A one-hour mouth swab may make IVF more successful—here’s what hopeful parents should know
Canva / Motherly
A recent study from Lund University has found that a quick, non-invasive mouth swab could help doctors personalize hormone treatments for IVF.
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For many families, IVF is a journey filled with unknowns—and often, heartbreak. The physical toll, the emotional rollercoaster, and the financial cost can be overwhelming. But new research from Sweden offers a glimmer of hope, introducing a simple tool that could make this process more effective—and a little gentler.
A recent study from Lund University has found that a quick, non-invasive mouth swab could help doctors personalize hormone treatments for IVF, potentially boosting success rates by up to 38%. That could mean 110 more babies born for every 1,000 women treated—offering not just data, but dreams made real.
Why the right hormone matters
IVF, or in vitro fertilization, involves stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs, which are then retrieved, fertilized, and implanted into the uterus. It sounds straightforward—but anyone who has walked this road knows how complex it really is. One of the biggest challenges? Finding the right hormone treatment for each woman’s unique biology.
Hormone treatments are used to help eggs mature before retrieval. But not all women respond the same way. And when the hormones aren’t the right fit, the chances of a successful pregnancy drop, and side effects rise.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, while IVF births are on the rise in the U.S.—with more than 95,000 babies born via IVF in 2023—up to 75% of IVF cycles still end in failure. That’s a staggering statistic, and one that researchers have been working to change.
The role of genetics—and a tiny swab
The Lund University study looked at the genetic data of 1,466 women undergoing IVF at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden. They discovered that a woman’s genes can actually predict how well she’ll respond to different hormone treatments.
One gene in particular—the FSHR gene, which plays a key role in egg maturation—was found to influence outcomes. Women with a certain variation in this gene did better with biological hormones, while those without it had better results with synthetic ones.
This led researchers to create a test: a simple mouth swab that analyzes these genetic markers and gives a clear result in just one hour. The test uses colors—pink or yellow—to indicate the most suitable hormone treatment.
The potential to change lives
For families struggling with infertility, this development could be life-changing. Matching treatment to genetics helped increase IVF success by 38%. That’s not just a number—it’s more babies, more happy endings, and fewer cycles of emotional and physical strain.
“Our hope is that this will reduce the risk of suffering for women, increase the number of successful treatments and cut costs for taxpayers,” said Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman, CEO of the company developing the test.
Related: Why we need National Infertility Awareness Week more than ever
What this means for you
If you’re considering IVF—or supporting someone who is—this new swab test might be a key part of the journey in the near future. It’s expected to be available by 2026, and could become a standard part of IVF preparation, helping doctors offer more tailored and compassionate care.
It’s a step forward that doesn’t just bring new science—it brings new hope. And for every parent holding on to the dream of a child, that hope means everything.
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