QuestionQUESTION: Dear Doctor
I had my firts unsuccessful IVF treatment 3 month ago.
The reason I went for IVF treatment was that my partner had vasectomy operation 18 year ago. We tried re-versal vasectomy twice unsuccessful as well.
The doctor decided to do flare protocol for me. I am 37 years old I only remember that my FSH level on day 3 was 9.7.
I had 15 eggs only 6 fertilized. I had 3 days transfer 2 embryos grade 4A. One embryo made it to day 5, grade 3AB.
Please let me know if that protocol was write for me or is any other different protocol I could do next time.
Please advice if I should start new protocol or do the one let frozen embryo transfer.
Many thanks
Ewelina
ANSWER: Hello Ewelina from the U.K.,
You need to understand that because of your age, you have a decreased chance of pregnancy because your eggs are older. As such, poor quality eggs will lead to poor quality embryos. That does not mean that you cannot get pregnant. It means that it will be more difficult to get pregnant because the goal is to find the good egg. There was a nice study done in 37 year old IVF patients that showed that only 2 of 10 embryos were genetically normal. With IVF you are trying to find those two. If a lot of eggs are not retrieved or not a lot of them fertilize, then your chances are reduced for that cycle. The only way to be successful is to keep trying, so please understand that it may take several attempts.
In terms of the frozen embryo, it is worth trying because it has a chance to be successful. There is not way to know until you give it a try. A recent study out of Europe showed a higher pregnancy rate with frozen embryos than with fresh embryos so it is worth giving it a try.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf. Skype and internet comprehensive consultations now available via my website for those who want a more extensive evaluation that this site can accommodate
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you very much for very speed answer.
I would like to ask you if is anything to improve the egg quality.
Vitamins diet etc or any medications I could use.
Thank you
Ewelina
AnswerHello Ewelina,
There is nothing proven that can increase egg quality. However, a recent study in mice showed that taking CoQ10 600 mg per day, increased egg quality in older mice compared to mice that didn't take it. Because there are no side effects or adverse effects from CoQ10, I have recommended that my older patients take this supplement each day.
Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf. Skype and internet comprehensive consultations now available via my website for those who want a more extensive evaluation that this site can accommodate
