effortless IVF ™: How & why it works

Infertility is very common in the United States; in fact, about 12% of women aged 15 to 44 years have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a full-term pregnancy, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

And cost is the primary barrier to traditional in vitro fertilization treatment, which on average can run about $41,000 per baby.

The often expensive, invasive, and complicated nature of traditional IVF is exactly what motivated Drs. Kathy and Kevin Doody to find an easier and more affordable alternative to offer their patients: a revolutionary new treatment called effortless IVF ™.

Introducing a new, more affordable option

“Kevin and I were at our major meeting, American Society of Reproduction, in the fall of 2013 and met someone who wanted to share information about the INVOcell device,” Dr. Kathy recalls.

At that point the INVOcell device was being used in a limited number of cycles in a few countries outside the United States. “The concept of vaginal culture using the INVOcell device intrigued both of us. We decided it might be the key to helping us achieve the goal of increasing access to IVF care in the US. This might just be what we’d been looking for.”

That conversation would be the starting point in the Doody’s journey to developing effortless IVF ™. The INVOcell device obtained FDA approval at the end of 2015. Dr. Kevin and Dr. Kathy were the leaders in introducing this innovative option to patients in the US.

How effortless IVF ™ works

With effortless IVF ™, many patients can bypass the majority of expenses associated with conventional IVF and still achieve comparable success rates.

The process behindeffortless IVF ™ relies on the revolutionary INVOcell device, which comes into play after the egg retrieval. Eggs are mixed with sperm are placed inside the INVOcell, which is then placed inside the vagina to provide optimal conditions for fertilization (and replace the need for a lab incubator).

After five days, a developing embryo is transferred to the uterus. Extra embryos that are not transferred may be frozen use in the future. Many patients who are candidates for traditional IVF are candidates for effortless IVF ™, too.

More than just a new treatment option

The benefits of effortless IVF ™ aren’t strictly financial. This new option is also giving couples hope for having a family—even if they aren’t necessarily candidates for the treatment themselves.

Undoubtedly, effortless IVF ™ has a unique ability to facilitate important conversations about infertility and empower patients with knowledge about their own potential access to new, affordable treatment.

“The concept of effortless IVF ™ offers hope to patients,” Dr. Kathy says. “Sometimes patients come in and they aren't a candidate, but we talk about what other options might work for them,” she states. “Sometimes, just knowing that hope is there helps bring someone in to begin a discussion or further discuss their fertility options.”

To learn more about effortless IVF ™, visit effortlessivf.com or call 972-661-9544.