Mini IVF: How the Process Differs from Standard IVF
Mini IVF — also called mild IVF, mild stimulation IVF, or soft IVF — is essentially the same treatment as IVF, but with lower doses of stimulation medication. The aim is often to collect fewer but good-quality eggs, while reducing medication side effects, tailoring the approach to ovarian reserve or medical history, and sometimes lowering costs.
Author
Tassia O’Callaghan
Reviewed by
Kayleigh Hartigan
17 min read
Published 24 October 2025
Treatment spotlight:
- Mini IVF uses lower doses of fertility drugs than conventional IVF, aiming for fewer but potentially higher-quality eggs. [1]
- The process still involves stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation, and embryo transfer, but with a gentler medication approach.
- It may be considered for people with low ovarian reserve, PCOS, or those who prefer reduced medication and lower costs. [2,3]
- Typical egg yield is around 3–6 eggs per cycle, compared with 12 or more in standard IVF. [4]
- Not all clinics offer mini IVF — our Clinic Match tool can help identify where it’s available.
- Success rates can be slightly lower than standard IVF for younger patients, but may be similar — or even better — for some over 40 or with very low ovarian reserve. [2,5,6]
What is considered mini IVF?
Mini IVF — also called mild or soft stimulation IVF, or abbreviated to MS-IVF — is IVF but using lower doses of fertility medication (or different medication combinations), taken over a shorter period of time, than standard IVF. The goal is to stimulate the ovaries to produce fewer eggs, but still enough to give a good chance of creating healthy embryos. [1]
You’ll still go through the same key steps as standard IVF: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation in the lab, and embryo transfer. The main difference is the medication protocol — both the type and the amount.
It’s a more tailored approach that can be a good fit for some people — but whether it’s right for you depends on your age, ovarian reserve, and fertility diagnosis.
Who is mini IVF for?
Mini IVF may be recommended if:
- Mini IVF may be recommended if you have a low ovarian reserve and are unlikely to produce many eggs, even with higher doses of stimulation. Some evidence shows that increasing the medication dose doesn’t necessarily improve live birth rates in this group — though some doctors may still suggest standard IVF to try to maximise egg numbers. [7]
- You have PCOS and are at higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
- You’ve had a poor response to conventional IVF in the past.
- You prefer a lower-medication approach for personal or medical reasons.
- You’re looking to reduce costs, side effects, or the length of the stimulation phase.
Treatment Essentials: IVF
All about IVF: the steps involved, how much it costs, understand success rates and risks – all in one convenient, in-depth guide.
Before you start mini IVF, remember:
- Mini IVF isn’t available everywhere. And it might not be listed as a separate treatment, even when it is offered — many clinics simply tailor stimulation doses case-by-case rather than calling it “Mini IVF.”
- You may need more cycles to achieve pregnancy compared to conventional IVF.
- Fewer eggs usually means fewer embryos. This is something to consider if you’re hoping to freeze embryos for the future.
- Lower medication doesn’t always mean higher success rates. Your clinic can help you weigh up the pros and cons for your situation.
- Mini IVF is still a medical procedure. Even with lower doses of hormone medication, there can be side effects, and egg retrieval still involves a minor surgical procedure under sedation or general anaesthetic. Taking time to rest and recover afterwards is important.
Mini IVF: Step-by-step
Step 1: Pretreatment
Time: Varies, but approx. 2 weeks
Location: Home / Clinic
Before starting mini IVF, your clinic will run tests to understand your fertility and tailor your treatment plan.
For those with ovaries, this usually means blood tests for AMH and FSH to check ovarian reserve, and a pelvic scan with an antral follicle count (AFC) to see how many follicles are likely to respond to stimulation. For those with sperm, semen analysis measures quantity, movement (motility), and shape (morphology), with ICSI sometimes recommended if results are outside the expected range.
Both partners will be screened for blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. You’ll then have a follow-up consultation to review results, finalise your protocol, and learn how to take your medication. Some clinics may also ask you to track your natural cycle first, which can add an extra month before treatment begins.
