Long and short protocol

[Aimaim77]

Hi please can someone explain the long and short protocol . Which is best . Are there different meds ? What's the difference in time scale ? Thank you.

[Madcatlady55]

The long protocol is used for ladies with either an irregular or non-existant cycle. They put you onto the contraceptive pill to get you to bleed properly, as all IVF treatment is timed with your natural cycle. If you have regular periods you don't need this bit and start down regging during your normal cycle.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Aimaim77. There are usually two ways of performing an IVF cycle. The most popular one is a “long protocol”. This is usually started on day 1 or day 21 of your cycle, when you start taking the down regulation drug. Blood hormones are usually checked 10-14 days after the start of treatment to see whether you are ready for the stimulating drugs.

The second way is through a “short protocol”. There is no down regulation and starts at the beginning of your period on day 1. The FSH, LH, oestradiol and prolactin levels are checked at the beginning, to see if OK to start the stimulating drugs. Obviously, if the FSH was raised, then you are less likely to stimulate well and the cycle most probably would be abandoned that time round. You may have to on a contraceptive pill to regulate your cycle, if it is irregular. Of course will need to discuss all options further with your clinic/consultant to see which method will suit you. Hope this helps. Diane