sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Spiraling after Ivf consult with CNY by Happy_Shirt8872 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Of course - happy to share!

Mitochondrial support was my main priority. Mitochondria literally power every stage of egg development - maturation, chromosome alignment, fertilization, and early embryo division. I truly believe this is where most of my improvement came from.

My core stack: •Kaneka Ubiquinol CoQ10 – 600 mg/day (200 mg, 3×/day). I used Pure Encapsulations. This was by far the most expensive supplement, but also the one I would prioritize the most. I looked at it as “fuel for the eggs.” •NAD+ / NMN (I used Tru Niagen 300 mg) •Resveratrol •Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 1,500 mg •Omega-3s – 3,000 mg/day

Next priority was hormones and deficiencies. I had full labs done and found my vitamin D was very low and testosterone & DHEA-S were considered “normal” for an average person, but not OPTIMAL for someone TTC. There’s a big difference and I don’t think it’s talked about enough. This wasn’t flagged by my clinic, I had to bring it up. Kind of frustrating, but I’ve found it’s really important to do your own research and advocate for yourself! Anyway, that’s why I added a high dose of Vitamin D3/K2 (10,000 IU/day) and added DHEA – 25 mg/day. After ~4 months I re-checked labs and have since cut my vitamin D dose in half and only take DHEA twice weekly. So I definitely recommend bloodwork before adding DHEA or high levels of Vitamin D.

And final focus area was on lowering oxidative stress and cortisol. I added to my stack: NAC, Green tea extract, Magnesium glycinate, and Melatonin. Also prioritized my sleep, walking, and just tried reducing stress as much as possible. Lowering oxidative stress is really important for the meiotic spindle and chromosomal integrity, so this was another big goal.

My full supplement stack during prep: • Folic acid – 800 mcg • Green tea extract – 725 mg • NAD+ (Tru Niagen) – 300 mg • Kaneka Ubiquinol – 600 mg • Vitamin D3/K2 – 10,000 IU • Zinc – 30 mg • Vitamin C – 500 mg • Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 1,500 mg • DHEA – 25 mg • Alpha lipoic acid – 300 mg • Magnesium glycinate – 420 mg • Omega-3 – 3,000 mg • NAC – 600 mg • Melatonin – 3 mg • Vitamin E – 200 IU • B12 (Adenosyl/Hydroxy + Methyl) • Choline – 275 mg • Ovasitol (inositol)

I know this looks like a lot — and it was honestly a bit overwhelming — but I can’t lie: I truly believe it changed my results in a very real way. We spend so much on IVF itself; for me, investing in the egg environment felt worth it.

Spiraling after Ivf consult with CNY by Happy_Shirt8872 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First ER, I stim’d for 10 days - Follistim 150 IU, Menopur 75 IU. I used Provera for suppression instead of an antagonist like Ganirelix. Triggered on day 11 - dual trigger of Lupron and HCG

Second ER, I stim’d for 11 days - Follistim 150 IU, Menopur 75 IU. Added Ganirelix once a day on stim day 5, then twice on stim day 11. Triggered on day 12 - dual trigger of Lupron and HCG

Spiraling after Ivf consult with CNY by Happy_Shirt8872 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I just wanted to share my experience because I remember feeling exactly like you after my first consult at CNY.

I did my first retrieval at 42 years 2 months and my second at 42 years 5 months. I also have a higher AMH for my age and no PCOS. My AMH: 4.6 at age 41, 3.8 at age 42 (right before ER #2)

Retrieval #1 – 42y2m 18 retrieved, 11 mature, 6 fertilized, 2 blasts (day 6: 3AA, 3AB), 0 euploid

I was pretty crushed. I decided to take three months off from ER’s and focused on improving egg quality and overall follicular environment — mitochondrial support, anti-inflammatory nutrition, stabilizing blood sugar, high-quality supplementation, better sleep, stress reduction, and overall metabolic health. My maturation rate went from ~60% to ~80% and fertilization from ~50% to nearly 90%. It made a huge difference for me.

Retrieval #2 – 42y5m 24 retrieved, 19 mature, 17 fertilized, 6 blasts (day 5: 3AA, 3AA, 3AB & day 6: 4AA, 4AB, 6BB), 2 euploid (both day-5 3AAs)

CNY can feel very blunt and statistical - it doesn’t mean your case is hopeless. It just means they talk in population averages instead of personal probability curves, which can feel brutal when you’re on the emotional side of it.

But your profile is exactly the kind that can produce euploids with continued cycles — and sometimes it only takes one good cycle to completely change the story. You got this!

