Me getting confused again

[Janer85]

Hey everyone, just reading up on short protocol as I've been told that's what I'm going to be on, they did say I will be down regulating and then depending on how long paper work etc will take then maybe hopefully start injections just before or just after Xmas, but with just reading up when u down regulate isn't that on the long protocol??? Xxx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Janer85. A short protocol is often recommended if the ovarian reserve is a bit on the low side, so as to not “switch off” the ovaries too much. However, this is not always the case, and can be just down to clinic preference. It is not only shorter but much less stressful on the body - no nasty side effects normally associated with down regulating. Because of this the drugs are cheaper also. The basis of this short protocol – sometimes called an antagonist or mild, IVF - is that you start straight away with the stimulating drugs a couple of days into your own cycle and then a week or so in, add a down-regulation drug to prevent natural ovulation. You would then most likely have regular scans, and possible blood tests every couple of days or so, for a few days until your womb lining is a good thickness and a good number of follicles are the right size. Once you have a few the right size egg collection goes ahead and they are then fertilised. Obviously clinics vary from how they do their cycles, but this is a general idea. Good luck with it all! Diane.

[Janer85 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thankyou, it makes more sense now xxx