Two fertility approaches for women with PCOS: fresh versus frozen embryo transfer

Plain-English translation of NCT07171970 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated October 2025 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

This trial is testing two different approaches to fertility treatment for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). One approach uses a gentler method called in vitro maturation (IVM) where eggs are retrieved while still immature and matured in the lab, then transferred fresh into the uterus within days. The other approach uses standard in vitro fertilization (IVF) where eggs are stimulated to mature before retrieval, fertilized, frozen for later use, and then thawed and transferred when the uterus is ready.

PCOS can make fertility treatment challenging because the ovaries often respond too strongly to hormone stimulation, which can cause serious side effects. Researchers want to find out whether the gentler IVM approach with fresh transfer might work just as well or better than standard IVF with frozen transfer, while reducing these risks.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 42 years old
you have been diagnosed with PCOS according to standard criteria
you have had fewer than three failed frozen embryo transfer cycles
you have not had more than two cleavage embryos or one high-quality blastocyst transferred in previous attempts
you are willing to be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment approaches

You likely don't qualify if…

you are allergic to or cannot safely take hormone medications
you have a history of blood clots or breast cancer
you have untreated problems with your uterus or fallopian tubes, such as scarring, abnormal shape, large fibroids, or blocked tubes
you need genetic testing of embryos before transfer
you are using donated eggs

What participation looks like

You will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. If assigned to the IVM-fresh group, you will take hormone tablets to prepare your uterus, have your immature eggs retrieved, have them matured in the lab, fertilized, and transferred back into your uterus within a few days. If assigned to the standard IVF group, you will receive daily hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries, have mature eggs retrieved and fertilized, have the resulting embryos frozen, and then later have one thawed and transferred after your uterus is prepared. Both groups will take hormone support after transfer and have pregnancy tests 10–14 days later. The study will follow you through pregnancy and birth to compare how well each approach works.

Two fertility approaches for women with PCOS: fresh versus frozen embryo transfer

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)