Most IVF ‘add-on’ treatments have no effect on fertility or remain unproven, study says

The majority of "add-on" treatments offered alongside standard IVF procedures lack robust scientific backing and do not demonstrably improve fertility, according to the most extensive study of its kind. These additional interventions, ranging from acupuncture to specific medical tests, are frequently marketed with promises of increasing the likelihood of successful conception.

Despite the surge in availability and patient uptake, the review concluded that many of these add-ons are a "complete waste of money." The study highlights that over 70% of patients undergoing IVF treatment in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand opt for one or more of these extra procedures, often paying significant sums.

Examples of these add-ons include acupuncture, corticosteroid medications, endometrial receptivity testing, and intralipid infusions. The research team's comprehensive analysis indicates that the evidence supporting their efficacy is either unreliable or non-existent, raising concerns about patient expenditure and the clinical justification for their widespread use in fertility treatments.

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Most IVF “add-on” treatments sold to people hoping to boost their chances of having children are not backed by reliable evidence, fail to boost fertility and may be a complete waste of money.