Which statement about minimal stimulation IVF is correct?

• A. It yields more eggs than conventional stimulation.
• B. It uses higher-dose gonadotropins.
• C. It often yields fewer eggs but similar cumulative pregnancy rates in selected patients.
• D. It is never used in clinical practice.

Answer: (C)

Minimal stimulation IVF uses a milder approach to stimulate the ovaries, often with lower doses of gonadotropins or oral agents, to recruit fewer follicles. Because the stimulation is gentler, the number of eggs retrieved is typically smaller than with conventional stimulation. However, for selected patients, the overall chance of achieving pregnancy across multiple cycles or using frozen transfers—the cumulative pregnancy rate—can be similar to that seen with conventional protocols. This balance of fewer eggs but maintained overall fertility potential is the main idea behind minimal stimulation strategies.

This approach is not about yielding more eggs (that would be characteristic of more aggressive stimulation), nor about using higher doses of gonadotropins. It is indeed used in clinical practice, particularly for patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, those with cost or time constraints, or certain poor responders where a milder protocol may offer a favorable risk–benefit profile.