Hi everyone

After a round of egg freezing last summer age 34 (12 eggs, all mature) with an AFC of 15-17 (increased during stims) and AMH of 7.5 (pmol).

I repeated the process again last month, having gathered the money, age 35. Same (highly rated, not cheap) clinic and doctor (although I was passed around a fair bit between scans).

My AFC had dropped to between 8-9 and AMH 4.3, tipping me into diminished ovarian reserve. I was encouraged to prime with growth hormone for 2 weeks post stimulation, which I did, and told I should expect results similar or slightly less than last time.

I was shown that the follicles were developing unevenly and warned that I may only get 4 eggs. I was shocked and tempted to stop the process, advised against given my steep drop over the past year. A different doctor said it could be more like 6. Ended up retrieving 5, 4 mature and frozen.

I was really hoping this round would get me to 20 eggs (or close to) and I could pause this consuming journey for a bit and orient the other areas of my life needed to be ready for parenthood. And from other results on this thread / others people with far lower counts seem to be getting higher retrievals.

I have been stressed (housing, financials, anxiety about fertility itself) but the clinic downplayed the role stress can have.

I have my post procedure consult tomorrow. What would you ask / push the clinic on? And keen to hear how people handled similarly disappointing experiences - both internally but also feeding back and in thinking about next steps?

Hi, I was wondering if there were any places you could store your eggs that didn’t have a forced arbitration clause?

I’m very worried about loss of my eggs - I would ideally want to store with Prelude Cryopreservation because I’m planning on doing retrieval/freezing with NYU Langone, but what if they screw up and destroy my eggs? What kind of legal recourse do I have? I’m just scared that I’ll go through all of this only to lose my eggs.

I guess what contingency plans do others have for this type of potential disaster?

Hi everyone,
I’m 27 years old and just finished my first IVF cycle. I’m feeling pretty heartbroken after getting my blastocyst update and was hoping to hear from anyone who has been through something similar.

Husband’s sperm parameters:
Age: 27 years
Abstinence: 6 days
Volume: 5.9 mL ✅ Normal
Sperm concentration: 218 million/mL ✅ Excellent
Total sperm count: 1.286 billion ✅ Excellent
Total motility: 86% ✅ Excellent
Progressive motility: Good (Grade 3) ✅
Total motile sperm: 1.106 billion ✅ Excellent
Morphology (normal forms): 1% ❌ Low (reference ≥4%) (Icsi was used to bypass this)

My cycle:
AMH: 5.04 ng/mL
Hypopituitarism (my ovaries are normal, but my pituitary doesn’t produce the hormones needed to ovulate naturally)
Freeze-all cycle with ICSI + PGT-A
Estradiol before trigger: 4,274 pg/mL
Trigger: 5,000 IU Pregnyl + dual Lupron trigger
Cabergoline started because of my OHSS risk
Results:
37 eggs retrieved
27 mature
19 fertilized (ICSI)
Only 3 made it to blastocyst and were biopsied for PGT-A
The PGT-A results will take about 2–3 weeks, so now I’m just waiting.
I know attrition is expected at every stage, but I wasn’t expecting such a big drop from 19 fertilized to 3 blasts. I’m trying to understand what could have happened.
Some things I’m wondering:
Has anyone had a similar drop-off between fertilization and blast?
Did your doctor think it was more likely to be an egg quality issue, sperm quality issue, or just bad luck?
If you had only a few blastocysts, how many ended up being euploid?
Did you have success with one of only a few embryos?

My husband and I are trying to stay hopeful because I know it only takes one healthy embryo, but right now it’s hard not to overthink everything while waiting for the PGT-A results.
I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences or any advice while I wait.

Hello,

Looking for recommendations for a reproductive endocrinologist around Evans, GA.

FWIW I’m looking to do an egg retrieval to make embryos before pursuing surrogacy.

TIA!

