Hello- I am 36 with low AMH and Antral Follicle count. Been TTC for a year and after initial fertility investigations have been recommended to start IVF ASAP due to age and low egg supply. Have my initial nurse consult and scan over the next 3 weeks. I am eligible for one round of IVF with the NHS and then it is on to private. Unfortunately due to my low numbers I am told I am unlikely to get many eggs and probably won't have any to freeze so will have to go private next year. Trying to remember it only takes one egg- staying hopeful!
Any encouraging stories from others with low AMH/AFC?
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Jane8412
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Hi, it's great you can start your treatment. I would recommend considering having acupuncture and/or ovarian PRP rejuvenation to improve your ovarian reserve. One friend of mine had it in Poland and got pregnant with own eggs. Good luck!
Hi- I appreciate the recommendation. I have been having acupuncture for a few months but I haven't heard of PRP rejuvenation. I will look into this. So many new things you discover on this journey that I didn't even know existed! Thanks x
Hello, I have a low AMH and was concerned about getting eggs too. I have done one fresh cycle and got 3 eggs. All 3 fertilised and made it to day 5. Unfortunately this cycle didn't work but was pleased to get some eggs. I was on a high does of the stimulating drugs and they did the trick! Good luck!!!
This is very encouraging! Thank you. I'm sorry to hear this cycle didn't work for you but so happy that all three of your eggs made it to day 5. Considering some people may get many eggs, but unfortunately none of them make it, then it really does show that quality over quantity can be the way to go for those of us with low AMH.
Hi Jane, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your low AMH/AFC. I just want to wish you lots of luck with your upcoming cycle. I was told to treat my first cycle as an investigation which would give us more insight into how my body responds to the drug protocol & give some insight into egg quality. It does indeed only take one good quality egg so do stay hopeful. That lucky egg might just be waiting to be retrieved! Here are a few websites you might find useful
Hi jengi- thank you for your kind welcome. That is a really positive way to look at it. No matter the result i will be in a more positive place than i was before i started the cycle. I will try go into this cycle very pragmatic but still hopeful! Thank you for those links. Both really useful. x
Welcome lovely. I would recommend a book called it all starts with the egg 🥚 Quite heavy but there’s some helpful stuff about the improving egg quality. Best of luck! Xx
I have the same low AFC at base count and low AMH found out last year at 35 (first round got 1 follicle which the cancelled as my funding allowed this to still count as one round and increased the meds once we could start again after lockdown. Been trying to get fitter and eat healthier for a while to try and help IVF (no carbs/processed food very little sugar - can’t give up a few cubes of chocolate! Eating lots of protein mainly meat and eggs and nuts and veg instead of fruit the type of stuff recommended in books) also took Ubiquinol for a few months before egg collection. Got 3 eggs (from 3 follicles ) one worked (currently 14 weeks) and one frozen. I felt so down beginning of Jan after all my jabs on long protocol with only one follicle but then stopped worrying about it. Also helped to have my next steps planned for paying for treatment and which clinic etc more natural IVF which has good results for low AMH focusing on quality. Helped me to take control of things like my diet and fitness as IVF does feel like a process where it’s not an exact science and you have to give yourself boosts where you can. All the best and even though it’s not the greatest news to have these results keep positive as it can work, wishing you all the very best.
Congratulations! So happy to hear you had success and even managed to freeze an egg. That's the dream. That is so encouraging! Sounds like you have really overhauled your diet and lifestyle. I have been making changes gradually all year. Been off caffeine for 3 months now which wasn't too hard but giving up alcohol seemed impossible, especially through lockdown. I started seeing a Naturopath recently and she said i had to eat well but was allowed to have some treats/exceptions (kind of an 80/20 thing) but i absolutely, under no circumstances, was allowed alcohol if I was planning to start IVF. I have been 4 weeks now without a drop which feels like quite an achievement. haha. Thank you
Aww thanks. I most definitely had to do it gradually!! Helped to see results with slimming down with a lot less effort, eating tasty whole food and experimenting with recipes - the more you enjoy your food the better. I’m a total chocolate/dessert fiend and allow myself a small amount. Sounds like you’ve done an amazing job with cutting out the alcohol and with your diet too. I think whatever you can do is worth it, but it’s not all in your control so not to be too hard on yourself too. Funny how you can be really proud of your small achievements but this whole journeys taught me not to take things for granted but also be willing to work hard and keep that hope alive. Had so many plan B’s and C’s which helped take the pressure off. IVF feels like milestones I didn’t realise I might not even make it to the first with egg collection so take every stage you pass as a victory and testament to your strength (giving up alcohol very much a massive step too!) Good luck with it all x
I hear you on the dessert front! I have cut down my daily treats to a small bit of dark chocolate but will treat myself to the occasional dessert/pudding/cake. Still need some excitement in my life! ha
I like the idea of the plan B's and C's to keep the pressure off. At the moment i am thinking I will do round one of IVF on the NHS and once i know how that goes and how my body reacts to then make a decision on further rounds. Options being staying with the same fertility clinic (they do private too), moving to another clinic that specialises in low AMH/milder IVF or long term option being looking into donor eggs. Just trying to keep an open mind and take each milestone as it comes like you said. Thank you x
Haha I agree - totally fine to keep that little something to look forward to 😋. It’s totally worth asking lots of questions and having that info to weigh things up. Sometimes plans change I was supposed to have a frozen transfer but given my low response and feeling absolutely fine went for fresh (asked and they were happy to go with it) so an open mind most definitely helps!
