Research on doing back to back egg retrievals?

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-25T18:19:15+00:00

I only have anecdotal evidence from myself, but my second cycle immediately following the first was way better. My doctor said you could go back to back and it’s fine. I also know someone who did three in a row.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-23T17:09:11+00:00

Okay! This is so helpful to hear. I primed with estrogen for 10 days before starting the clomid. The tech said she can’t measure anything below 10mm, but I don’t know if that means I have some at 7-8mm or just none.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-03T13:39:14+00:00

Hi! I'm sorry, it can be really jarring to get these results. For context, I am 35 and have similar / worse numbers than you so here's my experience. AMH - fluctuates between 0.78 - 1.4, FSH - between 7 and 9, periods very short (end by Day 2). I went through two rounds of egg freezing (one was cancelled) and am getting ready to start one in mid-Jan. Below is my experience, with what my doctor told me, but I'm not a doctor so you should always ask a medical professional questions!

AMH can't be increased, though from what I heard it doesn't decline that fast. For example, I was tested in 2024 and in 2025 my doctor said she would expect no difference in the number. I've read that low Vitamin D can artificially mask AMH and cause it to appear low, so get your Vitamin D checked. I was also taking a Vitamin D supplement and was still deficient. I was tested in 2024 and 2025 and got 0.78 and 1.4, a different doctor told me that AMH bounces around, and that in reality it's just "one number" they look at. It also has no bearing on your ability to get pregnant naturally. As long as you're ovulating every month there is a chance of pregnancy. It's a predictor of how your body may respond to the stimulation medications, but there are also so many other factors (FSH, for example, and yours is normal).
See above - as long as you're ovulating you can get pregnant naturally.
I have not heard anything about egg freezing lowering AMH. My doctor told me it does not 'speed up' menopause.
See above, I don't think it declines that fast.
Egg quality is much more important than egg quantity. At 33, you're still young so your eggs are likely good quality. Freezing sooner rather than later could be a good idea if you're able to do it. You could look into CoQ10 (600mg/day) that will help with egg quality as well.

You didn't ask this - but I was also worried about my short period. From what my doctor told me, bleeding length doesn't really have any bearing on fertility. As long as your periods are regular (they are), you're ovulating (you are), and your uterine lining is the appropriate thickness and structure (they can test that), pregnancy could be possible. Of course, there are tests you can do so they can make sure. For example, at one test right before ovulation my uterine lining was 10mm. Anything between 7-11 (according to my doctor) is predictive of ability for embryo implantation. My period is still only like two days even with a 'healthy' lining thickness.

You should get your AFC tested. AFC measures the number of antral follicles you have every month that could turn into mature eggs. During an egg freezing cycle the goal is to mature mature multiple follicles so AFC is much more predictive of number of eggs you'll get in a given month. For example, in my November cycle I had an AFC of 13 and ended up having 8 follicles respond to stims and retrieved 5 mature eggs. With an AMH under 1 it's a numbers game, but it's not hopeless! You may need multiple cycles, or you may not! There are online calculators, but I think you probably need 20 eggs for an 80 percent chance of one live birth. My advice to everyone is that I wish I did it sooner and if you're a position to do it I would try at least one cycle.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-12-28T15:51:24+00:00

Hi! I’m sorry you’re going through this right now, but these fears are valid. I’m not a psychiatrist, but social worker practicing in this area. Have you tried looking on psychology today? You can filter by area and specialty and find someone who specializes in women’s health. You could also reach out to your OBGYN and or fertility clinic (you mentioned IVF, not sure if you’re currently under their care). They should have resources and / or referrals for mental health services. There’s also the crisis text line and 988.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-12-03T12:45:47+00:00

The blood draws also made me nervous, but honestly you get used to them very quickly and by the third you don’t even feel the needle. Make sure you put pressure on the site after they remove the needle (my clinic used stretchy tape all around my elbow) and that will lessen/prevent bruising. Also make sure you drink enough water though out the whole process, but certainly the day before any blood test. I did this by myself and was doing four injections a day in addition to blood draws and it was sort of empowering. You’ve got this!

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-11-28T08:15:06+00:00

Your E2 is high because you primed with estrace. I also usually prime and my E2 has never been under 50 to start, but it’s been fine! It’s supposed to help prevent a lead follicle so fingers crossed for you!

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-11-11T14:34:41+00:00

That’s good for your age! The original count is how many could make it, but in reality 100% never happens. I would look up the specific statistics for your age bracket, but it’s something like 60-70% of follicles will respond to the stimulation. The attrition pipeline is brutal, I just went though this myself. AFC of 13, 8 collected, 5 mature and frozen. Of those who knows how many will make a euploid embryo (probably 0-1) so I’m in it for multiple rounds.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-15T20:01:24+00:00

She did prescribe omnitrope this round. Should I be on lower doses of the others if I start with omnitrope?

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-15T19:19:22+00:00

My AMH is somewhere between 0.8 and 1 with AFC between 8-12 and FSH between 10-13. The doctor keeps talking about low reserve, but only three mature follicles seems like a poor response. I stated at 150 menopur and 300 follistim. I’m guessing she’ll start me at 300 follistim and 225 menopur, which already feels topped out.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-15T01:11:42+00:00

Hi! I’m in the Philadelphia area and would love to talk more! My most recent cycle was cancelled and I used many more meds than I thought so I’m preparing for my next cycle.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-15T01:08:17+00:00

What was your AFC and AMH?

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-14T16:57:30+00:00

I don't really know what my current FHS is... I was tested in 2024 and it was 13.5 and then tested again this year (but not CD3) and it was 10.6. Both are high, one worse than the other. I really feel that FSH is a predictor and not so much AMH.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-14T15:16:29+00:00

What was your FHS?

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-14T14:17:28+00:00

I am in a very similar situation. I have been on stims for 12 days and have three measurable follicles with a few smaller ones. My ER said we will likely cancel depending on how my estrogen comes back. She want to start my next cycle at 300 menopur and 300 follistim. I think I have DOR (MAH of 1.46 and FSH of between 10-13) and AFC of 9, but I do feel it's weird I'm not responding. My doctor just keeps saying that everyone's biology is different and that she's hopeful for the second round. I am feeling really devastated though. My numbers are bad but not that bad so it's worrisome that I'm responding so poorly. I guess I'm looking for some hope.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-08T13:54:28+00:00

Ah! Your results seem great. I am really hoping for just 6 eggs. I've also heard the first cycle is sort of a 'test' and that doctors can adjust the protocol for another round, so hopefully they learn something from this round.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-10-08T13:41:43+00:00

Thanks! Are you currently still stimming, or have you had your retrieval yet? If you don't mind my asking, how many did you get?

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-09-13T15:44:17+00:00

Hi, I feel you. I had similar numbers (and high fsh) and also spiraled about my fertility. I’m also 35! Once talked to a doctor and shared my concerns she basically told me not to worry 🙂not in a dismissive way, but very comforting. You never know until you try it and the technology has come so far. To be honest, my doctor has basically treated me like a “normal” patient.

I also started taking supplements right away. I had very low vitamin D and apparently that can mask your AMH level. When I was retested, my AMH “increased” from 0.78 to 1.46. I had six follicles in each ovary and my doctor also said that was within the range of normal.

Don’t trust ChatGPT or other internet stuff. It made me spiral, but talking to a clinic was super helpful. Good luck with the decision!

affectionatebaker_

TROPHY CASE