The success rate of those who use assisted reproductive technology (ART) repeatedly to conceive is nearly as good as of those who conceive by natural means, according to a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine on June 28.
The study highlighted how, following three ART cycles, babies were born to at least 63 percent of younger women.
"Our results indicate that live-birth rates approaching natural fecundity can be achieved by means of assisted reproductive technology when there are favorable patient and embryo characteristics," Barbara Luke, the study's lead author wrote.
However, in older women, the success rate of ART is much lower: after three ART cycles using autologous oocytes it was about 19 percent, dropping to 7 percent for those 43 and older.
Speaking with ABC News, Luke noted a quarter of women stop after the first cycle of ART due to a variety of factors including cost and stress. Furthermore, some medical plans cover only one or two cycles — a limitation Luke hopes the study will help overcome.
by RTT Staff Writer
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