Step 2: Ovarian stimulation
Time: 2–4 weeks
Location: Home / Clinic
In mini IVF, treatment usually begins on day 1 or 2 of your period with ovarian stimulation. Over the next 1–2 weeks, you’ll take lower doses of fertility medication — often by injection — to help several follicles grow at the same time. Your doctor will track their progress with blood tests and ultrasound scans until they’re ready for egg collection.
Some protocols also include a short down-regulation phase beforehand, using medication to pause your natural cycle before stimulation starts. This isn’t always necessary and will depend on your clinic’s approach.
What medication is used for mini IVF?
Mini IVF typically uses a gentler mix of fertility medications, with lower doses than conventional IVF. The exact protocol varies by clinic, but it often includes:
- Oral medications: Such as clomiphene citrate or letrozole to help stimulate follicle growth in the early phase of the cycle.
- Low-dose injectable gonadotropins: FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) or hMG (human menopausal gonadotropin) to encourage several follicles to mature at the same time. The dosage is lower than the amount used in conventional IVF, but will depend on your ovarian reserve, age, and medical history.
- GnRH antagonist: To stop premature ovulation before egg collection.
- Trigger shot: Usually hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) or sometimes a GnRH agonist, given when follicles are ready, to help eggs mature for retrieval.
This lower-intensity approach means fewer drugs overall, a shorter stimulation phase, and a reduced risk of side effects like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
Step 3: Trigger and egg retrieval
Time: 36 hours
Location: Clinic
Once your follicles have reached the right size, your clinic will ask you to take a trigger shot — an injection (usually hCG or sometimes a GnRH agonist) that helps the eggs mature in time for collection.
About 36 hours later, you’ll return to the clinic for egg retrieval. This is a short procedure, usually 15–30 minutes under sedation, to collect the eggs from your ovaries. On the same day, a sperm sample — from your partner or a donor — will be prepared in the lab, ready for fertilisation.
Step 4: Fertilisation, embryo culture, and uterus preparation
Time: 3–5 days
Location: Laboratory
After retrieval, your eggs are combined with the prepared sperm in the lab. If fertilisation happens, the developing embryos are monitored over the next 3–5 days as the cells begin to divide.
Meanwhile, you’ll start taking progesterone at home — known as luteal support — to help prepare the lining of your uterus so it’s ready for an embryo to implant.
Step 5: Embryo transfer
Time: 20 minutes
Location: Clinic
If more than one embryo develops, the embryologist will select the one with the best chance of success for transfer.
Embryo transfer is a straightforward procedure that usually doesn’t need anaesthetic. Using a thin catheter passed through the cervix, the embryo is gently placed into your uterus, ready to implant.
Step 6: The two week wait
Time: 2 weeks
Location: Home
After transfer, the aim is for your embryo to implant into the lining of your uterus and continue developing into a pregnancy. The following “two-week wait” is the period before a pregnancy test can give you a reliable result.
Many clinics offer counselling or early monitoring during this time, but even without these, it’s important to prioritise support and self-care. This stage is just as much a part of the mini IVF process as any other, and it deserves the same care and attention.
How long does mini IVF take?
Typical timeline: 6–9 weeks
This timeline covers one round of mini IVF, from pre-treatment through to taking a pregnancy test.
The exact length can vary depending on your protocol, and whether your clinic recommends any extra tests before starting. Some people also choose to pause after pre-treatment, so mini IVF timelines can look different for everyone.
