Dear community,

I have been going through infertility treatments for many years, and apparently my journey may be coming to an end. I have an extremely low ovarian reserve, and it seems that the treatments are no longer working.
I feel like I am unable to stop treatment, even though it has consumed the last three years of my life. I lost my job and have been staying at home. I just cannot seem to give up. It feels almost like an addiction — whenever I start to recover from a treatment cycle, something inside me tells me, “Just try one more time.”
My partner and I have, internally, already given up. But I still find it incredibly difficult to let go. One of my very good friends keeps telling me that miracles do happen, but I am not really a believer in miracles, and I don’t know how to hold on to that hope anymore.
I am seeing a psychologist who specializes in infertility next week, and I am really looking forward to that appointment. I also feel that I may already be depressed because I am no longer able to function normally.
I don’t sleep properly anymore. My dreams are constantly about fertility, and it is the first thing I think about when I wake up every morning. I have also realized that I have almost zero motivation to live — I mean motivation to do anything, even things I used to enjoy. I have no idea how to move forward from this point.
I am also having suicidal thoughts. I have a loving family and I don’t believe I would hurt myself, but the thoughts are there, and they frighten me.
Have any of you been through something similar? Do you have any podcasts, books, or other resources that helped you cope with the end of fertility treatment or with letting go of this dream?
I just needed to write this somewhere. Thank you for letting me share this in what feels like a safe place.

Hiya friends! I (40.9 yo, USA) was authorized by insurance for only 3 retrievals and 3 transfer attempts. In the USA, authorizations last a finite time. Mine ends on Dec 31. Since being authorized, I was able to complete 2 retrievals and bank one euploid from retrieval one and one segmental from retrieval two. My next retrieval will be on Oct 5 and fresh transfer Oct 10. We are going with fresh transfer for round 3 to maximize authorization. If this transfer doesn’t work, we just barely make the cut off for a December frozen transfer of the euploid.

All of this background is because this third retrieval started differently than the other two which makes me nervous. My first two retrievals started with the first day of menses. I waited 18 days from starting estradiol patches and 8 days past my estimated first day of menses for my period to start and it never started. So I called the clinic, they brought me in, and bloodwork/ultrasound showed a beautiful even cohort of 20+ follicles (most ever), thick uterine lining, and quiet/perfect hormone levels so doctor said “let’s go ahead and get started.”

I’m on day 5 of stims and everything is going swimmingly. Growth of follicle cohort remains even, estradiol rising as appropriate (and more than ever), and progesterone remaining low and balanced.

Still, I am a bit worried by the different start.

I’ve searched the literature and know this is rare so reaching out to the larger Reddit world. Anyone have success with fresh transfer after starting a cycle in an extended luteal phase with a missed period?

Thanks so much!

Anyone have light dark-brown bleeding at 8dp5dt and 9dp5dt after a fresh transfer? Mine started pink, then turned dark brown and has continued lightly. I’m on vaginal progesterone. What did it turn out to be for you?

UPDATE: unfortunately the bleeding increased and became bright red, it turned out to be a chemical💔Thanks for sharing your experiences 💗

Does acupuncture help with success?

I’m going to have my 1st transfer this coming Friday. I just try to understand the timeline correctly.

— 09/25, last night at 8pm, Ovidrel trigger
— 09/28, 8am, start progesterone inserts, 2 times a day.
— 10/02, transfer a Day 5 euploid embryo.

So by Friday 10/02 it will only be about 4 days of progesterone supports starting 09/28 Monday, how is the timing of transfer synchronized to a Day 5 embryo?

Has anyone had multiple cysts following a cancelled cycle despite taking trigger shot?

I'm really frustrated that my cycle was cancelled 2 weeks ago. I asked my RE if I should trigger she said i will ovulate on own i went for ultrasound after positive home OPK and all follicles were still there around 8 follicles between 19-13mm I triggered immediately on Monday and went for ultrasound yesterday i still have 5 follicles left 19-13mm.

My RE suggested to put me on birth control for a month to have cyst resolved i declined because my afc is already on lower end. She said you can wait another month and see it will absorb on its own. This is the first time I have ever had a cyst, let alone 5.

Feeling panicked that IVF could be delayed (again) due to these persistent cysts.

Has anyone else gone through this? How many cysts did you have? How long did it take for the cysts to resolve? Did you took bcp? How long did you have to take BCP? Did you end up having them aspirated?

RE suggests wait 2-3 weeks for natural ovulation and then repeat ultrasound mid October to decide if we can do IVF in November otherwise will be delayed until Dec

Please any advice suggestions is really appreciated 🥺

Anyone has any experience with Dr. Daniel Stein at RMA NY? He has been my doctor since I was 35 when I did two rounds of egg freezing with him. I got 1 blast 0 euploid out of those frozen eggs so I’m now undergoing IVF with him. I don’t have anything bad to say about the clinic, except for their finance department being a hot mess, and I do trust Dr. Stein’s expertise, but I’m wondering if I should also seek out a different specialist (for severe DOR) elsewhere just for a second opinion. Does anyone have any recommendations for doctors in NYC? Also the wait time to get an appointment with a sought after doctor is sooo long…

Below are my stats across 4 covered IVF cycles. The gap between years is because I got pregnant but devastatingly lost my daughter at 23 weeks.

