long vs short protocol - does it affect egg quality?

[Minminminminh]

hey guys,

I am on my second round of IVF. My first round was long protocol where they gave me a high dosage of stimulating drugs. Managed to get 14 follicles; 8 eggs; only two fertilised. So even though they got a fair amount, only two were viable. This time round, I am on short protocol with a much lower dose of stim drugs. So far there are only four follicles and they have already started me on the second injection. I guess my question is, does lower dose = higher quality eggs? Just worried with numbers.

TIA

[Joeysjourney]

Hi there. Hope you're OK. If you read my profile you'll see that I also had long protocol first time round. 13 eggs, and 2 fertilitised. Both transferred on day 3 but it was negative. I was gutted and really afraid it would happen again.

Next time, just like you, I did short protocol with much lower dose but this time with icsi. My first scan I had 7 follicles vs 11 during my long protocol so I was also worried. In the end, I got 10 eggs, 7 fertilised and 3 blasts of decent quality. So there was a big difference which I think was a combination of the protocol and icsi. I also did a lot of lifestyle changes.

Are you doing ivf or icsi this time? Might be worth considering icsi if your clinic agrees? It seemed to help our eggs and sperm get acquainted.

Hope this helps a bit. Each round is different of course but I think I responded to the second protocol better and I'm doing the same again in a few weeks. Although I'm still nervous that it won't go to plan, it's never not worrying. But all you need is one!

Best of luck and I hope more follicles will be recruited over the next few days days. If you see my posts, I edited them to include the increase in follicles as stims went on!

Joey xx

[Minminminminh in reply to Joeysjourney]

Thank you for sharing your story! We did ICSI first time and will need to do ICSI for this time again. I’m trying not to think to deeply about it all but I am my own worst enemy. Going to travel to your profile to have a read! Xx

[Saskia9]

Hi, everyone responds differently so they are trying to see what protocol is best for you. My first round was a short protocol (1 embryo, BFN), my second was a short protocol but with a higher dose (1 morula, BFN) and my third round was a long protocol (2 embryos that resulted in a chemical pregnancy).

[Kitkat10]

yes I was the same age as you and had

Long cycle - 7 eggs 1 blast BFN

long cycle 9 eggs 2 day 3 blasts BFN

short cycle (changed clinics) 3 eggs 1 blast 1 perfect baby boy 🍀

I am trying for a sibling and wanted short cycle and that’s the protocol my clinic do for everyone now and they get decent results.

[Minminminminh in reply to Kitkat10]

this gives me so much hope, thank you. Have you started the short stim?

[Kitkat10 in reply to Minminminminh]

yes i had another short stim cycle in October with 6 eggs collected and 3 blastocysts. Just had the first FET 🤞🤞 never had anything to freeze before and I’m 42 now

[Minminminminh in reply to Kitkat10]

oh my gosh, praying so hard for you. Good luck ❤️

[Lipe79]

hello

I had high stims/long protocol first time round, 12 eggs collected from 13 follicles. 8 mature and 6 fertilised. Only 1 just made it to day 6 as a poor grade blastocyst. Had a frozen transfer as my body was a mess! It just about survived the thaw. BFN.

On Monday I had a 3 day transfer of a very good embryo. This time I had 12 follicles with 8 eggs collected, 4 mature, 4 fertilised. I’m waiting to hear how the other 3 embryos are doing in the lab today and if they can be frozen. Apart from no results, I would say so far this was better for me as it’s clear the egg quality has been better. I also don’t feel bloated and over emotional / angry like the first time.

I had exactly the same worry as you and was told to only expect 1 or 2 follicles to respond. So 8 was a real shock!

Hope it works better for you too x

[Minminminminh in reply to Lipe79]

Yes I don’t feel as emotional either this time round!! This protocol has been much kinder to my body. So far only 3 follicles and they are aiming for EC this Saturday. So looking like 3 maybe 4 eggs if another follicle makes it in time. Thank you for sharing. Can I ask why you are going down the frozen route rather than fresh?

[Lipe79 in reply to Minminminminh]

I have already had a fresh transfer on Monday. This was a 3 day embryo. The remaining 3 are in the lab still hoping to be frozen for another time. I had a phone call to say two haven’t progressed at all and one is not at Blastocyst day 5 yet but they will call again tomorrow just in case. I’m hoping I don’t need to worry about having any back ups!!!

Hope it all goes well and as planned on Saturday at egg collection. Mine was on Friday so we are a 8 days apart…x

[Minminminminh in reply to Lipe79]

I totally missed your Monday 3 day transfer in your message 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️. Hope TWW isn’t too torturous! Hope to hear good news soon xxx

[Lipe79 in reply to Minminminminh]

oh don’t worry - it’s the hormones. My brains not working either. 😚

Let’s us know how you get on this weekend xx

[Missl73]

my quality was the same, I got slightly more eggs on short but fewer of them were mature whereas they were all mature on long. Down regulation drugs really messed up my cycles though and could suppress me too much so overall I preferred to do short. It’s different for everyone so you have to figure out what’s best for your body.