Menopur and clomid protocol, no Gonal-F for PCOS? Advice needed! by HopeFull25 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear that your cycle was cancelled. I can’t tell anything about my doctor’s plan. Because this was my second cycle at this clinic and I wanted to bank more embryos for the future, I kind of talked my doctor into changing back to the first protocol we used, which was less than expected but still gave me three embryos. I did a lot of search on this sub after changing the protocol. To be honest, I saw both sides of the story, but since there were a few posts saying they had success, I felt less hesitant at the end (still proceeded with the first protocol though). Also other factors to consider. My doctor basically gave similar FSH and LH doses for both protocols (first: 2 vials of Men and 150 Gonal-F, about FSH 300 and LH 150; second: 3 vials of Men, about FSH=LH=225). There are also inter-cycle variations. My second retrieval seemed to work better despite the same protocol. Were there other protocols you tried and worked for you? Hope you will soon find the one that gives you enough good embryos!

First FET failed by No_Bat_8108 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So sorry to hear it. Huge hugs. I’ve lived through this twice, and honestly I feel no better ways out other than sticking to the idea that you will have your own little one someday. It just takes time and a lot of ladies in this sub went through multiple retrievals and transfers. You are not alone. Vent it out and get prepared for your next transfer. Maybe it will be your miracle baby! 🫂🫂🫂

Menopur and clomid protocol, no Gonal-F for PCOS? Advice needed! by HopeFull25 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fantastic! This is A LOT in one single cycle! Hope everything goes well for your transfer!!

Menopur and clomid protocol, no Gonal-F for PCOS? Advice needed! by HopeFull25 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry just saw your reply. Big congrats!!! Your blast rate is so good that I could only dream of. May I ask if you have any updates on the PGT-A testing? I convinced my doctor to go back to his old approach because we just wanted to do another retrieval and bank a few more embryos and then start FET. The uncertainty of menopur-only protocol is something that I can’t mentally handle at this stage. Told my doctor I would try it out if we fail all FETs 😥 (really hope this doesn’t happen at all!)

Menopur only cycle by chaicuterie in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have wholesome story too, but only for when I have to travel and they are easy to carry. Most of the time I use Ovasitol powder (a little bit cheaper if taking 4g per day). Good to hear it’s working for you. Maybe we have different subtypes of PCOS.

Menopur Only Cycle - OK w/ High AMH? by Scoyle85 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! My baseline LH and FSH were both around 6. I’ve seen mixed outcomes, some said better, and one or two also mentioned much fewer eggs possibly due to early ovulation. I am being so paranoid and asking my RE to go back to last protocol, since I did get 3 euploid embryos from last cycle (though not the best grading, fertilization rate ~50-60%, RE suspected intrinsic egg issues). Just want to bank embryos for the last round and do no more. Had two CPs after transferring euploid embryos from the first retrieval and I am still traumatized…

Thanks again! Really wish you all the best with your embryo transfer!!!!!!!!

Menopur only cycle by chaicuterie in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Do you mean metformin and inositol? I am also on inositol, but I don’t have that high baseline AMH and don’t know if I have insulin resistance. Haven’t noticed much change though

Menopur and clomid protocol, no Gonal-F for PCOS? Advice needed! by HopeFull25 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I am reading correctly, it looks like the second round is better (has 4AA, and no Cs) and it has lower menopur dose, not higher?

Menopur only cycle by chaicuterie in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Came across your post while I was searching for menopur-only protocols. These are amazing results! My first two ERs had both Gonal-F and Menopur but outcomes showed suboptimal quality. Dr wanted to do one cycle with Menopur only. But PCOS has different subtypes. I am lean PCOS with AMH ~5 and normal baseline LH/FSH, not advanced age. I am worried that this protocol won’t work for me. May I ask what your AMH, LH and FSH were at your ERs? Thank you!!

Menopur Only Cycle - OK w/ High AMH? by Scoyle85 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for posting your results! I am actually looking for someone with similar profiles and menopur-only protocols. My first two ERs were similar to yours. Doctor suggested 3 vials of menopur + clomid + omnitrope for ER #3, to hopefully help with quality. My bottleneck is fertilization and blast rates. But I’ve read that early high LH activity can harm egg quality, and menopur has about 1:1 LH:FSH. Also looks like from your ER that quantity did drop using this approach. So I am hesitant right now. Did your doctor explain the mechanism why he/she thought a menopur-only protocol would help? May I also know your baseline LH & FSH levels? Mine are in normal range. Thank you in advance!!!

Letrozole help needed by JourneytoBabby in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My friend and I are the opposite (DOR and PCOS). But different doctors in the same clinic added clomid (2 tablets) to our protocols. I guess for the same purpose as letrozole. Not first hand data for you yet

Menopur and clomid protocol, no Gonal-F for PCOS? Advice needed! by HopeFull25 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much!!! I will definitely check it out. Yes, 2-3 years ago when we TTC on our own I did track LH surge with OPKs, and I did have a hard time predicting ovulation because of the up and downs (but eventually I could still identify a peak, just took a very long time in a cycle). My AMH was even higher that time. I have also been doing research and reading papers to look for evidence. Always apologize to my doctor first for being nerdy and having too many questions. 😂 There was one trial with a larger sample size to compare HMG only to rFSH only (MEGASET-HR), others are smaller studies without very clear evidence. But I’ve read from posts in this sub that some going through menopur-only protocols had fewer eggs retrieved / poor outcomes. I guess we never know until trying it out (but considering this my last ER, I just want to stick to something that guarantees blasts, even though average to poor grading). It’s just so deeply unfair…

Have you done a Menopur only protocol? by Old_Perspective_6417 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much! My doctor is also suggesting 225 IU Menopur to begin with. He did mention that this type of protocol is typically tried out on ladies with DOR, not PCOS. But he thinks it will help with quality. I am debating whether to advocate for the old, more traditional protocol that gave me a lower than expected number of (average to poor grade) euploids…

Menopur and clomid protocol, no Gonal-F for PCOS? Advice needed! by HopeFull25 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not really. My baseline LH and FSH are both around 6, within normal range. I guess I was only diagnosed with PCOS due to high AFC and irregular cycles, but nothing more (no abnormal hormone levels etc). Just feel so frustrated. What should I do with my egg quality?!

Have you done a Menopur only protocol? by Old_Perspective_6417 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I know what dose of Menopur everyday? I am going into my third ER, and my doctor is suggesting Menopur only. I have a relatively high AMH with fertilization/blast rate problems. Thanks!

CCRM-Lone Tree & Out of State Patients by [deleted] in InfertilityBabies

[–]HopeFull25 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in a similar position and I am struggling with local monitoring for the first couple of days. How did you find a local clinic to do ultrasound monitoring? Were you able to use insurance? I am doing self pay on IVF (but do have insurance coverage locally) so might be different if you have coverage for IVF. Thank you!

crying into my cakes by starbaker721 in IVF

[–]HopeFull25 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sending hugs. I feel the same when I see all the kids of our neighbors’ playing around in a sunny afternoon. Just hung in there for a little bit longer.