In vitro fertilization is an underutilized service in the United States due to high cost, lack of insurance coverage for many patients and the physical and psychological burdens of the treatment. Mild stimulation protocols offer many advantages to patients, including affordability, convenience and fewer complications. There is a need to educate IVF practitioners on the use of these protocols and the similar success rates achieved compared with conventional stimulation. This course for reproductive medicine specialists, nurses and fellows will use both lectures and interactive discussions in presenting ways to simplify IVF treatment. Faculty will discuss various stimulation protocols, as well as the natural cycle and its variants. Other topics to be covered include in-depth cost analysis of IVF in the United States and possible cost-cutting measures; minimizing the incidence of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; and simplifying luteal phase support for IVF.

At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to: 1. Summarize the reasons that IVF service needs to be more patient-friendly and affordable. 2. Compare the different mild stimulation protocols and their multiple advantages, including similar success rates to conventional stimulation. 3. Clarify for patients ways in which to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. 4. Describe luteal phase support and list strategies to simplify the treatment.