Long protocol vs short?

[Niki_B]

Hey lovely ladies. Was just wondering if someone can explain to me the difference in long protocol and short? My first round was short protocol, and here in New Zealand I don't think they have a long protocol? Or maybe they do but itnwas never discussed with me, and nobody I know here has had it. And my next round in a September will be same again short protocol. Just wondering what the benefits or reasons for long protocol? Thank you, and best wishes for wherever you are in your journeys 😊 xx

[jacki81]

Hi Niki, I just posted the same question! So I can’t help unfortunately but I’m following to see what people say

[Sarah_S]

I had 3 cycles of long protocol, then one short protocol, which was the one which finally worked for me. I think long protocol generally produces more eggs, but is more forced (higher dose drugs, more stress on your body, and higher risk of OHSS), so sometimes the quality suffers. Short protocol is supposedly better for quality. Seems like a bit of an unproven science - some clinics start with long and some start with short! Might depend on your individual circumstances too. Depending on your response they then may change you to the other one if you need further cycles x

[Niki_B in reply to Sarah_S]

Thanks for your reply. Well I had no trouble with eggs they got 15 from me and 14 were mature/viable....11 fertilized. I think it was more quality...as only 1 good one for transfer and NONE to freeze and yeah obviously was a BFN. They don't know if it's my eggs or partners sperm as he has low count and motility I think too. Well I've just started taking coq10 and have my partner on a good multivitamin for the swimmers so hopefully that helps 😊 oh and congrats on your pregnancy is it going well? 😃 x

[Sarah_S in reply to Niki_B]

Oh ok, it doesn't sound like long protocol would suit you anyway then. I have low reserve and never produced more than 5 eggs on my long cycles. I started taking DHEA, reduced some stress in my life, then had short cycle and got 6 eggs, and better quality. I had 2 transferred and I'm now nearly 16 weeks with one and feeling extremely blessed after our long journey. All the very best of luck to you xx

[Niki_B]

Omg mish you wrote that!! That was friggin awesome and had me LOLing 😂 wow so well written man where was this before my first round?! So well written...even tho things are just slightly different here in New Zealand but wow your good. You need to write some books...would love to read some for my round 2 please 😉😁 you should share this in forum again if you haven't already so much more light hearted than anything else I've ever read. Thank you your awesome 😃😉🙌🙌😘😘