Published in The Cochrane Library, an organized study found no convincing evidence to support the routine use of aspirin in women being treated for IVF. Taking aspirin during an IVF cycle did not appear to improve the chances of becoming pregnant, researchers reported.

IVF treatment combined with the use of aspirin is controversial. Part of the theory behind any potential benefit is that it may enhance blood flow to the womb and ovaries. Yet miscarriage or complications may be caused due to taking aspirin are also concerns.

The recent study is an update of a Cochrane Systematic Review published in 2007. Evidence from new trials was added by investigators giving a total of 13 that involved 2,653 women altogether. The women were all undergoing IVF and in several cases, aspirin was taken as a 100mg dose once daily. While one large study indicated some benefit linked with taking aspirin, the overall conclusion according to the investigators suggested, that there was no evidence aspirin would increase chances of conceiving compared to placebo. They point out, that large trials would now be needed to prove beneficial effects to change these conclusions.

Lead researcher Charalambos Siristatidis of the Assisted Reproduction Unit at the University of Athens in Greece said,

“Couples undergoing IVF often feel so desperate that they are prepared to try anything that may improve their chances of conceiving.”

Given the current evidence, there is still no basis to recommend women taking aspirin in order to help them conceive.

Investigators initially looked for trials that measured live births as effectiveness. Yet, only three reported this information. Instead, the majority of studies reported pregnancies and the number of women who became pregnant in the group given aspirin was almost the equivalent as the group given placebos.

Siristatidis explained, “It was disappointing to see that so few of the studies reported live birth rate as this is ultimately the outcome all couples undergoing IVF are interested in.

The lack of information on miscarriage rate is also concerning given previous studies that have linked higher doses of aspirin to miscarriage.”

Written by Grace Rattue