Understanding mini IVF success rates
Mini IVF success rates are difficult to confirm because there’s no central UK dataset, and results vary widely between clinics. International research suggests that, for people under 35 with good ovarian reserve, live birth rates per cycle can be slightly lower than with conventional IVF — for example, one study reported around 49% for mini IVF compared with 63% for standard IVF. For those over 40 or with low ovarian reserve, the difference is often smaller, and in some cases mini IVF may offer similar outcomes, particularly if gentle stimulation supports egg or embryo quality. [2]
When looking at cumulative results — the chance of a live birth over several cycles — one large study using clomiphene citrate only reported that after three cycles, success rates reached around 70% for those aged 34 and under, 49% for ages 35–37, 39% for ages 38–40, 25% for ages 41–42, and 9% for ages 43 and over. Across all ages in that study, the average live birth rate per cycle was about 27%. [5]
However, it’s important to view these numbers in context. In the UK, the average live birth rate for conventional IVF is around 22% per cycle — and international studies generally find mini IVF has a lower success rate than standard IVF. This means the figures above are likely optimistic compared with real-world UK outcomes, and the average success rate for mini IVF here may be less than 22%, since fewer eggs are retrieved, and a higher amount of eggs retrieved correlates to a higher pregnancy rate, which links to a higher birth rate. Your personal chances will depend on factors such as age, fertility history, underlying medical conditions, and the exact protocol your clinic uses. [6]
What happens after my mini IVF cycle?
What happens after a mini IVF cycle can be different for everyone. If your treatment doesn’t result in a pregnancy, it can be a challenging experience to process. Some people prefer to take time out before deciding on next steps, while others feel ready to move forward quickly. Your clinic should arrange a follow-up consultation and may offer counselling to help you explore your options.
Mini IVF can feel emotionally intense, and repeated cycles may add to that pressure. Alongside your clinic’s medical and emotional support, connecting with others who’ve been through similar experiences — whether in person or online — can provide understanding, encouragement, and a stronger sense of connection.
What are the risks of mini IVF?
Like any fertility treatment, mini IVF carries some risks — even though the lower medication doses mean certain complications are less likely than with conventional IVF. Your doctor will discuss these with you before you start, but it’s helpful to understand the main possibilities.
Potential risks of mini IVF include:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): Less common with mini IVF than standard IVF, but still possible in people who respond strongly to stimulation medication.
- Multiple pregnancy: In mini IVF, it’s rare for more than one embryo to be transferred at a time. Occasionally, your doctor may recommend transferring two — usually if they believe the chance of pregnancy is low. However, transferring more than one embryo increases the risk of multiple pregnancy. In the UK, guidance such as the HFEA’s One at a Time campaign has significantly reduced how often this happens.
- Egg retrieval complications: Such as infection, bleeding, or damage to surrounding structures, though these are uncommon.
- Emotional impact: Treatment can be physically and mentally demanding, especially if multiple cycles are needed.
- Cycle cancellation: Stimulation may not result in enough mature follicles for egg collection, particularly if ovarian reserve is low.
- Fewer embryos to work with: Producing fewer eggs can mean fewer embryos for transfer or freezing, which may affect future treatment options.
Your NHS Eligibility
Use our NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator to discover if you can access free IVF and IUI.
Is mini IVF available on the NHS?
No, mini IVF is not typically available on the NHS. Most NHS fertility services follow standard IVF protocols, which use higher doses of stimulation medication. However, it can still be worth raising the option with your GP or fertility consultant, as availability depends on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the specific eligibility criteria in your area. NHS funding rules can be strict, and even if you meet them, you may be offered only the standard approach.
If you’d prefer mini IVF, the most direct route is usually through a private fertility clinic. This allows you to choose a clinic that offers the treatment, tailor your protocol to your needs, and explore any additional services or approaches that matter to you. You can use our Clinic Match tool to find private clinics that provide mini IVF and match your personal criteria — making it easier to compare options and choose the one that’s right for you.
Where can I find a mini IVF clinic?
Not every clinic lists “Mini IVF” as a separate treatment. Instead, many personalise stimulation doses within their standard IVF protocols, adjusting medication to your individual needs rather than giving it a different name. Because of this, it’s less about finding a clinic that advertises Mini IVF, and more about finding one that’s experienced in tailoring treatment.
That’s where our Clinic Match tool comes in. It helps you compare clinics based on your medical needs, budget, reputation, and location — so you can see which options are best suited to you.
If you’d like more personalised guidance, you can also send us a WhatsApp message to book a call with our fertility clinic expert. They’ll help you explore your options and identify clinics that align with your circumstances and treatment goals.
Find the right clinic for you
Choosing a clinic is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. We’ll find the best options for you and arrange your pre-treatment tests, empowering you from this point onwards.
