NEWS BRIEFING: Most IVF 'add-ons' don't work or lack evidence

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-06-24 08:30

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**BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE** Most IVF 'add-ons' either show no fertility benefit or lack evidence that they work, according to Australian-led research being published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health. Over the last decade, people using IVF have been offered extra procedures such as acupuncture, steroids, and plasma injections, to try to increase the chances of pregnancy, often adding thousands of dollars to the cost of IVF. The researchers analysed the evidence behind ten common IVF add-ons and found most don't live up to the hype - either having no evidence they work or weak evidence at best. The team have also developed an evidence-based IVF website to help people make decisions about using IVF add-ons. The briefing will bring together the researchers behind this analysis.

News release

From: Australian Science Media Centre

Most IVF 'add-ons' either show no fertility benefit or lack evidence that they work, according to Australian-led research being published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health.

Over the last decade, people using IVF have been offered extra procedures such as acupuncture, steroids, and plasma injections, to try to increase the chances of pregnancy, often adding thousands of dollars to the cost of IVF.

The researchers analysed the evidence behind ten common IVF add-ons and found most don't live up to the hype - either having no evidence they work or weak evidence at best.

The team have also developed an evidence-based IVF website to help people make decisions about using IVF add-ons.

The briefing will bring together the researchers behind this analysis.

Speakers:

Dr Sarah Lensen is a Senior Research Fellow in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health at the University of Melbourne.
Dr Rui Wang is a Reproductive Epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney.

Date: Tue 23 June 2026
Start Time: 10:00 am AEDT
Duration: Approx 45 min
Venue: Online - Zoom

Multimedia

Dr Sarah Lenson

Attachments

Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.

Research The Lancet, Web page Paper 1 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Research The Lancet, Web page Paper 2 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Journal/
conference: The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health

Organisation/s: The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, IVFAustralia, The University of New South Wales, Monash IVF, Bond University, University of Auckland

Funder: The studies were funded by the University of Melbourne and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

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