Breaking Down Financial Barriers: A Pilot Study to Determine the Feasibility, Acceptance, and Effectiveness of In vitro Maturation in Low Resource Populations

Infertility, the inability to become pregnant after 12 months of trying, has become a recognized public health issue affecting 12% of U.S. couples.1,2 For many couples, the struggle to conceive often takes a significant emotional and financial toll. For those who are able to afford in vitro fertilization (IVF), it can often be a miraculous fix. However, for the millions of uninsured and underinsured, IVF is a treatment option that is beyond financial reach. In vitro maturation (IVM) is a new cost-saving technique in which IVF is performed without the need for costly medications and frequent laboratory and ultrasound monitoring. In the last five years, IVM has been shown among women with high ovarian reserve and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) to produce near comparable pregnancy rates to those who undergo IVF.3-6A costbenefit analysis of IVM in low resource women has yet to be undertaken. This study will be the first to determine the feasibility, acceptance, and cost-benefit of IVM in low resource populations. The results of this study have the potential to improve equity among women seeking infertility treatment and can serve as a springboard to further develop this innovative technology to improve the health and well-being of couples requiring treatment for infertility.