I’ve had mini IVF and it didn’t work – what next?
What happens after a mini IVF cycle will depend on your circumstances — including any identified fertility factors, your age, budget, and how long you’ve been trying to conceive. Possible next steps include:
- Trying another cycle: Many people choose to move on to the next round when they feel ready.
- Further testing: Your clinic may recommend investigations to check for underlying fertility conditions before trying again.
- Adjusting your medication protocol: Changes to dosage or drug combinations can sometimes improve egg yield or quality.
- Switching to conventional IVF: Higher-dose stimulation may produce more eggs, giving more embryos to work with.
- Exploring donor eggs: This may be an option if your ovarian reserve is very low or egg quality is a concern.
- Considering other treatments: Alternatives like IUI or embryo donation could be discussed with your clinic.
- Looking into other family-building options: Donor conception, surrogacy, or adoption may be routes to explore.
- Taking a break or stopping treatment: Time out can help you recover physically and emotionally, and stopping altogether may feel right for some people.
How does mini IVF compare to other treatments?
IVF isn’t one-size-fits-all. From full-cycle IVF to mini or natural IVF, each approach uses different levels of medication, monitoring, and lab support to stimulate the ovaries and collect eggs. The main difference lies in how much medication is used — and how many eggs are expected in return — which can affect both cost and experience.
Treatment
Who it’s for
Medication
Timeline
Average cycle cost
IVF
Broad range of infertility cases
Higher dose medication for 2-4 weeks
6-9 weeks
£7,545
Mini IVF (AKA mild IVF)
Those with low ovarian reserve, PCOS, or preferring less medication
Low-dose injectables and oral medication
4–6 weeks
£3,000–£5,000
Natural IVF
Broad range of infertility cases, those preferring no medication
None/minimal
4–6 weeks
£2,500–£4,000
Mini IVF FAQs
Is mini IVF better for low ovarian reserve?
Mini IVF can be a suitable option for some people with low ovarian reserve, particularly when higher doses of stimulation medication are unlikely to produce more eggs. Research shows that for poor responders, a minimal stimulation protocol — often combining lower-dose gonadotropins with letrozole — can lead to similar egg numbers but higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared with high-dose protocols. This gentler approach may create a more natural hormonal environment, which could benefit egg quality and endometrial receptivity. [8]
It’s important to remember that mini IVF won’t increase ovarian reserve, and results will still depend on factors like age, medical history, and individual response to treatment. For some, it can be a more cost-effective and better-tolerated way to maximise the eggs available — but the best approach is to discuss your results and goals with your fertility specialist.
Is mini IVF better for PCOS?
Mini IVF can be a good option for some people with PCOS, largely because it uses lower doses of stimulation medication. With PCOS, the ovaries can be highly sensitive to fertility drugs, increasing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) — a potentially serious side effect. By keeping medication doses lower, mini IVF may help reduce this risk while still producing multiple eggs for fertilisation. Research also suggests that, in high responders like many people with PCOS, minimal stimulation can achieve similar live birth rates to conventional IVF, but with fewer side effects and lower cost. [3]
That said, mini IVF isn’t automatically the best choice for everyone with PCOS. Some people may benefit from a standard protocol tailored to their hormone levels and ovarian response, especially if maximising egg numbers in a single cycle is a priority. The decision often comes down to balancing egg yield, OHSS risk, cost, and your own treatment goals — something best discussed with your fertility specialist, who can personalise the approach to your PCOS profile and overall health.
Is mini IVF better for endometriosis?
Mini IVF isn’t automatically “better” for endometriosis, but it may be a good fit for certain situations. The available research suggests that, aside from the well-known risk of reduced ovarian reserve after endometrioma surgery, endometriosis itself doesn’t appear to significantly affect ovarian stimulation, egg quality, fertilisation, or embryo implantation. This means mini IVF can work just as well as conventional IVF for many people with the condition — particularly if your ovarian reserve is still in a healthy range and you want to limit medication doses or costs. [9]
However, if you’ve had extensive surgery for endometriomas or your ovarian reserve is already low, the main challenge isn’t the type of stimulation protocol, but maximising the number of eggs retrieved in each cycle. In these cases, your doctor might recommend a higher-dose approach instead of mini IVF. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your AMH, antral follicle count, treatment history, and personal priorities — and ideally discussed with a fertility specialist who understands both your endometriosis and your long-term fertility goals.