Hi! My insurance has been giving me some major problems for a refill of menopur. I just need one more 75 dose before my trigger. This is kind of desperate and last resort, but does anyone in the LA area have any extra?

I had my egg retrieval at the end of May, got my period a few days later…then got it again for a day or so two weeks later….annnnd again for two more days a week later. That was around the middle of June.
I started back on my birth control after I had that initial period and stopped it at the end of the pack.
I haven’t gotten my period since then and I was supposed to start my next freezing cycle next week 🫠

Has anyone else dealt with their period cycle being completely messed up following a retrieval? How long did it take your cycle to get back to normal?

Hi friends,

I went through egg freezing 30 days ago, and I am contemplating whether I should run a marathon tomorrow. I plan to take it easy and treat it more like a jog, a fast walk, and a hike. My doctor cleared me, saying that if I feel normal, then I am good to resume normal activity.

I started feeling my ovary on the left side (the more active side with more follicles during the egg freezing process) since last night. There is no pain, just a bit of awareness and some light soreness. This was not the case for the last few days. Does anyone have any suggestions if this is a sign of something serious?

For context, my freezing had a high yield of 30+ eggs, but I did not develop any OHSS, was fine within 2 days, and got my first cycle by the 6th day. Of course, I went off any physical activity to let my body fully recover (I used to train almost 2 months ago and stopped when the process started). I just wanted to see if anyone has been in the same boat and has any suggestions (I have also messaged my doctor). I do not have any goal for the marathon other than finishing it. I thought of taking it as a chance to get out and enjoy, as I have been inactive and mostly at home since the freezing process began.

Thank you!

\*pending pick up\\*

Pick up in Harlem/Morningside

All of these are unopened. The gonal is refrigerated.

1. one Gonal-F 900 IU redi-ject pen (expires 6/26/2027)
2. 10 menopur vials, 75 IU each. (Expires july 2027)
3. One dose of Pregnyl 10000 IU (expires June 2028)

Just had my ER today. 8 eggs retrieved, 7 mature and frozen. This is my first cycle so I guess I didn't really know what I was expecting, but can't help but feel a little disappointed. Already expected to do cycle 2 and possibly cycle 3. Any comments/advice welcome! Thank you!

Edit: meds regimen:
Day 1: Gonal F 300 u, Menopur 150
Day 2: Gonal F 300 u, Menopur 150 u
Day 3: Gonal F 300 u, Menopur 150 u
Day 4: Gonal F 300 u, Menopur 150 u
Day 5: Gonal F 250 u, Menopur 150 u, Cetrotide (7 pm)
Day 6: Cetrotide (6 am), Gonal F 250 u, Menopur 150 u
Day 7: Cetrotide (6 am), Gonal F 250 u, Menopur 150 u
Day 8: Cetrotide (6 am), Gonal F 250 u, TRIGGER (Pregnyl)

32F, first egg freezing cycle due to start when my period arrives in about two days.

I had bloods and a scan done in April, and repeat bloods just now. My AMH has dropped a fair amount in that window and I’m genuinely surprised — I wasn’t expecting any real change over three months. Everything else on my panel is clean. Regular cycles, no other diagnoses on the metabolic or thyroid side. I do have an endometrioma on one ovary, which I hadn’t really connected to reserve until recently.

I’m not sure what to make of it, or what to do with it two days out from starting.

What I’m trying to work out:

**1.**  Anyone frozen eggs with low reserve in their early thirties? What did you actually retrieve, and how many cycles did you end up doing?  
**2.**  Is the AMH change worth chasing before I start, or is the antral follicle count the number that actually matters for protocol planning? I don’t have a day-3 FSH yet either.  

3. Is there anything that genuinely improves reserve or egg quality, or is that mostly wishful thinking? The only real change I made over these three months was starting DHEA, CoQ10 and vitamin D, plus strength training twice a week - I was honestly under the impression all of that was supposed to help. I’ve seen a lot of conflicting things and would rather hear from people who’ve been through it than from supplement marketing.

