u/Additional-Cut-7086

TW: loss

I am 36. We are doing IVF due to MFI, but I also have DOR (AMH of 1 and AFC of 9). My first ER last year resulted in 3 x Day 5 4AB untested embryos. My fresh transfer resulted in a live birth, but I lost my newborn soon after birth due to a de novo genetic mutation. My second ER (6 months post partum resulted in 2 x Day 6 3BB blasts but both were aneuploid. I am preparing for a 3rd ER in June, with a different protocol (mix of the first two with the addition of Omni). My Doctor mentioned that if I don’t get euploids this 3rd ER, I should consider donor eggs. This isn’t something I am ready to consider just yet, I want to believe there is still hope with my eggs. Am I delusional to think it can still work for me?

I just completed my 2nd ER which resulted in 2 blasts, 0 euploid. I am 36 and preparing myself for multiple rounds, which are around $20k out of pocket each. Most of my savings will be spent on IVF this year with no guarantee it will work.

How are people in Canada affording multiple rounds? In my province, only the first cycle is funded, and private insurance rarely offer IVF coverage. You can declare up to $20k to be eligible for a tax credit, but what if you end up spending a lot more than that?

I had an ER last cycle, and currently waiting for my period to start stims again. I hear the first cycle after an ER can be longer than usual. Curious to hear your experience, if it was longer than usual and by how many days? Thanks

I just had a failed ER using an antagonist protocol. We retrieved 6 eggs, got 2 blasts but both are aneuploid. I am 36.

My RE wants to change the protocol next time and have me do estrogen priming during the luteal phase, start Letrozole on CD2 for 5 days and then 300u of Menopur on CD4. This seems like an unusual delayed start to Menopur and I am scared of another failed cycle.

Has anyone done a similar protocol and what were your results?

My RE wants me to take androgel (testosterone) for priming for all my ER. By my next ER, I would be on it for 3+ months. He doesn’t think it’s necessary to do any bloowork considering I have borderline DOR. I am starting to worry about my testosterone level being too high, and potentially oversuppressing me or impacting egg quality.

Has anyone been on Testosterone for a long period of time and got better/worse results?

I am 36 with an AMH of 1 and AFC of 9. I just completed an ER, with an aggressive kitchen sink protocol. We retrieved 6 eggs, 4 mature and fertilized, 2 day 6 blasts. I got the devastating news today that both are aneuploid.

I know statistically I have a 50-60% chance of getting an euploid but it’s hard not to be very discouraged by these results, let alone the $20k I paid out of pocket that went down the drain.

For those you had a disastrous first ER, and went on to have a success later, what changes did you make that you believe led to start getting euploids?

I will hopefully be doing my first FET this summer after my third ER.

I am hoping to do a modified natural protocol. My Dr doesn’t recommend any SIS or biopsy before a first FET. I don’t produce a ton of eggs and only have a couple embryos. I am concerned with this try and learn approach as I don’t want to waste any embryos. I am also hearing it’s common to develop fibroids or polyps after stims, which can impact implantation.

Did your Dr prescribe any medical exam, test or drugs as a proactive measure to ensure success on your first FET?

I am heading to my 3rd ER in June, with an AMH of 1 and AFC of 9. After trying an aggressive protocol in April with 12mg of Rekovelle (similar to Gonal-F) + 300u or Menopur, resulting in 6 eggs retrieved, 4 mature and 2 Day 6 3BB blasts (waiting for PGTA), my RE recommends a milder protocol with Letrozole and 300u of Menopur, while keeping Estrace and Testosterone priming. I am hoping this is my last ER before moving to transfer.

Does anyone have experience with a similar « milder » protocol? Would love to hear how it went for you. Thanks

I am heading to my 3rd ER in June, with an AMH of 1 and AFC of 9. After trying a very aggressive protocol in April with 12mg of Rekovelle (similar to Gonal-F) + 300u or Menopur, resulting in 6 eggs retrieved, 4 mature and 2 Day 6 3BB blasts (waiting for PGTA), my RE recommends a milder protocol with Letrozole and 300u of Menopur, while keeping Estrace and Testosterone priming. I am hoping this is my last ER before moving to transfer.

Does anyone have experience with a similar « milder » protocol? Would love to hear how it went for you. Thanks

I just completed my 2nd ER and I can’t help but be a bit disappointed with the results. I will be doing a 3rd ER in June and need advice on protocol change.

My first ER was early 2025 at 35 yo with DOR and MFI. Protocol: 225u of Menopur for 10 days, no priming, single trigger. Results: 6 eggs retrieved, 5 mature and fertilized with ICSI, and 3 x Day 5 4AB embryos. I have 2 remaining untested embryos on ice but decided to do another ER this year before moving to transfer as we would like 2-3 kids.

I just completed my second ER at 36yo, went with a top rated clinic and threw the kitchen sink at it as I am paying out of pocket. Prep: Bird&Be supplements for 4 months with 600mg Coq10, 3mg Melatonin per night, healthy diet and lifestyle, no alcohol or coffee for months. Protocol: Testosterone gel priming for 2 months prior, estrogen priming during luteal phase, 11 days of stims with 300u of Menopur and 12mg of Rekovelle (similar to Gonal-F), and then dual trigger, ICSI and Zymot. Results: 6 eggs retrieved, 4 mature and fertilized and ended with 2x Day 6 3BB embryos that have been biopsied and frozen.

With all the changes I made this cycle and an aggressive protocol, while I recognize this is not terrible, I was hoping for better results. I have a call with my RE to discuss my next protocol next week but he doesn’t seem open to changes, as 70% of their patients are on the same protocol.

What suggestions should I make to try and improve my next cycle? While I dont expect to retrieve a ton of eggs with my AMH of 1 and AFC of 9, I wonder if a lower dose of stims or a menopur only approach could improve my maturity and embryo quality, as it worked well for me the first time. Thanks for your inputs!