I was thinking that I need to keep the dessert levels up to maintain sufficient belly flab when it comes to injecting myself for IVF. Any excuse really.
That's a good point. I need to remember to ask for what I want and be my own advocate. I have no idea what kind of protocol they will put me on yet but I am pretty sure they want to go for a fresh transfer if I get any eggs fertilised. We shall see!
Hi Jane. I'm 38 TTC for 2 years and started fertility 2 cycles ago.
I have very low AMH, the NHS didn't even give me a chance and 1 clinic told me about egg donors during our first consultation, that was devastating.
We ended up in a very well known clinic a friend recommended. Our doctor was amazing and gave us hope, he was very straightforward in the sense that with my low AMH there was very little chance of success but I needed to be given the chance. So we went ahead with mild stimulation ( i have always been super healthy, and my cycle is like a Swiss clock) from that 1st cycle we collected 3 eggs, 2 fertilised and 1 was frozen on day 3 top quality.
Our doctor was ecstatic, as they didn't expect much.
We did a second cycle back to back, same protocol but this time I cut caffeine completely and no even sips of alcohol, had many many but many berries a day, ate super healthy, ate pretty much a Mediterranean diet, changed my milk to organic, rested lots, walk every day minimum1 hour, and did guided relaxations... I try not to read much about others people protocols, and always look for positive success stories. I really protect myself from negative thinking but I have done lots of therapy including hypnotherapy ( this has been life changing for me) and acupuncture!
Well we got 5 eggs, 5 fertilised and 5 made it to day 5 top quality!!! The 1 embryo from the 1st cycle didn't make it to day 5 but we have 5 top quality embryos.
I hope my story give you some hope and I know science and a good clinic is key for success but have a positive take on this, be kind to your mind and take good care of your body and mind.
I still have a long road ahead but I will cross that bridge when I get there. I celebrate every little victory and really take it day by day!
We are taking a break now and will start planning for transfer in the new year.
I wish you all the best, I know this process is tiring but by only taking care of our mind we will be overcome it!
Wow! 5 eggs to top quality is amazing. Really does show it is about quality over quantity and low AMH is not the devastating news it can feel like at the time.
Thank you for sharing your story. Very encouraging. I really appreciate what you say about taking care of body and mind. When I started out on this journey I didn't think about that at all and was just focused on so desperately wanting to be pregnant. Now i have taken a step back and started meditating daily which has really helped get in the right headspace. It is so easy to lose yourself in this process. Sounds like you have a really good attitude. I wish you all the best for the transfer in the new year! xx
Aww thanks! I forgot to say I have been taking a bunch of vitamins and supplements... vit E, prenatal, vit D, DHEA, Q10, bee pollen and resveratol. Only vit D, prenatal and DHEA were recommended by my doctor.
Thanks. I am on so many supplements right now. I started seeing a naturopath a month ago and she has me on a bunch of supplements after testing my hair for deficiencies. Obviously it is better to get nutrients from food but at least I know I am topping up all the things my body doesn't have enough of.
I've heard mixed things about DHEA but sounds like it has worked well for you! Did you have to have certain tests done first to see if you needed DHEA?
Hi Kio12, so lovely to hear such a positive story, well done on all the good stuff you focused on during that time too, its hard to stick to being so focused! Could I ask if this was 'embryo aggregation' and if so how long you waited for your second stimulation? Also, now you are having a break, is this with down regulating your ovaries or just generally giving yourself some time out? Any advice very welcomed thank you x
We didn't do embryo aggregation, my 2nd cycle was right after my 1st. I started taking Norestherone the day after my 1st egg collection and we did mild stimulation.
