Low-dose medication for fewer, higher-quality eggs — the balance point between a natural cycle and full stimulation. Gentler on your body, kinder on cost.
Minimal Stimulation IVF — often called Mini IVF — uses significantly lower doses of fertility medications than conventional IVF. The goal is not to produce as many eggs as possible, but to produce a smaller number of high-quality eggs with minimal impact on your body.
This approach sits between Natural Cycle IVF (no medication) and conventional IVF (full stimulation). Dr. Gunjan Kacker , our founder, has developed deep expertise in low-stimulation protocols over 25 years and considers this approach for patients for whom a gentler cycle makes medical or personal sense.
The philosophy is quality over quantity. A small cohort of well-developed, mature eggs often results in stronger embryos than a large group of eggs produced under heavy stimulation. For many patients, Mini IVF represents the best balance between effectiveness, cost, and quality of experience.
A reduced dose of oral and/or injectable fertility medications — typically Clomiphene or low-dose Gonadotrophins — gently encourages your ovaries to produce 2–5 eggs, rather than the 8–15 targeted in conventional IVF.
Regular ultrasound scans and blood tests track follicle development to ensure the medication is working as intended.
When follicles reach maturity, the eggs are collected under light sedation in a brief procedure.
Eggs are fertilised in our on-site lab and embryos are monitored closely by our resident embryologist.
The best-quality embryo is transferred. Any additional viable embryos may be frozen for future cycles.
Dr. Gunjan will assess whether Minimal Stimulation IVF is appropriate based on your ovarian reserve, previous cycle history, and personal preferences. There is no single protocol that fits everyone, and our approach is always built around you — not a standard template.
Success rates per cycle are typically lower than conventional IVF because fewer eggs are retrieved. However, the lower cost and reduced side effects mean that patients can often complete more cycles, and cumulative pregnancy rates can be comparable. Your doctor will give you an honest assessment based on your individual ovarian reserve and age.
Natural Cycle IVF uses no fertility drugs — it retrieves the single egg your body naturally selected. Minimal Stimulation IVF uses a low dose of medication to encourage the ovaries to produce 2–5 eggs. Both are gentler than conventional IVF, but Minimal Stimulation gives slightly more control over the cycle and a slightly higher number of eggs to work with.
The target is typically 2–5 mature eggs per cycle. This is deliberately fewer than conventional IVF, where 8–15 eggs may be retrieved. The lower number allows the focus to remain on egg quality, and reduces the physical burden on your body.
The most common protocols use low-dose oral Clomiphene (Clomid) alone, or Clomiphene combined with a low dose of injectable Gonadotrophins. Your doctor will choose the protocol based on your ovarian reserve and cycle history. The reduction in injectable medication is one of the key benefits for many patients.
Mini IVF may be particularly suitable if you have PCOS (at risk of OHSS with full stimulation), if you have previously had a poor response to conventional stimulation, if you are older and prioritising egg quality, or if you prefer a less intensive cycle. Your doctor will assess this at your free first consultation.
Your first consultation at White Stork IVF is completely free. No referral needed. No commitment. Speak with our team in Dona Paula, Goa.
