Low AMH and IVF?

[Mspoppets]

Had a consultation with a fertility clinic today and they recommended we use donor eggs and ICSI as my husband has low count, low motility and high morphology. They are willing to try a cycle with my eggs but caution that it will likely result in disappointment. I have 4 visible follicles, AMH 0.7 and FSH 9. I’m thinking if I don’t try once I’ll regret it. Especially as it’s not likely we could conceive naturally so IVF would be my only shot at a genetic child. Or am I setting myself up for so much heartbreak for such low odds? Anyone one have any advice/thoughts/similar stories?

[Chel91]

I'd say if you already know you will regret it, then you have to do what is right for you! AMH is also quite relative depending on your age, if you are younger then you do have a good chance. I've seen ladies have success quite late in age also, so there is always a chance. I guess you have to balance all things like how many cycles you can afford or mentally cope with etc. Best of luck x

[Mspoppets in reply to Chel91]

Thank you! I think my age might be a big factor in them saying they will give it a go with my eggs (I’m only 34) x

[Marisa32]

Low AMH is not something that is preventing you from getting pregnant. It looks like sperm is the problem in your case. You may need multiple rounds of IVF to collect enough eggs. We usually don't react to stims much. Depending on your age, you may get lucky with a good egg faster.

[Mspoppets]

thank you. Yes his infertility is likely why it’s not working at all as I do ovulate albeit irregularly. Fingers crossed! I’m only 34 😔

[CJohns]

It is upsetting when clinics mention donor eggs from the off! It was mentioned 2-3 times to us.

We had private fertility checks carried out - my AMH was 2.2 (and it was 1 when it was retested by the NHS 6 weeks later), and my partners initial results were 1million count, 7% motility and his morphology couldn’t even be assessed because of the low count! He was diagnosed as having severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. We genuinely thought we were doomed. His sperm was retested several weeks later after he cut out alcohol and had a healthier diet (we were already fairly healthy) and all levels had amazingly gone up . My partner was 38 at the time.

Fast forward 4 months (lots of supplements for us both, change in diets, cosmetics, no caffeine etc) and we conceived naturally - and I really do put this down to my partners improved sperm.

I know we were very fortunate, but please just don’t write yourself off. I had, and then the unimaginable happened. I really hope you’d be lucky enough with your own eggs 🤞🏻 Xx

[Mspoppets in reply to CJohns]

Thank you. Its amazing to hear you had such luck!

Frustratingly we already live the lifestyle they suggest so have nothing to change. But we are going for the enhanced screening for him at the clinic and maybe they’ll find something we can fix to improve things.

Hoping for our own miracle 🤞 xx

[Purple276]

Hi,

Your experience sounds very similar to mine - except I was 38 when had the first appointment. I'm so sorry you are experiencing infertility.

I only had 3 follicles, same AMH and FSH levels so was told to expect to use donor eggs. We did 3 rounds with own eggs as felt the same - wasnt ready to not try. I agree that it's important not to have regrets.

We did end up moving onto donor eggs but think a couple of other issues have led to this transfer being successful. I am also very glad that we tried with my eggs first as would always have wondered.

I hope that helps and wish you good luck xx

[Mspoppets in reply to Purple276]

Thanks for sharing ❤️ I think we will probably need to go onto donor eggs eventually too but you never know until you try. It’s going to be a long road I think! X

[pink_lemon]

If you have the funds to try a cycle or two with your own eggs, I would do it. You are young so if you get a couple eggs, chances are they will be good quality and take. Ivf is hard mentally, but you would recover and at least you would know you tried. xox

[Louiseg1891]

hi, I had very similar stats to you. I did 2 cycles and 3 transfers with my own eggs. I fell pregnant on the 2nd but miscarried at 10 weeks. I was so resistant to use egg donor for fear it wouldn’t really be my child. After 3 failed attempts we did the egg donor and I had a successful pregnancy on my first go. My little boy is now 2 and I can honestly say he is 100% mine. I don’t know why I was so worried about it and would have saved myself a lot of heart ache. If you do try your own eggs, maybe be strict that you just do one cycle as it’s one hell of a rollercoaster. Wishing you the very best of luck with whichever treatment you have xx

[Baby2023]

I would try create clinic. I'm currently with them and have a low amh. Don't give up hope. Take your supplements (read it starts with an egg) and try to not stress. Wishing you all the best

[Nicolab1 in reply to Baby2023]

Hi ourbaby2022 can I ask what vitamin did you take it’s starts with an egg gives you so many? 😀

[Elle_hope in reply to Nicolab1]

I think the important ones are:

Pregnancy ones that include folic acid

Vitamin d

CoQ10

DHA/EPA

I used Wild Nutrition/Ross Barr supplements

Also consider looking into DHEA (have to get from overseas I think) to take 6 weeks leading up to cycle

Sending so much positivity! 🙏

[Baby2023 in reply to Elle_hope]

in addition, i also take NAC, omega 3, prebiotic and curcumin (for endo). My partner takes Vit c and Tomato juice ( as advised by the consultant).

[Ellie0109]

hi, I’m in a very similar boat to you. I’ve just turned 36 and have been told I’m going through early menopause or POI. My FSH and AMH are almost the same as yours. One clinic told us that donor eggs is the only option so I am going to try one more to get a second opinion. This isn’t something I had ever considered and came as a massive shock. I’m very slowly starting to come round to the idea but I feel if I don’t atleast try with my own eggs then I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. It’s super hard and I feel I will never get over the shock but keeping positive is the only way. Hope it all works out for you but if you ever want to chat drop me a message as it sounds like we will both be going on a similar journey x

[Butterfly83000]

Hi Ms poppets, first of all sorry to hear that you are in the same boat as me. I thought your Amh is not that bad actually! Mine was below 0.4 at 37 probably lower and expecting my second baby in 2 weeks without ivf. I'm turning 39 in November. At 31 when I routine checked my amh which was 0.6 at that time they said I I probably would need donor egg too. hate to say that,but I don't believe clinics anymore who want you to go for donor eggs,especially you are young and your Amh is not that bad! My husband didn't had a lot of sperm count in the beginning but he tried suppléments, sport and good nutrition and it almost doubled. Maybe try this before? Get it to a good number before you start. I would try ICSI first imo. Don't give up on your eggs! Wish you the best of luck! 🍀🥚👍🤞

[Mspoppets in reply to Butterfly83000]

Awww thank you! It’s improved which I’m happy about, it was 0.2 last year! Small wins right? We are doing everything we can think of but he’s levels are not changing sadly but you never know 🤞x

[Butterfly83000 in reply to Mspoppets]

But I'm just confused why you were suggested donor egg while your husband has the issue. Should you not be using sperm donor then? But what I have read sperm problems can be improved but not egg quantities. Just be careful which clinic you are using. It's all about money for them. Best of luck.

[Mspoppets in reply to Butterfly83000]

They can do ICSI for low sperm but low ovarian reserve usually means poor response to the stims but they are considering letting us try anyway 🤞x