short or long protocol

[KHRAM]

Hi all

I just had my first IVF appointment and discussed short and long IVF and she recommended the long protocol but Im a little confused because I’m 36 and my AMH 16.1 and AFC 15-20, I thought short protocol it’s better for age over 31. Is short protocol better for me the consultant just said it’s about side effects.

Anyone has any experience in this ?

[EdwardsSarah996]

I suggest you trust your specialist. Although you could go to another consultant to have a second opinion. Did you ask your consultant if the short protocol is better for you?

[KHRAM in reply to EdwardsSarah996]

she wasn’t very clear she said we use long protocol as default and based on my age AMH and AFC, to go for long protocol but I will ask her again at next appointment.

[EdwardsSarah996 in reply to KHRAM]

I can see you start in August. What protocol has your specialist chosen for you?

[KHRAM in reply to EdwardsSarah996]

Hi

They have chosen the long protocol for me but not explained why exactly, and I wasn’t sure if that’s the right one as I read mixed things about long and short protocol.

[EdwardsSarah996 in reply to KHRAM]

That is good to hear. I suppose you are now starting stims.

[KHRAM in reply to EdwardsSarah996]

Hi

Yeah I will start my cycle soon in September, starting with Suprecur inj then scan and blood and adding Meriofert, feeling very anxious

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

IVF Treatment is different for everyone - your consultant takes into account your history ,blood results etc before working out a protocol especially for you As 1st post says trust your consultant

Thinking of you

Janet

[HollyT7]

I had long protocol for mine and I started at 35 x

[OurMiracleBabies]

Wondered why they took 6 fail to try something different. Anyway, they have changed this cycle and that's a good thing.

Sincerely hope this is it for you . Sending you best wishes and lots of baby dust.

[Lunasa81]

I had long protocol at 37 and was successful 1st time. Double embyro transfer,none for freezing.My consultant took my age,AMH and endometriosis into account.

[mumma_in_the_making]

Hello, I’m also just about to start my first round of IVF and am doing the long protocol. I’m 33 with an AMH of 14.1 and AFC of 13. I must admit I had been hoping to do the short protocol just because I’m so inpatient but I trust they know what they’re doing. I really wouldn’t worry. Good luck x

[KHRAM in reply to mumma_in_the_making]

thank you so much for replying, good luck xxx

[Lau_22_uk]

First of all I’ll say trust your consultant and be aware that everyone has a very individual case.

For instance I had a short protocol at the age of 33 then at 35, both failed cycles. Then I had a long protocol at the age of 37, we are only able to retrieve 3 eggs but only one made it to blastocyst, and then I had to have the transfer on the three my hopes were really low but guess what you only need one healthy embryo!! I now have a 10 month baby boy!! Good luck

[KHRAM]

aww that’s such a great news so so happy for you thanks for replying x

[FierceGrace85]

I personally questioned this. I’m 37, AMH of 30 (I have PCOS). Long protocol was recommended but I went with short and asked for gentle stims, lowest possible dose of Fostimon and the other one. We ended up with 12 embryos frozen so it was fine. I wanted the short protocol because I wanted the fewest drugs possible so I was putting my body through the least amount of stress. I personally didn’t like the idea of shutting down my natural cycle and the side effects of the down regulation. Also more drugs = more ££££!!!

[KHRAM in reply to FierceGrace85]

I think I prefer this too, I suffer from migraines and sensitive to hormones anyway so I think I will discuss this in more details when I start in august. Thank you for replying x

[IAAM21]

I went for short and it failed 3 times but wished we'd tried one as long. My AMH was like 1! So as said before it really depends on your levels. I also had only 4 or 5 follicles. You could ask the success rates even though again these are just numbers and depends on your hormones, follicles, reasons for choosing IVF. Second consultation sounds good. The shorter protocol gas a higher risk or spontaneous ovulation but supposed to be better for women over 40. Each clinic is different. Good luck and it only takes one! X

[Eggfreezing36]

I am 37 with not great AMH and have been recommended long (this is where you down reg first right?) for all three of my egg freezings. I didn't think to question it....but interested to see what people think!