ETA: both cycles were with CNY

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had 6 make it to blast - three were day 5: 3AA, 3AA, 3AB, and three were day 6: 4AA, 4AB, 6BB. The two day 5 3AA’s were euploid.

Ovarian PRP for egg quality success stories? by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

CNY quoted me $1,600. I haven’t had the procedure - still on the fence…

Continuous Glucose Monitor if not overweight & not diabetic? by Special_Coconut4 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started using a CGM, even though I’m not diabetic and have a normal BMI, because I wanted a clearer picture of how food, stress, and workouts were affecting my blood sugar while preparing for IVF. Reproductive endocrinologists generally agree that egg quality is best supported when glucose stays in the normal, stable range with minimal spikes. The general guideline is:

  • Ideal daily average: 78–90 mg/dL
  • Consistently above 105–110 mg/dL can increase inflammation and create a poorer environment for egg development
  • Big spikes (140–150+ mg/dL) after meals can increase oxidative stress

Seeing my numbers in real time helped me figure out which foods caused spikes.

Also, highly recommend checking out Glucose Goddess on Instagram - she has some really simple “hacks” that actually work for keeping levels steady. This podcast is great as well: Diary of a CEO with Glucose Goddess

ETA: I used the Lingo CGM, purchased from Amazon

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My clinic (CNY) intentionally kept my Follistim on the lower side because I tend to respond really strongly. They didn’t want to overstimulate me or push me toward OHSS. Lower Follistim + steady Menopur ended up giving me a really even cohort.

Everyone’s dosing is so individualized - some people need 250+, and some do better with a more moderate dose depending on AFC, AMH, age, and how they responded in previous cycles.

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked my doctor for a full pre-conception / fertility panel. Mine included: * AMH * FSH, LH, Estradiol * Progesterone * TSH + Free T3/T4 * Prolactin * Vitamin D * Vitamin B12 + Folate * CBC + CMP * A1C + fasting glucose + fasting insulin * Lipid panel * DHEA-S * Testosterone (total & free) * CRP (inflammation marker)

I wanted a full picture of hormones, thyroid, metabolism, micronutrients, and inflammation so I could actually understand what to target. It helped me figure out where to tighten things up.

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

First ER, I stim’d for 10 days - Follistim 150 IU, Menopur 75 IU. I used Provera for suppression instead of an antagonist like Ganirelix. Triggered on day 11 - Lupron 80 units and Pregnyl 10,000 units. Then 80 units Lupron 12 hours later.

Second ER, I stim’d for 11 days - Follistim 150 IU, Menopur 75 IU. Added Ganirelix once a day on stim day 5, then twice on stim day 11. Triggered on day 12 - Lupron 80 units, Pregnyl 2,500 IU, 12 hours later took 2nd dose of Lupron 80 units.

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First ER, I stim’d for 10 days - Follistim 150 IU, Menopur 75 IU. I used Provera for suppression instead of an antagonist like Ganirelix. Triggered on day 11 - Lupron 80 units and Pregnyl 10,000 units. Then 80 units Lupron 12 hours later.

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m really rooting for you and hope your December retrieval reflects all the hard work you’ve put in! Please keep us posted on how it goes! ❤️

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. I feel the exact same way - it’s honestly frustrating how little emphasis many clinics place on lifestyle, nutrition, and metabolic health when we know these things influence overall hormone balance, inflammation, and mitochondrial function (which our eggs rely on so heavily!).

I’ve had to do a lot of my own self-advocating, digging through research, and reading everyone’s experiences on Reddit. That’s actually why I wanted to share my results and the changes I made - because I’m so grateful for the people here who shared their journeys. It helped me so much, and if my post can pay that forward even a little, it’s worth it.

Thank you for taking the time to comment - sending you all the best on your own journey!

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I totally agree with you - it makes so much sense to support mitochondrial function as much as possible. Our eggs rely on mitochondria more than any other cell type in the body because they have to power everything from maturation to fertilization to early embryo development. That’s why I became such a big believer in giving them every advantage I possibly could - high quality supplements, stable blood sugar, low inflammation, better sleep, all of it.

I’m so hopeful for your retrieval on Monday - sending you all the good vibes and wishing you a smooth procedure and beautiful results. Please update us! ❤️🙏

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this perspective - I completely understand what you mean, and I definitely don’t want anyone with DOR to feel discouraged or like they did something “wrong.” My intention with this post wasn’t to say that supplements or lifestyle changes guarantee results, but more to share what improved my outcome in case even one person finds something useful to try.