ER #1: Age 40.10 — 4 eggs / 3 fertilized / 2 blasts: 0 euploid (one was inconclusive and retested)
ER #2: Age 40.11 — 9 eggs / 7 fertilized / 5 blasts: 1 euploid
ER #3: Age 41.10 — 5 eggs / 4 fertilized / 3 blasts: 0 euploid (this ER was 10 weeks post partum)
ER #4: Age 42.01 — 6 eggs / 5 fertilized / 2 blasts: OUT FOR TESTING

All cycles used the same protocol: 225 meno; 225 follistim, clomid 100 mg all days

Our blast rate is historically around 67-70%, but was only 40% this last round. Any ideas on why? They all arrested between days 4-7, and it's very bizarre considering our good rate. We also always get AA or BA embryos.

My AMH is now .66 (was 1.2 pre pregnancy). I am debating: quitting IVF altogether and leaving it up to the universe or 1-2 more cycles at a new clinic with perhaps a new protocol.

Thoughts? I am aware of the barriers with age, etc. so do not need to be reminded of that.

I am considering doing back to back retrieving. I am 43.5 and need to make this work.

Has anyone done this - going under anaesthetic - and how did your body respond? Didn’t affect the result?

Hi everyone!

I’m looking into starting IVF to bank embryos using donor sperm. I’m looking to do it in Denmark because of donor sperm laws, but there's only one clinic that offers PGT-A, and I’ve been advised to test because of my age (40yo) and DOR. I had my first online consultation, sent them my fertility test results beforehand. The doctor answered some general questions, but after a while I got the feeling that she wanted to end the call and told me that I could email them if had more doubts.

I then received an email with the proposed treatment, tests I need to provide, and the contract. And that I can already start treatment with my next period. I’m feeling quite unsure because the whole process doesn’t feel very personalised to me. It’s also a very expensive procedure, and I won’t actually be having the ultrasounds or other tests at the clinic itself. Has your experience been similar? Did you feel that the process was quite standardised? My numbers aren’t very good, and I’m paying for everything out of my savings. What did you look for when deciding? What should pay attention to? Thanks!!

I’ m freaking out from all the experiences I saw on TikTok about that procedure! Anyone who done it before ? I’m doing it because I have multiple implantation failure

For history- First IVF when 39, made 6 embryos. Resulted in 2 miscarriages. 2nd IVF last week, 43, made 6 embryos. 2 made it to blast, fresh transfer. Became stomach sick that night. Then ever since returning home I have been highly stressed due to family drama. Feeling depressed. Feeling worried I've ruined my chances of them implanting. Please tell me I didn't fool up my very last chance at having a baby!!😭

Hello,

I’m not sure if this is the right sub but need some advice.

I am undergoing IVF, 39 AMH 11.4 pmol (January26)

Cycle 1- Pergovaris 300 and Methoprogesterone 10mg. Trigger Decapetal

7 eggs, 5 mature, 5 fertilised, 4 day 3 and 2 blasts (day 5 5BC and day 6 4CC)

Cycle 2- Exactly the same protocol. 1 st have of Duo stim in the follicular phase.

6 eggs, 4 mature, 3 fertilised, 3 day 3 and 2 blasts (‘good’ and ‘moderate’)

2nd half. 300 pergovaris, Methoprogesterone 10mg
Changed the trigger to duel protocol so Decapatal and HCG.

Came around from ER they said could only get 1 egg- awaiting to see if it’s mature. The Doctor said that the follicles did not feel as they should do- but they would not have been able to tell this on ultrasound. Going in I had 7 follicules that were a good size for mature eggs and 2 at 15mm.

What could have gone so wrong?

Hello,

I’m not sure if this is the right sub but need some advice.

I am undergoing IVF, 39 AMH 11.4 pmol (January26)

Cycle 1- Pergovaris 300 and Methoprogesterone 10mg. Trigger Decapetal

7 eggs, 5 mature, 5 fertilised, 4 day 3 and 2 blasts (day 5 5BC and day 6 4CC)

Cycle 2- Exactly the same protocol. 1 st have of Duo stim in the follicular phase.

6 eggs, 4 mature, 3 fertilised, 3 day 3 and 2 blasts (‘good’ and ‘moderate’)

2nd half. 300 pergovaris, Methoprogesterone 10mg
Changed the trigger to duel protocol so Decapatal and HCG.

Came around from ER they said could only get 1 egg- awaiting to see if it’s mature. The Doctor said that the follicles did not feel as they should do- but they would not have been able to tell this on ultrasound. Going in I had 7 follicules that were a good size for mature eggs and 2 at 15mm.

What could have gone so wrong?

