Short vs long protocol

[sharpy87]

Hi everyone,

Iv had 2 unsuccessful ICSI rounds.

1st we got only 1 good quality embryo with a day 2 transfer. 2nd we upped the menopur dose and got 6 poor quality embryos, with 2 early blasts transferred on day 5. Both on long protocol also using the pill before to regulate my cycles.

The clinic have suggested a short protocol next.

Has anyone got any experience of this?

Does a short protocol improve quality or quantity? Has the change in protocol helped anyone?

I have just turned 30 if that makes any difference.

Thanks 😊

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi sharpy87. 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. Hope that helps. I do have a list of questions I can send you to look through before you go back if you want. Too long to add here, but email me in confidence to [e-mail] and I will send them to you. Good luck! Diane

[sharpy87 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks for your reply. Do you know if a short protocol has an impact on quantity of embryos? Or does it effect the quality? 😊

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to sharpy87]

Hi sharpy87. Well, that's down to the quality of eggs that are collected, and fertilisation. However, I do believe that the eggs collected are not forced out so much, and maybe "want" to be extracted. Just less stress on the ovaries all round. My thoughts of course. Diane