Dominant follicles in one ovary....

[Rubylou01]

Hi everyone - hoping for some advice/experience... I'm on my second egg collection at 44. AMH was 12.07 in March and was pretty elated as meant my egg reserve should be okay ... However, my first scan they said I had 10 follicles but my FSH was a bit too high at 12.2 but they thought that was due to me spotting before my period and maybe I should have started meds a bit earlier. Nurse measured 10 follicles to start with of which 2 were larger but I was told good to go and started the meds... Fast forward to 2nd appointment with Dr he can only find 7 follicles of which 2 are progressing faster ... 3rd scan same problem. 4th scan I now have in one ovary and 18mm, 17mm and 10mm with another 6 follicles in the other ranging from 4mm to 8mm IE too small to catch up. Nurse said my response wasn't in line with my AMH so Ive been tested again this morning to see if it's dropped off a cliff. But has anyone else had experience of this? And know what would be causing a poor response in one ovary? Or did I just miss the boat with the meds? And did folks end up proceeding with a smaller egg collection with dominant follicles or cancel the cycle? I was told at this stage that it might not be worth cancelling due to my age as this might be my new normal. Am just surprised by the change and not sure how to proceed. Any thoughts appreciated xx

[BlahBlah55]

Sounds like you’ll have 3 follicles to explore at egg collection. Tbh, at 44 I think that’s a decent result.

I was 40 at my two egg collections earlier this year. Both times I had a few dominant follicles and a few that never got big enough. My last round they only got one egg on egg retrieval day which I was very disappointed with, miraculously I’m currently 8 weeks pregnant from the one egg.

Try to stay positive as the cliche it only takes one can really be true!

[Rubylou01 in reply to BlahBlah55]

Thanks blahblah - that's awesome news about your positive result from one egg I wish I was that positive but Ive now decided to delay... as my AMH reading is 2 (from 12). I had a bad case of COVID in May and Dr thinks this has had a negative impact...he's not seen this before but he has seen it with bad cases of flu where cycles have had to be abandoned because body has had a really poor physiological response that then impacts follicles...So he thinks I should let this cycle slide as at 44 if I only have 2 (or if lucky 3) eggs the chance of it being a good'un very low And if this is the new normal then hoping body has better response after being prepped with a lot of stims this time round Xxx

[BlahBlah55 in reply to Rubylou01]

Okay, well glad you’ve made a decision and can look forward to your next round. Finger crossed you get good numbers next time!

I actually got covid during my stims with this cycle and wonder if that partly impacted the follicle count and fact I only got one.

My AMH also plummeted from 4.8 last August to 1.7 in March just before starting this round. I was so upset and had very little hope, my doctor couldnt understand how it could drop so quick! Though I was about to have menopause super early. But as I’ve learnt this past year anything and everything is possible in the world of infertility!!

Wish you the best x

[Rubylou01 in reply to BlahBlah55]

Thank you 🥰 Im defo on the blaming COVID bandwagon I hope all continues to go well for you; v exciting xx

[CyclingAddict]

At my last egg collection my left ovary had over double the amount of follicles compared to my right ovary. I don't necessarily think there's a reason for it or it's cause for concern - it would probably be stranger if both ovaries reacted exactly the same. Wishing you luck for your collection X

[Rubylou01 in reply to CyclingAddict]

Thank you am glad to hear it does happened - I just got told my response was unusual given my AMH! But since have found out it's bottomed out it kind of explains it xx

[Nes1005]

Hello,

Stims is so stressful isn’t it, and for most of us we are questioning everything at every stage which drives you crazy.

I am 44 also, had my last egg collection in May, FET beginning of this month and had a bfp, we are very cautious of course and take nothing for granted, odds not in our favour but remaining hopeful for our scan on Monday.

I just wanted to say, my follicle numbers from the this egg collection are the lowest I’ve had (naturally decreasing with age) the previous 3 cycles failed and I had numbers in the low teens, whereas this time I had 10 follicles (8 mature eggs) and I have a bfp. So I guess it’s more about quality and finding the one golden egg as my Cypriot clinic call it. Even if you just have a few large follicles they could well be good enough quality. It’s so so hard, not to stress but follow your heart, don’t give up and keep believing in the follicles that are there. I am thinking of you and wishing you so much luck that you are able to continue with the cycle. ❤️❤️❤️

Love and luck and strength to all ladies going through the battle.xxx

[Rubylou01 in reply to Nes1005]

Thank you Nes - I've decided to call it a day with this round and am going back next cycle in 10 days time as the Dr says that there are lots of smaller follicles coming through for my next round....now just have to hope my body cooperates a bit better... In the meantime going to find an acupuncturist, start yoga again and try some meditation!!! Many, many congratulations on your scan today - wishing you all the best and crossing fingers for you Xx

[Nes1005 in reply to Rubylou01]

Ah had you have come to a decision and good that there are visible follicles coif through. What medication are you on? Of course everyone different and I’m a bit biased but Meriefort is good for quality for us older ladies.

Thanks for the well wishes, all my sickness and symptoms complexity and abruptly stopped yesterday so I’m not holding out much hope for the scan this afternoon and my partner and I have Gone into sadness and despair mode but nothing we can do to change the outcome so we just put one foot in front of the other and keep going.

Wishing you so much luck and love for the cycle when it starts, I’ll look out for Any of your updates. ❤️❤️❤️

[Rubylou01 in reply to Nes1005]

Am really sorry to hear that - Im a great believer that you know your own body but I really hope for you that the scan shows something different xxxx

And yes on Meriofert started on gonal F then moved to Dexamethasone pill, and Fyremadel, Pergoveris and Meriofert injections....not really sure what everything does but its alot more tailored than my last clinic and they adjust the doses based on blood results so much more hopeful for next time. Thank you for advice and will be thinking of you today xx

[XXKKXX]

I have a dominant right follicle. My left ovary didn't do anything. Amh was 62 (pcos) so that really means nothing. Doctor said he sees it all the time one ovary doing all the hard work

[Spicycurry]

You just need to do oestrogen priming.

[Rubylou01 in reply to Spicycurry]

Thanks spicy curry - what does oestrogen priming involve so I can ask my clinic? Many thanks xx

[Nes1005]

yes me to, especially when you have been through multiple fertility treatments and losses- I really do think you can feel what is happening in your body but I hope somehow I can be wrong on this occasion.

Ah I’m glad you are on merifort, my last 3 cycles I was put on Gonal F and all failed, and this current one I insisted on merifort as per my first cycle back in 2022 which also gave me a positive, I think it’s less synthetic or something! Not for everyone but I’m also on Hydroxy this time which I knew nothing about previously and I think it has made the difference. xxx