I'm giving my body a rest, we can't underestimate the work and effort our system goes through to grow all those extra eggs! So my instinct tells me rest and let all the hormones leave my system. My doctor agrees with it so I feel more at ease.
Hope that helps you! But ask anything you feel like.. 🤗
Thanks so much for your response, it sounds like you are really listening to your own body and taking good decisions for yourself, I think we can get caught up in what everyone else is doing and what were told and it can be hard to take a step back and just assess whats right for us, well done you, thats hard to do! I'll keep all that in mind x
Thank you just discovered this site and think it will be great for support and understanding what others are going through and that its often similar! Take good care x
I've read that if deficient DHEA supplements can work wonders but some people that take DHEA end up with too much in their system which can affect egg quality which is why I was a bit wary of it. You can't get it in the UK without a prescription so i guess if a doctor is telling you to take it they must know you need it. I think in the US you can get it over the counter without a prescription.
Sounds like you're taking the right amount for you. I think it is really important to trust your gut sometimes! Doctors are very knowledgeable but sometimes you have to listen to your own body too.
I totally agree! All the best with your treatment and please contact me if you have any questions, not that I'man expert but someone in the e boat as you makes the journeya little bit easier! 🤗
I went into my first round with cautious optimism - but prepared to not respond to well and thinking it's a way to see how your body responds to the drugs. One Dr told me not to worry about amh it's just a way to guide the drugs you are given, but to crack on with IVF straight away. There's definitely a couple of approaches high or low stimulation for low amh/AFC and max menopur worked for me at FSH 14 Amh 0.8 and AFC I think a few on each side I can't remember. Ive got a 6 month baby girl and 2 in the freezer. It is possible. All the best with your round! I also had acupuncture and cut to one coffee a day, took Q10, vit d and iron, folic acid. Good luck!!
Congratulations. That is so nice to hear. I guess we are all different and I won't know how I will respond to the treatment until I get started. It's so nice to hear positive stories from others. Just what I need to get me in the right frame of mind to start treatment.
I’ve got low AMH and low follicle count. We went private for our first round of IVF - nothing to freeze but put two embryos back and I’m 5 weeks pregnant today!
Hi ladies. Sorry I'm newbie here. Wow so many positivity on this forum. A huge congratulations to those who have concieved and all the best who are ttc..hopefully we will get there too.
I have posted new topic "OMG IVE BEEN TOLD IM MENOPAUSAL"
So here's alittle about myself if you haven't read that one
I'm 43 years old ttc 2. I haven't had any periods since over a year. I did a private scan last year who told me I have one follicle remaining which is just there..not growing or anything. I have high fsh and low amh levels hence the Dr saying I'm menopausal but the strange thing is I have not had any symptoms at all apart from no periods. Just to ask can your follicles change from month to month even though I'm not menstruating. I do feel like I am ovulating. I am taking loads of supplements and I'm doing reflexology once a week. I'm thinking of trying acupuncture too.
Is there anyone similar to me or can offer me advice.
Hi Jane, I just wanted to write as I have also been diagnosed with low amh and afc. It's heartbreaking but like you said have to stay positive. I am still waiting for my basal scan which is in two weeks. Can I ask where you do acupuncture?
Hi nT455 Sounds like we are in the same boat. Going off the positive responses I have had from numerous ladies above there is a lot of hope for us. I have a baseline scan booked for second week of November. Hopeful that everything will be looking good then and I can start IVF.
I used google to find an acupuncture lady down the road from me in London who i started seeing beginning of the year before Corona kicked off. She was really helpful with making me realise i needed to slow my life down and stop doing so much and also start taking care of myself better (especially diet). Not sure whether the acupuncture itself makes any difference but I do find it very relaxing which is important in these stressful times! Have you had any acupuncture?
Hi Jane, yes I think de-stressing will be important. I never used to stress this much but with these news and work being particular stressful at the moment I am feeling that even minor things can stress me. I turned 38 this year. I haven't found anyone but will try and find a local one. Wish you all the best and hope the scan goes well!
I feel your pain. It’s pretty much the most stressful thing I have ever been through. It’s hard to keep things in perspective but I think it’s important to make time for yourself each day. I was never into meditation and thought it was all a bit woo-woo for me but I’ve started doing 15 mins a day and it has really helped. Thanks for your kind thoughts. Good luck for your scan too! X
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