Bemfola vs Menopur vs 39yo egg donor

[Ace1981]

Hi there. I’m 40yo. AMH 2.6. Ist cycle on Menopur- I ovulated, so cycle cancelled. Just had egg collection from 2nd cycle, but only 1immature egg 😢

The specialist is giving me one more shot. She’s changed me to Bemfola at the highest dose. And has told me my only option if this doesn’t work is egg donors. One of my friends has offered, but she is 38-39yo and the specialist said getting eggs from a donor that old is a waste of time. Any good/ bad stories?? Suggestions? Thoughts?

I’m in Australia, and to get an unknown donor costs anywhere from $20,000- $40,000. So I’m a bit confused.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. ? Did anyone do better on Bemfola?

Has anyone had success/ difficulties with an older donor?

Thank you!! Xx

[Orla9298]

I’m now 37, but at 32 did Ivf with amh of 2.7, on menopur, and ovulated before collection. When I went on bemfola instead it seemed to go better. Menopur is equal amounts of fsh and LH whereas bemfola is fsh only. I’ve heard that too much LH isn’t great for older eggs or those with low amh like mine.

It’s hard to ever say - you never know how a round will go. My friend was my donor when we were both almost 36 and she had a 2 year old who she had conceived very easily, but it didn’t work out for me. My younger sister then donated at 32 and it went a lot better and our baby is on the way. You could consider at least doing amh, fsh tests etc and a follicle scan on your friend to see? And when were her pregnancies and how easily did she concieve?

Also worth considering natural modified ivf witb your own eggs which is gentler on eggs too. I actually got 6 eggs and 5 made it to blast when I swapped to bemfola on only 150iu!!! It really can help having lower doses xx

[Ace1981 in reply to Orla9298]

Hi Orla!

Thank you so much for your response. Congratulations to you! That’s so exciting!!

It’s very tricky... great to know that you did have a similar protocol to me.

I wish I knew more younger people, but I guess as you said, it would be worth getting all of those baseline tests on my friend and asking the specialists opinion then.

My friend has two children and conceived them fairly easily. And is incredibly healthy.

So fingers crossed I guess!

Again, thank you and best wishes to you!

I hope everything goes really well xxx

[katiehopeful81 in reply to Ace1981]

I would also say try the mild IVF. I’m 41.5 and low AMH and managed to get blasts on 150 Bemfola and nothing on 450 Menapur. I’m still in treatment. Good luck x

[Countrychic]

We had a terrible first round on menopur, We only got three eggs, one fertilised but did make it to transfer. Next round we changed to short protocol using Gonal-F which I am sure is FSH only medication. We collected 6 eggs, ended up with two 4AA blastocysts at day 5 and day 6. Our day 6 embryos is now our 4 month old son. I have read a lot of success stories after a change of medication. Best of luck, there is definitely hope 😊 xxx

[Ace1981 in reply to Countrychic]

Oh thank you Countrychic!!!!How inspiring 😊

I definitely feel a little less helpless from your message.

I’m also currently seeing a Chinese guy who is giving me acupuncture, so I’m considering taking a month off to try some herbs for the lead up also.

You must be so ecstatic and grateful for your little bub!!!

Best wishes to you!! Xxx

[BBHH1]

I agree with your doctors.

If you using a donor is to get the advantages of young eggs. Higher rates of live birth, with less transfers and less risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities. Which all result in less anxiety and stress in an already hard situation. As fertile as a 38-39yo can she can never offer you that and it would all be a long road. Probably your friend would have to do 2-3 rounds to get success, not sure she would go for that. At the end, you would have more heartache and end up spending more money in more cycles. So it has to be someone young.

Hope that helps!