Can you pick gender with mini IVF?
While it is technically possible to relatively accurately determine an embryo’s sex through preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), sex selection for non-medical reasons is illegal in the UK. In other countries where it’s allowed, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) would be required — the same as with conventional IVF — although it’s considered unethical, if not illegal, in many countries. [10]
Does mini IVF hurt?
With mini IVF, most people experience similar physical sensations to conventional IVF — things like mild bloating or cramping during stimulation, and a brief recovery period after egg retrieval. The difference is that, because the hormone doses are lower, some side effects may be milder compared to a standard IVF cycle.
How many eggs with mini IVF?
With mini IVF, you can generally expect to retrieve fewer eggs than with conventional IVF — on average, around 3 to 6 eggs per cycle, according to this small study, compared to 12 or more with standard stimulation. This is because mini IVF uses much lower doses of medication. [4]
While that number may sound small, research shows that the pregnancy rate per egg retrieved can actually be higher with mini IVF, especially for people over 40 or those with a very low ovarian reserve.
Sources
- Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. IVF options.
- Zhang, J.J., Merhi, Z., Yang, M., Bodri, D., Chavez-Badiola, A., Repping, S. and van Wely, M., 2016. Minimal stimulation IVF vs conventional IVF: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 214(1), pp.96-e1.
- Kotlyar AM, Seifer DB. Women with PCOS who undergo IVF: a comprehensive review of therapeutic strategies for successful outcomes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2023 Aug 1;21(1):70. doi: 10.1186/s12958-023-01120-7. PMID: 37528417; PMCID: PMC10391774.
- Use of a novel minimal stimulation in vitro fertilization (“mini-IVF”) protocol for low ovarian reserve and for older women. Silber, S. et al. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 100, Issue 3, S18.
- Abe T, Yabuuchi A, Ezoe K, Skaletsky H, Fukuda J, Ueno S, Fan Y, Goldsmith S, Kobayashi T, Silber S, Kato K. Success rates in minimal stimulation cycle IVF with clomiphene citrate only. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Feb;37(2):297-304. doi: 10.1007/s10815-019-01662-z. Epub 2019 Dec 23. PMID: 31867688; PMCID: PMC7056817.
- Fanton M, Cho JH, Baker VL, Loewke K. A higher number of oocytes retrieved is associated with an increase in fertilized oocytes, blastocysts, and cumulative live birth rates. Fertil Steril. 2023 May;119(5):762-769. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.01.001. Epub 2023 Jan 10. PMID: 36634732.
- Datta AK, Maheshwari A, Felix N, Campbell S, Nargund G. Mild versus conventional ovarian stimulation for IVF in poor, normal and hyper-responders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2021 Feb 19;27(2):229-253. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa035. PMID: 33146690; PMCID: PMC7902993.
- Lazer T, Dar S, Shlush E, Al Kudmani BS, Quach K, Sojecki A, Glass K, Sharma P, Baratz A, Librach CL. Comparison of IVF Outcomes between Minimal Stimulation and High-Dose Stimulation for Patients with Poor Ovarian Reserve. Int J Reprod Med. 2014;2014:581451. doi: 10.1155/2014/581451. Epub 2014 Oct 1. PMID: 25763403; PMCID: PMC4334044.
- Somigliana E, Li Piani L, Paffoni A, Salmeri N, Orsi M, Benaglia L, Vercellini P, Vigano’ P. Endometriosis and IVF treatment outcomes: unpacking the process. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2023 Nov 7;21(1):107. doi: 10.1186/s12958-023-01157-8. PMID: 37936154; PMCID: PMC10629090.
- Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. HFEA statement into Daily Mail investigation about sex selection. Publication date: 15 April 2025.