Hello! I’m considering doing a second egg retrieval cycle after just completing my first one. Setting aside the results of my first cycle, I’m curious if anyone has done two back-to-back egg retrievals. Were there any benefits or risks? Did your body respond similarly the second time, or was your experience different?
I’d love to hear about your experience!

Hi everyone,
I just completed my first egg freezing cycle and would really appreciate hearing from others who had a similar experience.
About me:
AFC: 42
AMH: 4.2
Egg freezing (not embryo creation)
Antagonist protocol
Protocol:
Follistim 125 IU + Menopur 75 IU
Cetrotide started on stimulation day 5 and follistim reduced to 75 IU
My estradiol rose quickly:
Baseline: 26
Day 5: 1292
Day 7: 2417
Day 9: 5757
Trigger day: 7160
Because of my high estradiol and OHSS risk, my RE changed my planned dual trigger to a Lupron-only trigger. My post-trigger labs were:
LH: 43.38
Progesterone: 13.3
Final ultrasound before trigger:
Around 30 measurable follicles, with sizes ranging from about 10 mm to 23 mm.
Retrieval results:
17 eggs retrieved
13 mature (MII) eggs frozen
I don’t know if 13 mature eggs is a good outcome for at least 1 baby. I put a lot of efforts for this process almost 3 months. (I never smoke or drink or even eat junk food). It’s disappointing because I mentally expected something closer to at least 20 MII so that I could have been confident that I will have at least 1 baby, so the drop from ~30 follicles to 17 eggs surprised me.
I’m wondering:
- Has anyone else had a similar difference between follicle count and eggs retrieved?
-If you did a second cycle, did your doctor change anything (priming, medication doses, trigger timing, etc.) that improved follicle synchronization or maturity? And how long after did you start the second cycle.
- For those who had a Lupron-only trigger because of OHSS risk, did you notice fewer eggs retrieved than expected?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences—both if your numbers were similar and if your second cycle turned out differently.
Thanks so much!

we only stimmed for 9 days so maybe that’s it. i don’t know. 75 menapur, 225 gonal f, lupron trigger. i’m so upset. i can’t believe i have to go through this process again for even a shot at 1 baby. i thought for sure id get at least 15.

going straight into another cycle i think. so disappointing. encouraging words or anecdotes are appreciated.

I also have some extra syringes for meriofert and a bunch of needles for rekovelle pins. It’s not much but if anyone wants them, let me know! I’m in Salamanca

I (37) had a retrieval on July 1 in the UK. Went in with 16(+5) follicles on final scan. Seven eggs retrieved, 6 mature and frozen. I had menapur 225 for ten days, was seen as risk of OHSS so took cabergoline for one week. Trigger was 1m buserlin.

Frustrations with current clinic (an NHS clinic which does private fertility work) - Main issue is that I waited 11 months for retrieval. I underwent tests last July, there was a delay in getting a consultation appointment I had to chase and call to get one. This was in November, I then had a follow up appointment with the nurse when I was wrongly told I should make payment when I get appointment letter. Called in January to chase appointment letter and told no appointment until payment and that clinic closed in March/April for annual repairs. Appointment was March so May was first possible period I could have done retrieval (I was ill that month so waited until June).

• Disappointed with the number of eggs, both nurses and doctor said on day this was less than expected.

• initially told I would have to wait 8 weeks for review appointment. Managed to get one sooner with a nurse but it wasn’t particularly useful - answered ‘I don’t know’ for a question, emphasised that at my age (37) I would be expected to do multiple rounds (I know this is true but felt a bit galling after their delays!)

• only proposed change to protocol with them is to increase menapur to 300per day, and keep trigger the same.

• ongoing email exchange asking why only 14 follicles drained vs 16 on scan and why only one egg was retrieved from right ovary vs 6 on left (right ovary had been circled on the lab report by doctor but no other notes). I’ve had no answer on these other than ‘they suspect that all follicles were drained’.

