Double your chances of achieving pregnancy with Tandem IVF
Traditionally, IVF relies on a single cycle. But what if doubling down on possibilities could unlock your dream of family? Tandem IVF presents an innovative approach, combining two consecutive stimulation cycles within a single treatment plan.
By harnessing the potential of multiple egg retrievals, this strategy maximises egg count and embryo quality, significantly increasing your chances of success. If you’ve faced challenges with previous IVF attempts or have concerns about low egg reserve, Tandem IVF offers a powerful alternative.
A unique approach that combines two IVF cycles, Tandem IVF can significantly increase the chances of achieving pregnancy, with success rates reaching 70%.
Tandem IVF is an innovative fertility treatment that combines conventional IVF with egg or sperm supplementation. In other words, it is a double-cycle treatment that uses your own eggs alongside donor eggs (which serve as back-up) to increase chances of IVF success and reduce the need for additional IVF cycles and subsequent treatment costs.
Tandem IVF can help patients with a history of unsuccessful IVF cycles by:
The Tandem IVF process mirrors that of IVF, with the primary distinction being that both the woman’s eggs and, if necessary, donor eggs are gathered and fertilised concurrently. These eggs are fertilized on the same day and their subsequent development is carefully monitored. This multi-faceted approach enables the identification of the healthiest embryo for transfer, maximising the probability of a successful pregnancy.
The key steps during the Tandem IVF process are:
There are 3 possible scenarios depending on the quality of your embryos. In line with your doctor’s guidance, you may then choose to transfer:
It is possible to transfer up to three embryos in a given cycle, depending on the patient’s age.
1. Once retrieved, both sets of eggs undergo ICSI fertilisation with your partner’s (or donor’s) sperm. If required, both sperm from the male patient and sperm selected from a sperm bank that meets the patient’s requirements can be used in a single treatment cycle.
2. Following the embryo transfer, the unused embryos can be vitrified and stored for future use.
Tandem IVF is recommended for:
Traditionally, IVF relies on a single cycle of egg retrieval and fertilization. While effective for many, individuals with low ovarian reserve, repeated IVF failures, or concerns about egg quality may face limitations. Tandem IVF presents an innovative solution with two consecutive stimulation cycles, significantly increasing the number of eggs retrieved compared to a single cycle. This, in turn, leads to more embryos and potentially higher success rates.
The success rates of Tandem IVF vary depending on the age of the woman, the quality of the embryos, and the underlying cause of infertility. However, studies have shown that Tandem IVF can significantly improve the chances of achieving a pregnancy compared to single IVF cycles. Since individual success rates vary, the best way to get an accurate prediction is to talk to a fertility specialist.
A Tandem IVF cycle typically takes about 3-4 weeks. This includes the time for ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and implantation.
The risks and side effects are similar to those of conventional IVF, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), multiple pregnancies (as two embryos may be transferred per cycle), and a small risk of infection from the procedure.
Medication triggers ovulation in both IVF cycles, guaranteeing a sufficient supply of eggs. Clomiphene citrate, letrozole, and injectable gonadotropins are commonly used. The specific fertility medications prescribed will depend on your individual needs; your doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate medications for you.
