Fertility Decoded

Growth hormone (adjuvant)

Injected growth hormone added to stimulation, aimed at poor responders.

The verdict

Not shown to improve your chance of a baby, including for poor responders.

Evidence positions on Growth hormone (adjuvant) from HFEA, ESHRE, NICE and ISAR
BodyPosition
HFEA
  • Not on HFEA's rated listfor chance of a baby
ESHRENot recommended (research only)

Not recommended (grouped with ovarian-stimulation add-ons).

Source
NICENot addressed

Not addressed in NG257.

ISARNo position

Not addressed in the 2021 ISAR add-ons consensus.

Cochrane evidence base

Cochrane (2021): very uncertain effect on live birth; the largest RCT (2025) concluded empirical GH use in IVF does not improve live birth.

In India

Adds notable drug cost (growth hormone is expensive); varies widely.

Sources

Take this further

Last reviewed .