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Guideline on Ovarian Stimulation for IVF/ICSI

Ovarian StimulationThe aim of the ovarian stimulation guideline is to provide clinicians with evidence-based information on the different options for ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI, taking into account issues such as the ‘optimal’ ovarian response, live birth rates, safety, patient compliance, and individualisation. Special attention has also been given to pre- and adjuvant treatments in low responders and the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high responders.

The guideline provides recommendations on all steps of ovarian stimulation: pre-stimulation management, pituitary suppression and gonadotropin stimulation, monitoring during ovarian stimulation, triggering of final oocyte maturation and luteal support and the prevention of OHSS.

As an update to the original guideline published in 2019, it contains one new key question, and the key question on fertility preservation has been split into three parts, to reflect the best available evidence on fertility preservation for women facing gonadotoxic treatment, elective oocyte cryopreservation or oocyte donation.

In addition, several new interventions were added to the existing key questions.

Overall, these changes resulted in 46 new recommendations. Twenty-nine recommendations were updated based on new evidence, and four recommendations were reworded to improve understanding.  

Read the guideline here (pdf)


Guideline Development Group

Meet the group who developed the ESHRE Guideline on Ovarian Stimulation.

OS Guideline Working Group 2025



Read full guideline

Download guideline

Watch the introduction

Flowchart general population

Flowchart fertility preservation

Guideline OS flowchart