IVM Full Form Explained: In Vitro Maturation Process, Benefits & Risks

What is IVM?

In Vitro Maturation or IVM is an advanced fertility technique where immature eggs are collected from the ovaries and allowed to mature in a laboratory instead of inside the body. In a typical IVF cycle, strong hormonal medications are used to make the eggs grow and mature before retrieval. IVM works differently because it retrieves the eggs at an earlier stage and supports their maturation outside the body in carefully controlled lab conditions. Once these eggs reach full maturity, they can be fertilised and developed into embryos, similar to a standard IVF process. In simple terms, this is a type of IVF process with an extra step done in the laboratory, which is the maturation of eggs.

Eligibility for IVM

Although a very compelling alternative to those harsh stimulation medications, IVM is not useful for every patient considering it. Recognising the patient’s eligibility is essential to know whether the patient’s body can support the unique process of maturing eggs outside the body, or not, which consequently depends upon:

• The age of the woman and the quality of her eggs. That is, the younger the woman is, the better the quality of the eggs will be.
• Underlying conditions, such as endometriosis or previous ovarian surgeries, can also determine eligibility for IVM.

Apart from this, a thorough health evaluation is essential before starting IVM. Doctors assess hormonal levels, ovarian function and overall health to confirm whether IVM is the most appropriate treatment option.

How In Vitro Maturation Works

IVM is generally a gentler process on the body than IVF; still, it needs each step to be monitored very carefully to get positive outcomes. The process involves the following, thoughtfully carried out stages:

Medical Assessment:

The first step is to assess whether the patient is eligible to undergo this procedure. This also includes doctors tracking the growth of the small and immature follicles in the ovaries through ultrasound.

Retrieval of Immature Eggs:

The immature eggs are collected via a very fine needle through the vaginal opening. It is interesting to note that this is the step different from IVF, in that the egg retrieval is done earlier in the cycle.

Maturation in the Laboratory:

The collected immature eggs are now placed in the laboratory and carefully cultured in a medium that mimics the natural environment of the body to mature them. As we are mimicking a natural environment, constant and thorough monitoring is very important. This is why these cultured eggs are monitored for 24 to 48 hours.

Fertilisation:

Once the eggs become mature enough, they are used to be fertilised with the sperm on their own or with ICSI. Again, the fertilised eggs are observed for a few days to divide enough for the commencement of the next step.

Embryo Transfer:

The next step is embryo transfer. Once the embryo is mature enough, it is transferred into the uterus. Note that typically only one embryo is transferred, and the remaining embryos are frozen for future cycles if the previous one fails.

Benefits of IVM

In Vitro Maturation offers a great deal of benefits with just one extra step than IVF. That is, reducing the hormonal stress on the body. Essentially, the benefits are not limited to medical but go beyond that, such as:

• Reduced Hormonal Exposure: The best advantage of IVM is the reduced exposure of the body to harsh fertility medication. So that the hormones do not undergo fluctuations due to the side effects of medications.
• No Ovarian Hyperstimulation: Patients with greater sensitivity towards stimulation of the ovaries, this alternative is a game-changer. No stimulation at all leads to no tension for no ovarian hyperstimulation.
• Less Number of Injections: As the process does not need stimulators, the medications via injections are no longer required, making it a non-invasive procedure.
• Lesser Time: Ovarian stimulation alone takes up at least 8 to 14 days. Therefore, skipping this entire section reduces the overall timeline for the treatment itself.
• Cost Cutting: The medications used to stimulate the ovaries are expensive, and therefore, without these medications, the overall cost of the treatment will automatically reduce.

Risks and Limitations of IVM:

IVM, no doubt, is a really effective method for anyone looking for a drug-free fertility solution; still, the process carries some serious issues. This is the reason why doctors often weigh IVF more than IVM in most cases. So, before opting for IVM, acknowledge the following risks and limitations linked with this process:

• As the laboratory environment does not always meet the natural standards of the body, the success rates for IVM are generally less than IVF.
• The number of embryos that mature can also vary from the number of eggs collected from the ovaries, reducing the total fertilisable eggs.
• The process has been shown to give the best results only in some specific cases of underlying issues. That is, women with low egg count and limited follicle development potential may not be suitable candidates.
• The lab environment requires thorough monitoring and advanced technology to mimic a body’s versatility, which incompetent clinics may fail to do.

Conclusion

Finally, it can be concluded that IVM is a revolutionary and game-changing procedure for individuals looking for a fertility treatment not laden with heavy medicines. Additionally, allowing the eggs to mature in a laboratory reduces the risk of being affected by hyperstimulation, which is a very common case with IVF. Despite being a less successful treatment than IVF, IVM is gaining popularity due to its side-effect-free nature on future fertility. So, if you too want a chemical-free fertility treatment, then IVM is not a bad option.