POSEIDON Criteria ∞ Area

POSEIDON Criteria

Meaning

The POSEIDON Criteria represent a standardized classification system designed to categorize patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies, specifically in vitro fertilization, who exhibit a suboptimal or unexpected ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation. This system aims to move beyond a simplistic definition of “poor responders” by considering a patient’s age, ovarian reserve markers like Anti-Müllerian Hormone and Antral Follicle Count, and the outcome of any previous stimulation cycles, thereby enabling a more nuanced clinical assessment.

Context

Within the intricate landscape of reproductive endocrinology, the POSEIDON Criteria operate primarily in the clinical setting of fertility treatment, specifically concerning the female reproductive system’s capacity to produce a sufficient number of oocytes during ovarian stimulation. These criteria serve as a framework for clinicians to better understand and manage the variability in ovarian response among individuals, particularly those who may not achieve the desired follicular development or oocyte yield despite standard stimulation protocols.

Significance

The practical importance of the POSEIDON Criteria in a clinical setting is substantial, as they facilitate improved patient stratification and guide the development of individualized ovarian stimulation protocols, which is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes. By providing a more precise classification, these criteria assist in distinguishing patients with genuinely diminished ovarian reserve from those with an unexpected poor response, thereby influencing treatment strategies and potentially enhancing live birth rates while minimizing patient distress from unsuccessful cycles.

Mechanism

The POSEIDON Criteria do not describe a biological pathway but rather establish a systematic clinical approach by categorizing patients into four distinct groups based on specific prognostic factors. This categorization mechanism allows for the selection of tailored stimulation protocols, including adjustments in gonadotropin dosage and the use of adjunctive therapies, to potentially overcome the physiological challenges associated with suboptimal ovarian response and improve the retrieval of viable oocytes.

Application

In clinical practice, the POSEIDON Criteria are applied during the initial consultation and planning phases of an IVF cycle. Fertility specialists assess a patient’s age, baseline Anti-Müllerian Hormone levels, Antral Follicle Count, and any history of prior IVF cycle outcomes to assign them to a specific POSEIDON group. This classification then informs the selection of the most appropriate controlled ovarian stimulation protocol, aiming to maximize the chances of successful oocyte retrieval and subsequent embryo development for the individual patient.

Metric

The definition and application of the POSEIDON Criteria rely on several key metrics, including patient age, serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels, and transvaginal ultrasound assessment of Antral Follicle Count (AFC). Additionally, for patients with a history of prior IVF attempts, the number of oocytes retrieved in previous cycles serves as a critical metric for classification. Clinical success, in turn, is monitored by the number of oocytes obtained, embryo quality, and ultimately, pregnancy and live birth rates.

Risk

While the POSEIDON Criteria are a valuable clinical tool, their improper application or misinterpretation can lead to suboptimal patient management. Misclassifying a patient might result in an inappropriate stimulation protocol, potentially yielding a low number of oocytes, increasing the risk of cycle cancellation, or reducing the overall success rate of the IVF procedure. Such outcomes can contribute to significant emotional burden and financial strain for individuals undergoing fertility treatment, underscoring the necessity of expert clinical supervision and precise assessment.

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Can Low-Dose Testosterone Improve IVF Outcomes for Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve?

Low-dose testosterone may enhance follicular response to stimulation, potentially improving IVF success rates for women with low ovarian reserve.

∞ Diminished Ovarian Reserve
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HRTioJuly 26, 2025

POSEIDON Criteria

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

Can Low-Dose Testosterone Improve IVF Outcomes for Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve?

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