How to increase number of follicles? Any advise? What worked?

[S2017]

Hi everyone,

I posted some time back as I was just starting IVF. I had a good AMH for my age (42) however my number of follicles when scanning the first time was 13 and the next time was 9.

The Dr. advised me to stop my IVF medication as he felt the follicle numbers were too low so we are going to try again in less than 2 weeks.

While I have read some online articles on healthy diets (there is a lot of info out there), I would also like to hear from anyone on what they believe actually worked to increase the number of follicles and hopefully keep them alive (not sure if this is the right term) until egg collection day.

Thank you all

[Ivfgotadream]

id discuss with your doctor why they felt the need to cancel when 9 is still a good number? For me the fewer the follicles the better the egg quality x

[S2017 in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Okay I will speak to him.. I was under the impression that starting with 9 would be too low as some then to 'die' along the way, but yes, will speak to him. Thanks.

[Daughterofaking in reply to S2017]

I did mild ivf that is I stim for 7 days. Had 9 eggs were collected from the 9 follicles, 6 fertilized and 5 blast. So I see no reason by he should cancel it. Like ivgotadream said the fewer the better.Thats waste of time. I wish you all the best. x

[S2017 in reply to Daughterofaking]

Hi,

Great, thank you for coming back to me. Feel better post this response, will take note. Seeing the Dr in about 2 weeks. Fingers crossed .. Xx

[Hidden]

Wow how odd, what country are you in?

I am 43, I have had between 6 and 15 follicles on my scans (worst round 6). some rounds we have collected more than we could see, others we have collected a lot less. But I have always been told 3 is the minimum number for progressing with a round.

Were the follicles shrinking? I guess that would be a different scenario - and that would suggest they havent got your drug regime right xx

[S2017 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Daisy,

I am in the UK. The first time around, at the start, I had 13 follicles, after day 7 of IVF medication, only had 6, so the Dr felt its best to stop. 2nd time around, didn't start any medication, but at the scan, I only had 9 follicles, 3 a good size, rest looked small (I don't know though if there were shrinking) so he mentioned that he will check in the next coming 2 weeks again to give me hopefully more chances of success.

Given that this is my first cycle, I don't have much experience with IVF and was wandering what others did to increase follicle number and size. I notice many seem to be getting a very different number each round (could be wrong, not sure).

I am paying for this privately so hopefully this won't run into many rounds as that would be emotionally and financially draining.

[Hidden in reply to S2017]

Without medication I tend to have 9 follicles but as I say I've had up to 15 once the drugs have started. There isnt really anything you can do (as I understand it) to increase the number of follicles. Its all down to what you have naturally. it does sound like the drugs were a bit wrong because follicles should definitely be growing not shrinking. I know its an absolute minefield on your first round and this site is full of good people with good advice. I have to admit I haven't heard this situation before. Normally I have a baseline scan before the drugs where they just look and check there are no cysts and there are a few follicles, then they start the drugs and you have a scan in about a week to check they are growing.. as long as you have 3 decent ones my clinic let you go ahead. Maybe he is following some sort of different protocol I am not aware of. Sorry for interfering and not being a lot of help - wishing you masses of luck x

[S2017 in reply to Hidden]

Okay that explains it, I understand where you are coming from as if you start off with 9 follicles, then technically its assumed that more will grow with stimulation. The baseline scan and checks on cyst and follicles was also the same process for me, only main difference was that with stimulation, the follicle number decreased, something I need to get a better understanding on.

Don't worry, you are not interfering at all, I truly appreciate all the advise! Xx

😊

[Emma672]

Hi there. Like others have said I’m not sure you can increase the amount of follicles. I’m 41 and just had my first round of IVF (which failed). My AMH is 3.2, I was showing a couple of larger follicles and a few other small ones at my first scan after stimulation, but after 2 weeks on injections I was up to 11 follicles they could drain. Turns out on the day there were only 4 left and only 2 eggs, but remember all you need is one 🙂 I’d definitely ask the consultant what their bottom line is in terms of numbers needed. Wishing you the best of luck x

[S2017 in reply to Emma672]

Hi Emma,

I'm sorry to the news, praying everything works out the next round. Not easy...

This is a bit of an unpredictable journey and you're right, all you need is one! Fingers crossed, hopefully it works out, will know close to end of this month if all goes well.

Thank you for coming back to me.

[Bernie150781]

Hi, so I have also been told by the fertility staff that you can show a different amount of follicles during different times of the month, as my very first scan showed 16 and the next two scans showed just 8 and I couldn't understand why. I just had my transfer yesterday. and during these scans while on the medication I had one scan with 12 follicles a good size for collection but on the day they could only drain 6 and I only had 3 eggs, 2 made blastocyst and we transferred 2 yesterday, we were very lucky this far. I am 39 with an AMH of 6 which they said was less than average for my age.

My clinic also said they need at least 3 for them to proceed, so I guess you would need to ask your clinic for specifics.

Sorry for all the numbers, I really think it can be quite random.

[S2017]

Hello Bernie,

Thanks for coming back to me. I feel like I am in the same boat, could not understand what I did that brought on a decrease in follicle numbers. I think it does boil down to timing.

Thanks for sharing the numbers, helps me understand better. I'm praying that everything works out well for you!

🙂

[fay2399 in reply to S2017]

No is not timing . Cycles are different. You need to be lucky to catch good cycle 🥺

[S2017 in reply to fay2399]

Hopefully it will be good at the next scan, fingers crossed! 😐

[Abs37]

Hi sweet, I have low egg count, generally have 8 follicles on a good day 🙄 I’ve posted about her before but my DH and I were referred to the IVF nutritionist Melanie Brown and this time (round 5) was our best round yet with 3 class A embryos after five day blastocyst. The only differences we made this time were supplements and dietary changes at Mel’s suggestion. I honestly couldn’t recommend her enough. Good luck 🤞🏻 xx

[S2017]

Hello,

That's great news that there are 3 class A embryos. To be honest, I have not heard of Melanie Brown, but just googled her and she seems pretty well known. I literally learn something new each time from each post (very new to fertility & IVF). Will check out her website and see if I can get a consultation. Thank you.

[fay2399]

I’m 43 as well.. so for me testogel and coq10 increased the numbers. I had bit more than u first and second cycle. However I’m not sure if the quality is better as well. Waiting for pgd results.

[S2017 in reply to fay2399]

Great, thank you for sharing. Hope your results come back good!