Needle Free IVF
Research indicates that approximately two-thirds of fertility patients experience needle anxiety. Ovarian stimulation, essential for egg freezing or IVF, typically involves daily self-injections, ranging from two to four per day, depending on the medication protocol. While this process is generally seen as a necessary step towards the ultimate goal of achieving a successful pregnancy, the emotional and physical toll it may take for some patients can be substantial, and stress and anxiety associated with frequent needle injections can lead to treatment drop-outs or delays.
Dr. Rachel Mandelbaum of HRC Fertility has introduced an innovative solution: “Needle-Free IVF.” As a pioneer in reproductive medicine, Dr. Mandelbaum was motivated to develop this approach after observing the challenges patients faced with needle injections during IVF. After she saw how insulin pumps transformed the lives of patients with type I diabetes, she was inspired to explore a similar technology for fertility treatments.
Dr. Mandelbaum completed a clinical study, completed in 2023 and now published in Fertility & Sterility, that demonstrated excellent outcomes for participants undergoing IVF or egg freezing, and high patient satisfaction. All those who had previously undergone IVF with needle injections preferred the Needle-Free approach.
In response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, Dr. Mandelbaum is now offering the Needle-Free IVF program within her practice. Dr. Mandelbaum’s goal is to enhance the overall IVF experience and potentially improve treatment success.
Needle-Free IVF utilizes a subcutaneous catheter system, similar to a continuous glucose monitor, to administer medications without traditional needle injections. The FDA-approved Neria Guard, generally used for other medical purposes, has been adapted off-label for IVF, representing a significant advancement in fertility care.
Dr. Mandelbaum is pleased to offer Needle-Free IVF at HRC Fertility’s Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles locations. As the pioneer provider of this service, she is deeply enthusiastic about the positive impact it will have on many patients’ fertility journeys.