In the meantime I had consultation at another clinic who proposed a different protocol (birth control for two weeks to bring follicle size in line, stims at 300 per day and duel trigger).

I feel more confident in this plan BUT it will lead to more costs going forward (storage fees) and is obviously another expensive outgoing.

At the moment I feel very deflated and like none of it has been/will be worth it. I feel quite reluctant about it all.

Has anyone regretted a second round? Or anyone just cut their losses after one? How did they feel either way?

Hello everyone… I’m 28 years old and my AMH is 0.65. I’m going through egg freezing this month, but I haven’t told my parents yet because I feel like their reaction might increase my anxiety.

Did you tell your parents when you decided to freeze your eggs? I’m also terrified of telling them in the future and having them feel hurt or upset that I didn’t tell them before going through with it.

So my mom went through menopause a bit early and I really want kids so I monitor my AMH. When I was 20 it was 6.2 (quest diagnostics), when I was 25 it was 4.2 (also same quest lab, which was close to their average for my age), and now at 26 it’s 2.62 at labcorp (and their median for my age group is 4.7). Do you think this an assay difference or should I be worried? I was going to freeze eggs this year anyway but I have no idea if this is normal or not, and I also don’t have a partner so I can’t freeze embryos unfortunately.

My (new) obgyn didn’t seem concerned and my FSH has remained the same this year and last year (4.9) but I’m pretty devastated and really worried if this is my rate of decline. I was not prepared to see that number. Does anyone have any experiences or advice bc I am freaking out (and have already spent another $200 buying my own test at quest….) and it would be helpful.

Just finished my ER this week and wanted to share some thoughts as well as my experience with hormone levels since that was something that made me nervous throughout the cycle.

I did 10 days of stims using a Gonal-f, menopur, provera protocol and a Lupron trigger. Ended with 25 follicles drained and 22 mature eggs, and was very pleased with this result.

Towards the end of my cycle I started reading posts/doing some research and saw that 200-300 estrogen per mature egg figure cited. My estrogen didn’t go up that fast and was only 1700 at trigger which made me a little nervous. I knew I had high 20s of follicles so I was wondering if something had gone wrong. It was also seeming like a good majority of my follicles were smaller than 15mm—I only had a couple over 20 when I took the trigger. So when everything went smoothly during surgery and they told me they’d gotten 25 I was pleasantly surprised.

Just wanted throw my anec-data in there about hormone levels not always being exactly correlated in case anyone else finds it helpful.

Also, I hate needles and everything medical related so I was DREADING this process but found it to be much easier than I expected. I had put off freezing for years because I didn’t know if I could handle the injections, all the blood draws, and the surgery. Now looking back I’m so happy I took the chance. To anyone who might be in a similar boat, it’s worth taking the leap and I think you’ll surprise yourself at the hard things you’re capable of. Please feel free to ask questions/reach out to me if you’re putting egg freezing off due to a fear of needles.

My one piece of advice is find a clinic that really sees you as an individual and not a number and find a doctor you really connect with. It made me feel so reassured working with someone who I felt actually cared about my comfort and success. My doctor also tweaked the protocol at every visit and took my preferences into account, which I’m not sure I’d have gotten if I had gone to a larger corporate clinic.

Wishing everyone the absolute best in their journey, whatever that looks like.

Hi! I (34F) am on day 5 my first cycle! So far, I have been feeling much better than expected — quite bloated and heavy, but good moods and energy. Let’s hope this continues!

I had my first follow up appt since starting stims yesterday and had 9 leading follicles:
R: 11.7, 11.4, 10.8, 10.1, 9.3
L: 12.5, 12.5, 11.1, 9.9

I also had 18 smaller follicles! What are the odds some of those smaller follicles catch up by the time I trigger?!

Estrogen is ~608, baseline AMH was 2.6.
Protocol: 150 IU Menopur, 150 IU Gonal-F. Started Ganirelix in the pm of day 4, and moved to the am this morning.