IVF success with bad response

[KateLloyd]

Hi, we are due to start our 3rd round next week hopefully. I did not respond well the first two rounds (I am 39 & have very low egg reserve), first round only 3 follicles so consultant changed from IVF to IUI, as said she felt wouldn’t get good enough eggs for IVF. Then the second round only 1 follicle of not good size so round got cancelled.

I am wondering if anyone has had bad response with only a couple of not great size follicles and done IVF and any success stories?

Thanks

[almostfamous]

Hi, I've done two rounds of IVF (aged 37). My first round I only had two good sized follicles, but only collected one egg. That egg fertilised and we did a day 3 transfer. I got a BFP but unfortunately had an early mmc. On my second round I got two good sized follicles again, they managed to collect two eggs and both fertilised. We froze one and did a day 3 transfer with the other and I'm now 15 weeks pregnant. On both rounds I did have more follicles but not many, and they were all too small and in my second round one was way too big! I wasn't diagnosed with low egg reserves or anything like that so no idea why I didn't respond well. I was on Gonal F for both rounds, they increased the dosage for the second round but it really didn't make any difference. Good luck!

[KateLloyd in reply to almostfamous]

Congratulations almostfamous that’s great news. And good to hear positive outcomes from low follicle count. I did a mix of Gonal F & Menopur. Thank you x

[Rocco11]

Hi Kate, have the clinic looked at your protocol and medication dosage for each cycle. It can be trial and error on protocol/medication to find the right mix. It’s taken me four cycles so far to get a good response (a good response for me) along with some research. This cycle we managed to get 4 eggs two of which fertilised normally- prior to this cycle the clinic recommended egg donation.Test day tomorrow x

[KateLloyd in reply to Rocco11]

Hi Rocco11 , I did a mix of Gonal F & Menopur for both rounds and upped a bit on second round. I believe we are doing the same this round and also taking Letrozole, am speaking with my consultant this week. That’s great news this cycle was better for you. Good luck for tomorrow x

[Rocco11 in reply to KateLloyd]

Thanks Kate.How about the protocol- I’ve been on two and responded better to the antagonist.

The first cycle I was on 375 menupur (antagonist) second 375 bemfola (agonist)) third Gonal f 450 (antagonist) and the fourth I mirrored the second, however, introduced 3 weeks of testogel beforehand. My clinic didn’t promote this but i came across several promising studies for poor responders, which I really believe has helped me respond better this time as by 12 days was ready for egg collection, all other cycles I stimmed from around 16 days, which I think has also helped the egg quality.

I wish you all the very best for cycle 3 x

[KateLloyd in reply to Rocco11]

I did the short protocol both times, the second time I did inject for longer but that was just to try and get follicles.

What is testogel?

x

[Rocco11 in reply to KateLloyd]

It’s testosterone in a gel, in the studies it was found to have a positive impact on poor responders. Not enough evidence out there for clinics to support it but here is one example if you’d like a read xncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[KateLloyd in reply to Rocco11]

Thank you Rocco11 i’ll have a look at it.

Hope testing went well today, have had my fingers crossed for you🤞 x

[Rocco11 in reply to KateLloyd]

Thank you so much Kate - I think I’m still in shock but we got our first positive today. Long way to go, but a huge milestone for us getting this far x

[KateLloyd in reply to Rocco11]

Congratulations that’s great news x

[HMKing in reply to Rocco11]

Aww I was just about to ask if there was any news!! Amazing so pleased for you xxx

[Rocco11 in reply to HMKing]

Thank you so much ladies xx