What is the INVOcell® procedure?
INVOcell®, sometimes called a vaginal incubator, is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared fertility treatment that uses a person’s vagina to develop an embryo. Unlike in vitro fertilization (IVF), where incubation occurs in a laboratory, INVOcell uses intravaginal culture (IVC) to grow an embryo.
Our fertility and reproductive care specialists place your eggs, sperm from your partner or donor, and culture fluid in a small capsule-like device about the size of a walnut. Then, your doctor inserts the device into your vagina. It stays there for several days while the embryos form. We remove developed embryos from the device and place one or more of them in your uterus so they can continue to grow.
Simpler and less expensive than IVF, the INVOcell procedure is a popular alternative to traditional IVF.
Who is a candidate for INVOcell?
Reproductive endocrinology at Penn Medicine often recommends INVOcell as an alternative to IUI or IVF. Many individuals and couples choose INVOcell for its benefits, such as cost savings or feelings of increased connection to the fertilization process.
Ideal candidates for INVOcell are individuals under age 38 with:
- Body mass index (BMI) less than 35
- Good quality eggs
- Ovulation problems or unexplained fertility
What to expect during INVOcell
You and your fertility doctor will decide if INVOcell is right for you. INVOcell procedure steps include:
You receive medication at the beginning of your menstrual cycle to help your body produce eggs. Because INVOcell requires fewer eggs, you take less hormone medication compared to traditional IVF.
We use ultrasound and lab tests to determine when your eggs are ready for retrieval. Before the procedure, we give you medication so that you’ll sleep lightly and won’t feel any pain.
Your doctor guides a tiny needle through your vagina and into your ovaries. They use the needle to draw out one egg at a time. We need fewer than 10 eggs to proceed with INVOcell.
Your doctor puts the egg, sperm, and culture fluid into the INVOcell device. The sperm can come from your partner or a donor. It can also be fresh or frozen.
In some circumstances, your provider may recommend intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) before placing the egg in the INVOcell device. ICSI may increase the chance of fertilization.
Once we’ve filled the small INVOcell capsule with your eggs and your partner’s or donor’s sperm, your doctor gently places the capsule in your vagina. You can go about your normal activities over the next several days. Most people experience little to no discomfort with the INVOcell device in their vagina.
After three to five days, we remove the INVOcell capsule and look at the developed embryos under a microscope. We choose a high-quality embryo and place it in your uterus, where it continues to grow. Talk to your doctor if you’d like to transfer more than one embryo.
The INVOcell incubation process may produce several healthy embryos. You may freeze the embryos and use them for a future transfer.
Recovery from the INVOcell procedure
There’s no recovery time associated with the INVOcell procedure. While INVOcell is in your vagina, you should avoid:
- Hot baths or saunas
- Inserting anything into your vagina
- Intercourse
- Strenuous activity
- Swimming
Two weeks after the embryo transfer, you may take a pregnancy test. Your doctor may ask you to return to the clinic for a blood test to confirm the pregnancy.
How successful is INVOcell?
Success rates of INVOcell are similar to IVF and higher than intrauterine insemination (IUI). Penn Medicine fertility experts help you decide which treatment is right for you based on your healthy history and personal risk factors.
What does INVOcell cost?
The cost of the INVOcell treatment varies depending on your specific needs, which you’ll discuss with your doctor. Typically, INVOcell costs about 50 percent less than traditional IVF. The procedure has reduced lab expenses since incubation happens inside a person’s vagina instead of in a laboratory.
We know the cost of fertility treatments like INVOcell can be daunting since many health plans don’t cover these procedures. A Penn Medicine financial advocate can help you explore options and discover resources to help you pay for fertility care.
Pioneers of INVOcell at Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine was one of the first fertility practices in the region to offer this innovative, FDA-cleared fertility treatment. Since introducing INVOcell in 2018, we’ve helped many individuals and couples start and grow their families with the procedure.
Our fertility care providers have expertise in the INVOcell procedure and other fertility treatments. They help you navigate your options and choose which offers you the highest chance of becoming pregnant.