Gonal F only stim protocol experience?

[GranolaLoverBaby]

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are having a good day. Please I wanted to know what people's experience with Gonal F-only protocol has been: dose of Gonal F, number of follicles, number of mature follicles, number of embryos and total number of days of stimulation. I am 33 and on my 2nd stim cycle. During my first cycle, I got Gonal F 150 for 6 days and then Pergoveris 150 for 2 days. My baseline scan showed 25 follicles but I ended up with just 9 follicles retrieved and 6 mature and subsequently 2 D5 embryos and my fresh transfer was unsuccessful. I have the gut feeling that I was not stimulated for nearly long enough (Gonal F package says 10-14 days of stims generally) and my doses were very low. The clinic plans on using the same protocol for my 2nd cycle but I am pushing back against it. I was thinking of following the packaging leaflet of Gonal F and going with about 300IU for a minimum of 10 days, probably closer to 14 depending on clinic's schedule but wanted to know about others experiences on such a protocol.

Thank you

[MiniCeeCee]

hey there, I too have been on Gonal F only. I’m 37, have an AMH of 21. 1st stimulation with the NHS - 150 dose of Gonal F, got 9 eggs, 8 of which fertilised, and got 4 blastocysts. 2nd stimulation went private - 175 dose of Gonal F, got 8 eggs, 2 fertilised and only 1 day 3 embryos transferred (and failed to implant). Going into 3rd round now with a new private clinic - on 262 dose of Gonal F to try and get my egg numbers higher. First scan is tomorrow and going to see if it makes sense to add another drug to do a blended protocol. This clinic also have put me on a stronger trigger so that will hopefully help with maturation. Has felt odd to me to have stayed with Gonal F along the way, but I’m feeling hopeful as the latest clinic have upped the dose, and I’m trying a different trigger, so will have to wait and see! Last two rounds have stimmed for around 10/11 days each time! X

[GranolaLoverBaby in reply to MiniCeeCee]

Thank you so much for sharing. I wish you the very best on this cycle. Please could you tell me the name and dose of your stronger trigger? Please let me know how tomorrow's scan goes. Will that be your 6th day of stims?

[MiniCeeCee in reply to GranolaLoverBaby]

No trouble at all, and best of luck to you too with your cycle! I’m glad to be going higher on the dose, as doctors have said that with my AMH and follicle count, I should be getting egg numbers around 12-15 + (so the 9 and 8 that I had retrieved is quite low). That’s why they have increased my dose to 262 and also exploring maturity support with the trigger, as it could be that quality and maturity are the issue. The trigger they have put me on is Zivafert 10,000. (Previously been on Ovitrelle which apparently is less strong). When are you looking to do your next egg collection. Day 6 of stims scan tomorrow so will let you know how I get on 🤞

[MiniCeeCee in reply to MiniCeeCee]

GranolaLoverBaby Scan went well today - had around 18 follicles. I asked about adding Menopur to help with quality and maturation, and they agreed I could do this. So from tomorrow I’m on 225 Gonal F and 75 Menopur. Hoping this helps us get to a good egg collection (and subsequently embryo) number! 🤞

[GranolaLoverBaby in reply to MiniCeeCee]

I am so so happy for you! 18 follicles are really superb numbers! Is your next scan in 2 days?

[MiniCeeCee in reply to GranolaLoverBaby]

Thanks, we’ll see how things pan out - still a lot more stages to get through 🤞 Next scan in 4 days (due to bank holiday ) - they seemed pretty chilled to do my next scan on Tuesday!

[GranolaLoverBaby in reply to MiniCeeCee]

Very exciting! This is my favorite part of the IVF journey because I feel like I am always doing something. The parts where we have to wait are unbearable. I am going through the stims already sad about the 2WW

[MiniCeeCee in reply to GranolaLoverBaby]

Yeh know what you mean, feels like you’re in a position of taking action at least! Best of luck with your round! X

[GranolaLoverBaby in reply to MiniCeeCee]

Thank you kindly

[Luka_Ru]

I’ve been on Gonal F only for three rounds now. My AMH for round 1 and 2 was about 58 (I have PCO but not PCOS). Doing IVF for very severe MFI and also because we need to do PGTM for a condition my partner has.

Round one 2021 150 gonal f for 9 days - 30 retrieved, 21 mature, 7 fertilised, 3 blasts

Round two 2022 125 gonal f for 12 days - 27 retrieved, 21 mature, 12 fertilised, 6 blasts. That round resulted in my daughter but all other euploid blasts had the genetic condition.

Round three 2025 (AMH now 16 but wondering if this was wrong given the results) gonal f 225 for 10 days then dropped to 150 for a further 3 days. 40 retrieved (!!), 37 mature. Partner’s sperm concentration/quality has taken a dive so they had to freeze 16 of the eggs due to not enough sperm to fertilised them. Of 21 eggs not frozen, 12 fertilised. Blasts TBC!

Not really a typical journey as the poor fertilisation was due to sperm, but you may still find it interesting.

[GranolaLoverBaby in reply to Luka_Ru]

Thank you so so much for sharing your story. I am so happy that you had your daughter. How does it feel to carry around 40 large follicles? Did you experience any pain? OHSS?

[Luka_Ru in reply to GranolaLoverBaby]

Strangely I’m feeling ok. Didn’t feel as bloated during stims as I did in previous rounds, but perhaps there is more space in my post-pregnancy belly 😅 I was also given a different trigger to fist two rounds, a nasal spray this time, and haven’t been too bad except some nausea, but that could be the antibiotics. Only on day 2 though.

[GranolaLoverBaby in reply to Luka_Ru]

Very impressive! Please what were your first 2 triggers and the dose?

[Luka_Ru in reply to GranolaLoverBaby]

I’m afraid I don’t remember! It was an injection. May have been suprecur.

[GranolaLoverBaby in reply to Luka_Ru]

That is very helpful. Thank you very much. Please keep me updated on how everything goes.

[Sharbertn]

Everyone's doses will be so different because it depends on age, your response, your amh and how you respond to the meds. The dose suggested on the box is actually quite high and also the number of days is just a suggestion as well. So many people only stim for 10 days and so many others go on to 15-20 days, it just depends on your body.

What I would say (after doing a lot of rounds) is don't be afraid to ask the questions, ask your clinic, why this dose/why only GonalF (GonalF and Menopur is a very common combination to help grow and mature follicles). Different triggers can be needed due to your eostrodlil levels but there are stronger ones and also there's the option for a dual trigger as well. You have to just keep asking all these questions.

Good luck with your next round x