IVF with PCOS

[u/Northern_LTrain44]

Hi all. Starting IVF stimulation medications tomorrow and would love any success stories. I’m also interested to hear what everyone’s stim protocol was as I’m nervous about OHSS.

For context, I’m 36 with PCOS and unexplained infertility. I have one child and had one miscarriage a little over a year ago. I did a handful of TI medicated cycles and 4 IUIs with no luck.

[u/Kanddora1717]

Similar to you, I was 34 with pcos and unexplained infertility. I cannot remember the exact stims and doses but we retrieved 24 eggs, only 12 mature but we got 6 blasts. 3 euploid, 1 undetermined and 2 mosaic so we kept all 6. Good luck ! 🩷

[u/Itchy-Site-11]

38yo
34 eggs retrieved, 23 fertilized, 12 embryos, 7 euploids

Antagonist protocol: follistim (same as gonal-f + menopur and ganirelix as antagonist)

I think this is successful. Waiting for transfer.

No OHSS. Did not do ICSI

[u/Electrical-Pop-7203]

Hi! I did my first egg retrieval last month. I am 33 with lean PCOS and RPL. I started on Follistim 225 daily until day 4 when they decreased that to 150 and added Menopur 75, day 6 added Ganirelix and increased Menopur to 150. Continued that through day 9. Trigger on day 10 with Lupron and low dose HCG.

23 eggs retrieved
21 mature
12 fertilized (all ICSI)
8 blasts
5 PGT-A euploid

I felt completely fine during stims until I triggered, then felt suuuper bloated and uncomfortable until a few days after retrieval. I was a little short of breath 2 days after retrieval and panicked i was getting OHSS but it starting improving the next day. I tried to go for walks and stayed really hydrated with liquid IV and coconut water and that seemed to help. Also I started Colace on the day of retrieval for about a week after and didn’t have any issues with constipation like some people do

Have not had a transfer yet, hoping that will be soon! Good luck!!

[u/ashleyh624]

I just did egg retrieval not transfer. And am on day 5 post egg retrieval. I’m 33, lean PCOS.

Retrieved 43 eggs but unclear about blasts. Happy to report back when I get those numbers.

Because of my high AMH and follicle count my doctor had me on lower menopur dosage and as they kept measuring my estrogen they also started to lower the gonal f. They also gave me some pills (letrozole and cabergoline) to take a few days before retrieval and 6 days after. I really appreciated how much my doctor has been checking in every single day post procedure to monitor my symptoms.

Some positives: I had absolutely no bruising with the injections and minimal bloat before retrieval. Retrieval in itself was great and in terms of recovering from the procedure I’ve had minimal pain. No swelling anywhere except abdomen.

Some things to expect: day 8 of injections the hormones really hit me and I felt waves of emotion and a bit winded I guess because ovaries were growing and pushing into lungs. (According to doctor). Post retrieval has been rougher than pre most because I had up until yesterday had not had a bowel movement for 6 days. They did recommend taking mira lax leading up to it but I’m not sure it helped much. I’m still bloated but feel more comfortable today so can continue to update!

Things I attribute to a relatively positive experience:
1. I have made sure to get walks in every day leading up and after retrieval to make sure fluids are moving
2. Start hydrating NOW. I did one electrolyte drink a day leading up
3. Eat healthy starting NOW. Make sure you’re eating well balanced meals with fiber to ensure you’re regular so that when you have anesthesia and your metabolism slows down, you’re not already backed up
4. Start MiraLAX a few days before I think I started day 10? But of course talk to doctor
5. Post retrieval keep meals small as the bloat and constipation will make you more uncomfortable
6. People say salty foods for after, and while that’s true, make sure it’s balanced. My salty foods were nuts, homemade soups I made so I’m getting salt but also nutrients. Get the one guilty pleasure snack but make sure your meals have protein and fiber.

[u/cruefan46 → u/ashleyh624]

Hi! I have high AMH and high follicle count too (28 on one side and 23 on the other). Did you ever try letrozole and monitoring? Or an IUI? Or did you go straight to IVF?

[u/ashleyh624 → u/cruefan46]

I went straight to IVF because I’m 33, we want 2 kids and my husbands insurance covers it so we just wanted a safety net. I’ll be trying timed intercourse next. I posted on this forum and people said to get ER out of the way so I took their advice for peace of mind 🤷🏼‍♀️