A hormone therapy commonly offered to IVF patients to improve chances of pregnancy is really a waste of time, a latest evidence review mentions.
Injecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) into a woman’s uterus before embryo transfer does not increase rates of either pregnancy or live births, researchers of the University of Sydney recently mentioned in the news published on April 20, 2026.
For patients and clinicians, the message is clear. This “add-on” does not boost fertility outcomes, a senior research fellow at the University of Sydney stated. This hormone should not be routinely offered as part of IVF treatment. The hormone method is used worldwide, including in the United States, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia.
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For the new review, experts pooled data from seven prior trials of the treatment involving 2,244 IVF patients. The team looked at the results for the patients themselves, rather than the outcomes published for each clinical trial. The results showed that, regardless of patient type, the hormone treatment did not increase the rate of pregnancy or live births.
According to an expert at Mayo Clinic, the process is relatively inexpensive compared to the overall cost of IVF. Still, even though it is cheap, patients should not be offered a therapy that fails to work. According to him, several IVF add-ons look promising on paper because previous studies report benefits. But if those studies are flawed or unverified, patients may be making decisions based on the evidence that does not hold up.
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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.