New Study Highlights Strong Outcomes for Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) in Infertility Treatment
13 November 2025
A large five-year study from a specialized fertility clinic in Spain has delivered promising results for Natural Procreative Technology (NaProTechnology or NPT). The study, published in Frontiers in Reproductive Health, evaluates the live birth rate in 1,310 couples with infertility treated at the Fertilitas medical centre.
The research team, led by Dr. José Ignacio Sánchez Méndez invite members to discuss their findings at IIRRM’s Grand Rounds on January 29, 2026. The webinar will be bilingual, presented in both Spanish and English.
Key Findings
- Population: 1,310 infertile couples treated between November 2018 and December 2023
- Crude Take-Home Baby (THB) Rate: 35.3%
- Adjusted Cumulative THB Rate: 62.1% (83.7% for women under 30)
- Multifactorial Insights: Average of 2.5 diagnoses per couple
- Most common diagnoses: Luteal phase defects, endometriosis, male factor infertility.
- Surgical support: 30.6% of women underwent restorative procedures such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy.
- Diagnostic success: Causes of infertility were identified in 98.1% of couples—compared to ~67% in ART-based protocols.
Why It Matters
This is the largest NPT cohort study to date with encouraging results, including in couples with prior ART failure or advanced maternal age. The focus on identifying underlying causes, restoring natural fertility, and individualized treatment plans highlights its role in restorative reproductive medicine (RRM). Idiopathic ( or “unexplained”) infertility was reduced to <2%.
Comparison with Other NPT Studies
| Study | Couples | Adjusted Pregnancy Rate | Crude Rate | Prior ART (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sánchez-Méndez (2025) | 1,310 | 62.1% | 35.3% | 27.5% |
| Tham (2012, Canada) | 108 | 65.7% | 38.0% | 30.5% |
| Stanford (2008, Ireland) | 1,072 | 52.8% | 25.5% | 33% |
| Boyle (2018, Ireland) | 403 | 32.1% | 18.4% | 100% |
| Stanford (2022, iNEST multicenter) | 834 | — | 44.2% | 21.4% |
[See Table 4, page 10 of the article for detailed breakdown]
Clinical Implications
This was a retrospective, single-center cohort without a control group and authors emphasize cautious interpretation of results along with the need for prospective research in the area of RRM. The large sample size and real-world setting is encouraging and supports NPT as an option within fertility care—especially in the context of RRM.
The study reported a relatively high dropout rate of 41.5% overall, with 31.1% leaving within the first year. However, similar dropout rates (45%–69%) are seen in ART programs, often due to emotional or financial strain, and is also comparable to those seen in other RRM studies. The authors estimate that if couples had completed the full course of treatment, an adjusted THB rate of 62.1% could have been achieved. More than 6 in 10 couples who remained in the program long enough successfully conceived—even among those with prior ART failures. The study notes future research could look to “investigate reasons for treatment discontinuation, and develop strategies to reduce early withdrawal.”
About one-third of patients in the study required surgery, most commonly hysteroscopy or laparoscopy. Many saw symptom improvement, and one in four achieved a successful pregnancy. However, limited access to skilled surgeons in these techniques remains a barrier in many regions emphasizing the need for more resources and training.
Full Article:
Sánchez-Méndez JI, Lombarte M, Abengózar-Muela R, et al. Natural procreative technology (NaProTechnology) for infertility: take-home baby rate and clinical outcomes in a 5-year single-center cohort of 1,310 couples. Front Reprod Health. 2025;7:1696679. Published 2025 Nov 14. doi:10.3389/frph.2025.1696679