Pergoveris vs gonal f

[Londongirl84]

Hello, not sure if anyone can answer this but I thought I’d ask in any case.

I did my first IVF round at the age of 35 using gonal f. This was successful. Fast forward to current time and I’ve been on pergoveris for my last two rounds which has not been very successful. We have decided to do another round in June. I know age is a massive factor on the outcome (I’m turning 40 v soon) but I’m wondering if I should try gonal f again? My consultant said he is happy for me to do this but now I’ve confused myself and not sure if it’s the right decision. Has anyone been through anything similar?

[Greenleaves1]

I used meriofert for my first round and only achieved an early blastocyst which didn't stick.

For the second round I used Pergoveris and got more mature eggs - well when I say more, 3 fertilized, 1 made it to 4BB blastocyst which is frozen.

I'm 38 but I think Pergoveris helps to mature eggs so I've been recommended to do the same again if my FET doesn't work.

[Londongirl84 in reply to Greenleaves1]

Thank you for sharing. Yes I’ve been told it’s suppose to be better.

[Sja1981 in reply to Londongirl84]

Interested in this discussion as i've just noticed my initial prescription from the clinic said to get Pergovaris (3 boxes), which would make sense re your age point, as I've just turned 43 (but had 9 eggs/follicles at my April scan).

But my latest protocol says I'm to inject Gonal 300UI seven times. Plus they've mentioned to use Orgalutran which I've never heard of, and wasn't on my original prescription.

Obviously I need to stay calm and wait for my clinic to update me tomorrow about exactly what I need (!) but it stresses me out that they're unclear (I was also forgotten about when I first came onboard with them as my point of contact went on holiday, so wasn't the best start!). Thanks for any insights on which is best to use for older women x

[Londongirl84 in reply to Sja1981]

Hi, I can only speak from my experience as you know drugs affect everyone differently. I’ve now gone on the gonal f and collected 9 eggs, 8 fertilised and my last call on Sat I had 4. Which was 2 more than what I had with Pergovaris. I have my transfer today so hoping I still have 4. Overall for me I think gonal f was better buttttt who knows. Every cycle is different. I would just say don’t be afraid to try something different.

I haven’t used Orgalutran but I did have menopur with my gonal f so maybe it’s something similar. Good luck!

[Sja1981 in reply to Londongirl84]

Congrats on your 4, that's a great outcome!I'm starting my first round of IVF soon so I've no idea which is the best route, if Pergoveris is typically better suited to older women than perhaps that one makes more sense. I'm still reading up on it. But the more I read, the more I get the impression it's mostly a lottery and hard to predict. X

[Londongirl84 in reply to Sja1981]

Oh it’s your first round!! Good luck!! It’s very frustrating when clinics mess things up or making things confusing. Maybe speak to the doctor again and ask them the reasons on why he wants to put you on a certain drug. I have to also mention pergoveris is double the price. Go to Asda to get this as they do it slightly cheaper. X

[Sja1981 in reply to Londongirl84]

Yeah I'm waiting for the clinic to clarify why they've changed the protocol and I want some explanation. I'm a holistic practitioner myself, and would never treat a patient how I've been treated already, and we have barely even started. Early on, they forgot about me as my point of contact went on holiday, I had a period, caused loads of stress. So I pushed EC back a month which was defo the best decision. I've been trying to improve egg quality given my age so it's allowed extra time for supplements and research. Pergoveris seems to be £800 but if I order the 7 low dose Gonal injections, it will be £1750!

I can't get in ASDA as my clinic is in Spain so I don't have UK prescriptions x

[Sja1981 in reply to Londongirl84]

Now the clinic has responded and advised I'm to take the Pergoveris, but no explanation. The nurse said she would ask the doctor. It feels like a lottery and the docs just have a general preference and put you on that, but I wanted some reassurance eg. that it's the best one for my age?! (I'm 43). I've just asked in the Fertility over 40 Forum, so let's see.

Thank you x

[Axel131]

Hi Londongirl84, I've done it the other way, as in I've had cycles with Gonal F where I didn't have good outcomes and then cycles with menopur/pergovaris (they're much the same) and I got better results then. I think everyone is different and responds differently to the meds. If your consultant is happy for you to try a cycle with Gonal, give it a try. Unfortunately this IVF game is a very expensive trial and error to see how you respond and if you've had a successful cycle before with it, no harm in trying it again. Hope it goes well for you.

[Londongirl84 in reply to Axel131]

Thank you for sharing! Interesting to see how it works for others.