Purpose: Although many reports support stimulated in vitro fertilization, several patients do not respond to it well. Furthermore, stimulated treatment could be associated with reduced ovarian response. We describe three successful cases involving patients of advanced age from whom dominant follicles were retrieved during the natural cycle.
Materials and methods: All patients had failed to bear children through stimulated in vitro fertilization. In case 1, a follicle was retrieved after a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist was used to induce luteinizing hormone surge. In cases 2 and 3, pregnancy was achieved via completely natural cycles.
Results: One embryo was transferred every 16 cycles. Ongoing pregnancy--defined as pregnancy progressing beyond gestation week 9--was established in three cycles. The patients successfully delivered and had uneventful neonatal courses.
Conclusion: Mature oocyte retrieval followed by natural rather than stimulated in vitro fertilization might be a potential treatment for patients of advanced age when stimulated in vitro fertilization has been repeatedly unsuccessful.