A simple oral swab test could improve IVF success rates by 38% — ‘There is an over-reliance on IVF treatments’ 

A new study from Lund University sheds light on a promising way to improve IVF success rates using a simple oral swab genetic test. This breakthrough challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to hormone treatment in IVF, offering a more personalized method that could benefit many couples struggling to conceive.

The study involved 1,466 women undergoing IVF treatment, analyzing their genetic profiles to determine which type of hormone therapy — biological or synthetic — would yield the best results. 

The researchers found that matching hormone treatment to a woman’s genetic variation increased pregnancy and live birth rates by 38%. The team has now developed a quick and easy oral swab test that can guide this personalized approach, potentially reducing failed IVF attempts and serious side effects.

As Ida Hjelmér, PhD and laboratory researcher at Lund University and first author of the study, explains, ‘There is an over-reliance on IVF treatments. Around 75 per cent of all attempts fail and up to 20 per cent of women experience side effects, some serious enough to require emergency treatment. The choice of hormone therapy is a contributing factor, and a major challenge is that healthcare today, to some extent has to guess which treatment is best for the woman.’

The researchers have developed a color-based oral swab test to determine the optimal hormone protocol, aiming to make it available by early 2026. It’s promising news for those navigating the emotional and physical toll of IVF—and we’re excited to see science move toward more personalized fertility care.

This study supports the idea that more tailored, precise care can improve outcomes and reduce risks. Natural fertility experts have long advocated for individualized approaches, and this new research feels like a validation that science is finally catching up.

For anyone on a fertility journey, this study offers hope that personalized testing may soon help make IVF safer and more effective. It’s a reminder that understanding your unique body can be a powerful step toward conception.

Reference:
Hjelmér, I., Nilsson, M., Henic, E., Jędrzejczak, P., Nenonen, H., Ozegowska, K., Giwercman, A., Laczna Kitlinski, M., & Lundberg Giwercman, Y. (2025). FSH receptor N680S genotype-guided gonadotropin choice increases cumulative pregnancy and live birth rates after in vitro fertilization. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1576090

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