infertile women using their own gametes suggests that IVF offers the best prospects of success. Attempting treatments other than IVF will delay conception unnecessarily.