one ovary not responding

[TunaCan]

Hi all

I am writing to see if anyone has got similar stories to share, and outcomes.

I just went for my day 7 scan I am on meriofert 225 and my right ovary is behaving ok (6 follicles growing of which 4 at around 14 mm and the other smaller) but I am puzzled and sad to know that my left ovary hasn’t responded to the meds at all.

Dr tries to keep positive saying it’s not that uncommon but I cannot stop feeling really sad about it.

I am 37F with amh on the low for my age but not bad in general, antral follicle count wasn’t great.

Anyone who has gone through a similar experience and/or have got the other ovary responding well in subsequent eggs retrieval cycles?

thanks x

[Endofitall]

I think this is common and more noticeable if you have low AMH and poor response generally. My right ovary never does much with stims and hasn’t in 4 egg collection cycles. Left ovary does all the heavy lifting.

That isn’t to say you won’t get one or two good eggs occasionally from your ovary that isn’t doing much though. And I know when I got pregnant naturally I’d ovulated from my right ovary.

[TunaCan in reply to Endofitall]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Endofitall, it helps

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Single ovaries are sometimes noticed to work alternatively as when there are two. Maybe it will be just perfect next time fingers crossed. Diane

[TunaCan in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane and fingers crossed indeed, next scan on Monday

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to TunaCan]

Hi. Hope all goes/went well. Diane

[Lelllow]

Hi there, I think this is fairly common. I had two egg collections, and only one ovary (different one!) responded each time.

In the first cycle, I got 10 eggs from only one responsive ovary, and the second time - 15.

It's totally possible to get a good number, especially if the clinic monitors you closely and adjusts the stims medications accordingly.

Stay positive and good luck 🙌

[TunaCan in reply to Lelllow]

Hi Lelllow, that's reassuring and I am glad you managed to retrieve good numbers of eggs even with 'alternating' ovaries ☺️ can I check if you did the two cycles quite close to one another or if you spaced them out? I am thinking of organising a second cycle swiftly after this one.

[Lelllow in reply to TunaCan]

The cycles were about 9 months apart, not on purpose though. Just with the clinic change and some prep for the cycle it took that long.

I feel you on starting as soon as possible! but maybe also discuss with you consultant if they recommend any supplements and for hour long to maximise the egg number and quality (CoQ10, Omega 3 etc...)

[TunaCan in reply to Lelllow]

Thank you and yes I thought about taking supplements and doing some acupuncture sessions before the next cycles starts. Today I have day 10 eco I really hope things will be ok🤞

[Kitkat10]

yes, this happened to me after the long cycle fond regulation, but it didn’t happen after a short cycle protocol. Are you short or long?

[TunaCan in reply to Kitkat10]

Hi Kitkat I am very new to all of this so I am not sure but I think I am on the short cycle protocol? I started taking hormones on the 2nd day of my period and now I am at day 10 and likely will get a trigger shot this week.

[Kitkat10 in reply to TunaCan]

Hi, yes sounds like the short protocol. I found this one better than the long, good luck, I hope everything goes smoothly xx

[Babydust2023]

My left ovary didn’t respond either but they still managed to get follicles from my right at egg retrieval. This is a difficult process to go though so don’t beat yourself up! 4 is a good number and all you need is one to make you’re little miracle xxx

[TunaCan in reply to Babydust2023]

Thank you Babydust for the words of encouragement and for sharing your experience. We have to remember to be kind (and grateful) to our bodies anyway.

[XXKKXX]

Apparently it's common. I also had one ovary not really respond during my round. I don't think amh has any bearing on this as mine was 62. In the end at collection we got 2 eggs from my lazy ovary and 5 from my right

[TunaCan in reply to XXKKXX]

Thank you and good result for you. I hope my right ovary can will behave as good ☺️🤞

[Rubylou01]

Hey Tuna can - I was stimming in June and my left ovary did nothing while my right ovary produced two larger follicles. I ended up abandoning that cycle as Dr thought the COVID I caught in May had affected them (they measured my AMH and had dropped to 2 - from 12 in March). Next cycle both ovaries responded and 12 follicles visible (AMH had gone back up to 7). Couldn't proceed with that 2nd cycle as as largest follicle was 12mm but I did a 3rd cycle in August and this time only 6 follicles.... But in both ovaries this time. So as well as your protocol and meds it can also depend on whether you've been unwell and how your ovaries are feeling that month (I seem to be one month on one month off now...!). Hopefully all good with your collection though as sounds like your right ovaries cooperating well! Good luck xx

[TunaCan]

Hi Ruby, thank you for sharing and yes I hear it can vary a lot from cycle to cycle. As I said above I am already thinking whether I can try and do a second cycle - around January time. Let’s see first how this one goes. I’ll post updates. Hope all is going well for you if you are still doing rounds. Xx

[TunaCan]

Hi everyone, just a quick update I went for scan and my left ovary finally woke up and now contains 3/4 follicles. Only one is 17 in size the other are smaller (like 11 and 8) but I think it’s already a very good effort on its part 🙃 the right ovary has 6 follicles (3 a are around 18,20,22 the others are all smaller). I hope they will balance out a little bit for pick up day which is on Wednesday. Thank you to all of you for your support so far xx

[Alisonwww]

During my first stimulation cycle only my right ovary responded, not my left. My REI found it odd that there was no response at all from the left and sent me for another US. They found endometriosis, I had surgery to remove it and since then the left ovary has responded well in subsequent cycles.