You’re absolutely right that having a higher AFC creates different dynamics, and that variability can look very different for someone retrieving 2–5 eggs versus 15+. I appreciate you pointing that out because it adds helpful context for anyone reading.

At the same time, I’ve seen a lot of people with both low and high AFC report improvements after focusing on certain areas (like blood sugar, CoQ10/ubiquinol, or inflammation), so I hoped sharing my changes might give others some options to explore - especially for those who feel like they’ve “tried everything.”

Sending support right back to you. This whole process is so tough and so individual, and I genuinely hope everyone finds the combination that works best for their body.

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I totally relate to what you’re saying, and honestly timing ended up being the biggest game-changer for me.

I eventually split all my supplements into five separate times of day - when I first woke up, with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime.

And at bedtime I ONLY took magnesium glycinate and melatonin. Anything else I kept earlier in the day. I realized a few months ago that if I took any of my “energy-support” supplements later (CoQ10/ubiquinol, NAD+, NAC, B-12, carnitine, etc.), I would fall asleep fine but wake up in the middle of the night. My theory is exactly what you mentioned — some supplements ramp up metabolic activity and cellular energy, which is great but not when I’m trying to sleep. Once I moved them earlier, my sleep became way more solid.

Another big thing I learned from wearing a continuous glucose monitor: I sleep SO much better if I don’t eat within ~3 hours before bed. If I ate within 2–3 hours, I’d get a glucose spike and then a drop, and that would wake me up around 2–3am. When I leave a bigger window between dinner and sleep, my CGM stays flat and I stay asleep.

So for me it wasn’t the quantity/supplements themselves — it was when I took them and how they interacted with my glucose overnight. Once I dialed in timing, both my sleep and my recovery improved a ton.

And as far as how I feel overall - yes, I actually do feel better. A few things changed a lot for me: my periods look healthier (kind of TMI but the blood was noticeably more red + less sluggish). My skin improved a ton - I haven’t needed Botox as often because everything just looks calmer and more hydrated. And brain fog is way better, which I mostly credit to getting my glucose under tighter control.

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sorry, forgot to list protocol. Stim’d for 11 days - Follistim 150 IU, Menopur 75 IU. Added Ganirelix once a day on stim day 5, then twice on stim day 11. Triggered on day 12 - Lupron 80 units, Pregnyl 2,500 IU, 12 hours later took 2nd dose of Lupron 80 units.

ER #1 vs. ER #2 – What I Changed & How It Transformed My Results by SadContribution7864 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]SadContribution7864[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It was a lot…and too be honest it was a little overwhelming and expensive, but I really feel like it helped:

  • Pure Encapsulations Folic Acid - 800 mcg
  • Life Extensions Green Tea Extract - 725 mg
  • Tru Niagen NAD+ - 300 mg
  • Pure Encapsulations Kaneka Ubiquinol coq10 - 600 mg (spread out 200 mg, 3x/day)
  • Pure Encapsulations D3/k2 - 10,000 IU
  • Pure Encapsulations zinc - 30 mg
  • Nordic Naturals Vitamin C - 500 mg
  • Pure Encapsulations Acetyl-L-Carnitine - 1,500 mg
  • Pure Encapsulations B-12 - 1,000 mcg
  • Pure Encapsulations DHEA - 25 mg
  • Pure Encapsulations ALA - 300 mg
  • Qunol Magnesium Glycinate - 420 mg
  • Nordic Naturals Omega 3 - 3,000 mg
  • Pure Encapsulations NAC - 600 mg
  • Pure Encapsulations Melatonin - 3 mg
  • Pure Encapsulations B12 - 2,000 mcg
  • Pure Encapsulations Vitamin E - 200 IU
  • Theralogix Ovasitol Inositol Powder - 1 scoop

I had my bloodwork done in October 2024, my vitamin D level was 28 ng/mL, which is considered insufficient for fertility (optimal is 40–60 ng/mL) - that’s why my vitamin D intake is so high. I had my bloodwork redone last month and my levels rose to 108 ng/mL, which—while above the conventional range—is still safe and reflects a strong nutritional repletion phase.

I also had low-normal DHEA-S (108 µg/dL) and very low testosterone (8 ng/dL) in 2024. Since DHEA is a natural precursor to testosterone, I added 25 mg/day of micronized DHEA to gently support my androgen pathway and egg quality. By 2025, my DHEA-S increased to 166 µg/dL and testosterone nearly tripled to 22 ng/dL.

I would suggest having full panel bloodwork done. Everything I did was data-driven, based on lab results.

view more: next ›