So I have been off the forum for a couple if weeks after our first cycle failed, its been tougher than i imagined. Our issues were male factor after hubbys VR. We had 16 eggs, 8 fertilised and 1 early blast transferred.
I have spent weeks lecturing the OH about diet, ordered him new suppliments to improve our embrio quality. I was gobsmacked to be told the issue was egg quality. I am 36 and my AMH is 32. However, i was told that i did overstimulate which is why i couldn't walk after EC. My ovaries did not like the menopur and apparently this affects the quality as they spent days trying to reign back my ovaries? But I don't necessarily produce poor quality eggs 🤷♀️ my stats dont tie in with poor quality apparently.
So in the new year we can start again but change to long protocol. I wondered if anyone else had an experience like this, its just not what I was expecting. I take metformin as i have elements of PCOS but very mild. Feeling very confused but strangely relieved that the sperm was ok.
Hello. I have high AMH at 36 and I’m 32. I’m also shocked that our embryos were low quality and I’m now thinking it’s due to egg quality. I also have pcos! I honestly don’t have any answers as I have no idea how to improve egg quality or even if it’s
Hi, yes short. He said that the protocol was what caused the poor quality and that changing it should show better results. He said poor quality is only usually an issue with low amh etc. He has recommended i take proxeed for women so im ordering that tonight, he wasnt too pushy with it but said it may help. He didnt see me as having an issue with poor eggs generally but all down to the protocol and how i responded to stimulation. Have you had a follow up appointment?
He said exactly that, luck. 2ww is torture but dont take advice from me because you are still in with a great chance, try and relax and keep positive xx
Hi I am 33 and had an Amh of 18 so lower than yours but clinic class as normal. I have had 5 rounds and each have been different. Rounds 1-3 only one blastocyst moved clinics after they gave no answers. New clinic said although it’s male factor they questioned my egg quality but advised to do another round. Round 4 day 2 transfer but round 5 I got 2 blastocysts transferred and one frozen. I just think it’s all luck to be honest xx
in reply to
Thank you. He did say we had been unlucky this cycle. Did you change protocol in any if those cycles?
in reply to
All 5 rounds have been long protocol just different meds. I wish you lots of luck for your next round sounds like you have a good clinic who are keen to try different things xx
in reply to
Thank you xx
I had exactly the same results as you - 14 eggs, 7 fertilised, 1 early blast.
I am also 36.
I was also told I have poor quality eggs and for my next cycle I will be on a milder dose...
...but, I have also been told the issue is sperm fragmentation, not egg quality.
Each doctor has a different theory, but they can’t know for sure.
Have you tested for tested for sperm fragmentation?
Xx
in reply to
Hi, the consultant did say that some people may disagree with his theory but he said the fertilisation was strong. He showed me the results from each day of stims and my levels started shooting up after a few days and were double what they should be on the last day, i took from it that the eggs has been forced too quickly. I do hope he is right as that sounds fixable. My husband had a successful VR which later caused issues with count as scarring occured, ge has 2 children from a previous relationship so he wasnt concerned. I'm not sure really but hoping the change in protocol is the answer x
I was in a different boat, low amh but also questionable egg quality. We changed from short protocol to long protocol and it worked for us, so I do think a change in protocol can definitely give different results from cycle to cycle x
The protocols we are on can affect the eggs so badly and although they were deemed 'poor quality' it doesn't necessarily mean your eggs are poor overall. Getting the protocol right makes such a difference to the quality and maturity of the eggs, which can literally make or break a round.
Slight adjustments in our third round doubled the amount of eggs collected and fertilized for us, and resulted in a first positive. Each round is a learning curve for consultants as much as us, and hopefully it will all amount to a much better round next time. Just a shame it's not more straightforward! Good luck xx
Thank you that sounds really positive. My only real concern is that i over stimulated and ive read that short protocol reduces this risk. So if i am moved to long protocol am i a dead cert to get OHSS. I have to just trust my consultant, he seemed confident in how to turn it around xx
My consultant always recommended a long protocol as they felt they could control your ovaries better - and hopefully adjusting your protocol will minimize the risk of OHSS anyway. On my last round they picked up 20 eggs and I looked about 6 months pregnant and had mild OHSS. I wanted to stick a pin into my ribcage to let the air out and had to sleep on a pillow to support my tummy! God what we put ourselves through hey! xx
Well that sounds similar to my issue as my ovaries raced off. I had 18 eggs but 16 usable. I thought i was being dramatic with the symptoms because others seemed fine but didnt know i had over stimulated. Crazy road but hopefully it will all be worth it xx
Hi, on my first cycle I was 37, had AMH of 37 and was on menopur and cetrotide on short protocol. 11 eggs retrieved, 5 fertilised leading to one poor quality blastocyst which didn’t implant. At my review the consultant said would be too dangerous to switch to long protocol with such a high AMH and suggested just proceeding again with same protocol and same drugs and hoping for different results.
Fast forward 9 months, changed clinics, took lots of vitamins (in particular, ubiquinol), ate more healthily and did acupuncture. My AMH was 20 (I think it can vary between clinics) and I was on a short protocol with Gonal-f and buserelin. 9 eggs retrieved, 6 fertilised, 2 transferred and 4 in the freezer and one BFP!
I’ll never know what made the difference for me, but for some reason I think it was a change from menopur to gonal-f. I did some reading at the time and found out menopur just doesn’t suit some people.
Good luck x
Ah thank you for this. He did say my ovaries did not like the menopur. Its so nice hearing positive stories like yours xx
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Follow up appointment 
Tough follow up appointment after failed FET
Failed round follow up appointment 
Follow up appointment following miscarriage @6+3😖
Follow up appointment after first consultation NHS