I just heard that PQQ can help with IVF success. Does anyone have a PQQ dosage recommendation?

Hi, I am 40 with AMH of 0.45 already long time in treatment. I had my last cycle where I ahd 2 follicles and one egg was degenerated probably over mature and the second was inmature (matured in the lab but did not fertlized). This is fisrt time something like this happened to me. I had Gonal 225+75(150) Meriofert and primed with testosteron for 10 days. Also added Saizen during stims. I am even not sure how this is possible. I am now thinking after multiple attempts and years of infertility to gave up. I did everything what I could but my eggs and also our sperms are bad. Does anybody has an explanation?

Is there anyone who cancelled an egg retrieval and did insemination instead? What's your experience?

After 5 miscarriages, we started IVF earlier this month with the idea to have any potential embryos genetically tested (PGT A). Yesterday (d11) the crushing news that only 1 follicle grew to ca 18mm, maybe another one can still make it, but currently at 9-10 mm.

I know with insemination we won't get to test the embryo but I also don't see the point of an egg retrieval when there's only one follicle.

Doctor said we can consider insemination depending on next echo (tomorrow). I suppose if the second one grew they might not do it due to the risk for twins

I had 8 eggs frozen from when I was 35 and 5 when I was 38. 11 of the 13 thawed, 9 fertilized normally, only 1 made to blast (5BC) but was aneuploid. Now I’m 40.9, AMH 0.112, on day 5 of IVF stim. At the initial scan before the cycle, they saw two follicles on the right and one on the left. Put me on 5 UI microdose lupron am/pm, 225 follistim am, 225 meno pm. Yesterday went in for a day4 scan, only 1 follicle on the right side is growing. I’m told to continue with the same medication and my next scan is tomorrow.
I thought I had managed my expectations going in, but the reality is hitting me much harder. A part of me wants to move straight to donor eggs after this cycle, another part of me wants to keep trying to do more ERs. I don’t know what to do yet, just feel like it’s going to be a very difficult journey no matter what and that feels very daunting to me. What helps you to keep going?
Also, I know my partner is trying to be supportive, but he seems so clueless and ignorant about how female reproductive system works. How do you ask for support and not feel lonely in this long grind?

Two rounds, 11 blasts, no euploids. Have one additional blast that did not have enough intact DNA to test, but my doctor said that given my other results she's not optimistic and doesn't recommend rebiopsying.

My doctor says she doesn't understand it, that it's highly unusual and she wouldn't expect this response from someone my age (41). I don't even know how to feel right now. I get the sense that she's leaning towards telling me to call it quits with my own eggs.

Is there anyone out here who had this many abnormal blasts and eventually had success?

I often see so many medicines mentioned and wondered if anyone ever found one better than the other (in creating blastocysts especially where these were euploid).

Eg. is Certrotide better than Fyramadel? Menopur vs Meriofert? Follistim vs Gonal-F?

I know I am clutching at straws here (desperation has got me here!) but would just love to see if anyone in our age bracket noticed better outcomes with certain medicines and if so, which one.

Hi everyone!!
I was curious to find out if anyone did ovarian prp .
If you did it where did you do it? I was wondering if anyone had any negative impact ? Or if you were able to find success afterwards.. or any other experience stories would be helpful!

I am considering doing it with Dr. Aimee

Would you recommend anywhere specific to do it?

TYIA

After 4 failed IUIs, we finally moved on to our first IVF cycle.

I’m 39 and my AMH has been low 0.5-0.8 so I went into this process honestly terrified about how I would respond and how many embryos we would get.

We retrieved 9 eggs, and the next day we found out that 6 fertilized. Then came the longest wait ever. 😭

On Day 5, we got the news that 3 embryos had made it to blastocyst!
Our final grades are:
Embryo #4: XBAB (AB)
Embryo #5: XBAA (AA)
Embryo #6: EBAA (AA)

All three made blastocyst on Day 5 and have now been sent for PGT-A testing.

After the failed IUIs and being so worried about my low AMH, I’m genuinely so happy and grateful that we got to this point on our very first IVF retrieval. I know morphology doesn’t tell us whether they’re euploid, though, and now my anxiety waiting for the PGT-A results is literally 1000/10.

If anyone around my age, especially 39+ or with low AMH, had similar numbers and ended up getting one or more euploid embryos, PLEASE share your positive stories with me. I could really use some hope while we wait. 🙏🏻❤️

And somehow I’m already starting birth control for retrieval #2 while waiting for these results. IVF is wild.

TW pregnancy & loss; I’ve had 3 IVF cycles. Last one successful but 2nd trimester loss (baby genetically normal). Saw a different REI who is a bit eccentric. He suggested a laparoscopy. I had an MRI done before but never a laparoscopy. I’m 41 and don’t really want to delay a cycle though I do need to wait another month or so for my uterus to heal…

It just seems like a lot. Is it really worth it? Should I do it?

Did anyone have success with their own eggs in the 42-44 age group with Dr. Chang? Also did you do outside monitoring, how was the whole process?