Short or long protocol I'm so confused!

[hifer]

Hi,

I'm really confused about short and long protocols. Different fertility specialists are telling me different things. My old clinic said that I should go on the long protocol and we were set to do that before (to cut a long story short) we changed clinics. I will now be put on the short protocol as I'm not even sure my new clinic offers a long protocol. This is standard procedure for them and their preferred method. Previously I have been told that it depends on the patient but I'm now wondering if it actually just depends on the clinic?!!

As an aside I'm really happy with the new clinic so do trust them but confused as to how things can vary so much?! Any advice much appreciated or anyone else got a clinic that prefers short protocol?

Thank you

[Jenjen84]

Hello,

I’ve had 2 fresh cycles so far, long and short.. My long cycle, my AMH was 22 and I got 17 eggs, 13 fertilised, 4 made it to blasto, BFN.. Just recently I had a short protocol, AMH dropped to 9.6, got 16 eggs, 14 fertilised, 7 made it to blasto, BFP.. For me, the short protocol was so much easier at the time as less time on meds and the whole cycle, start to test date was about a month.. I think it’s meant to be easier on your body as you don’t completely shut down your natural cycle, instead it just stops ovulation.. My clinic went with my request to try a different protocol, I think they probably would have put me on long unless I asked.. I also stimmed really well, only needing one post stim scan.. Everyone is different but its definitely worked out so far for me.. 🤞🏻

The very best of luck for your up and coming cycle xxx

[hifer in reply to Jenjen84]

Amazing thanks so much for sharing. It definitely sounds better. I’m just wondering why I was advised to go on the long protocol at my last clinic. Think just different clinic, different ways of doing things?! Amazing news for you and I wish you all the very best for your pregnancy xx

[Hidden]

Hi. I think it is really individual and there is a bit of trial and error whilst the clinic finds the best protocol for you.

I actually had the opposite experience.

The short protocol is definitely easier and quicker, but I had fewer follicles and they were all different sizes.

On the long protocol I had more follicles - actually the same amount of eggs collected though, but all they grew at the same rate and more fertilised and more reached blastocyst stage. So for me the long protocol was better. Even though it goes on forever and I did feel a bit rough going through it.

Sorry for the ramble - but essentially I don’t think there is a better or worse, it’s figuring out what your body responds to!

Good luck with it all x