Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

I am hoping to get some advice/ support from people who have gone through this already. I am 33.5 years old and was told I have low ovarian reserves. Last FSH count was 8.8 with AMH 0.4. My first egg freezing cycle I was only able to produce 6 eggs, of which only 5 extracted (4 mature with 1 immature). My second cycle was canceled since they only saw 4 eggs (2 large ones and 2 small ones). I went in for my ultrasound today for my third cycle and I only have 3 eggs this time (1 large and 2 small). This has been an emotionally, devastating experience for me. Dr. told me based on my prior cycles I will not produce many eggs and truthfully I am not a good candidate for egg freezing or IVF. Iv been dating someone new for 2.5 months but havent shared this with him yet. Honestly, I am still trying to come to grips with possibility of not having biological kids of my own. I also can't help but worry no guy would want be with me if I can't give him kids. My question is- should I proceed with 3rd cycle only having 3 eggs with no guarantee all 3 will be harvested, I go to NYU fertility or just give up and come to terms with donor eggs/ adoption. I'm not ready get pregnant now (at least not on my own- sperm donor/ freeze embryos). I thought about New Hope Fertility but I can't take another round of disappointment/ meds (my body is worn down). Emotionally and psychologically I am exhausted. What would you do?! I need my spirit lifted. Thanks

Message edited 6/15/2015 3:17:38 PM.

Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

I wasn't in your situation, but if I was, I would continue banking my eggs. I would also look into accupuncture - I have heard of it helping quality immensely. I used Andy Kaplan in RVC while undergoing my 2nd IVF and I loved him. Several girls on here have used him too.

I wouldn't give up just yet. I think you're doing a great job by being proactive and thinking ahead. If you're rundown I would suggest taking a break - give your body/mind time to heal and then maybe do another round. Good luck to you!

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

Message edited 6/15/2015 3:15:23 PM.

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

You are only 33; I would not give up so quickly to go the Donor route. Although your AMH is low; your FSH is still pretty decent.

I would also look into taking some supplements and antioxidants for egg quality. For starters; start taking N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC). After 3 months, taking one pill a day (600 mg); I guarantee you will see your AMH go up.

Maybe wait until your next banking session until you try to increase your #'s!

You definitely still have a chance! And I say good for you for being so proactive!

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

I'd ask about how they could change your stim protocol.
An egg is an egg. You only need 1 good one to get pregnant. (I totally understand the disappointment though).

When you find the right guy, they will love you... No matter how you end up having kids.

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

Message edited 6/15/2015 3:23:21 PM.

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

Message edited 6/15/2015 3:25:26 PM.

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

I did two rounds of IVF with no viable eggs to store and I am also almost 34. I have low ovarian reserve also. Just so you know, girls with this need their estrogen checked also bc a high estrogen can make your FSH appear to be lower than it really is. My FSH was in the 8-10 range but my estrogen was high so it was most likely much higher than that in reality.
I would keep banking if I were you. Even if you can bank a few eggs at a time, all you need is one to get pregnant and time is everything for someone with low reserve. I was not successful with banking but you seem to be getting some eggs so keep going. Hoping everything works out for you. I know it's emotionally exhausting but it's worth the effort in the end.

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

I'm sorry It most certainly is emotionally devastating to find this out and totally unfair.

My advice is, yes, keep banking, but maybe don't waste your money this round? Since you're not on a total time crunch, it's worth it to go for your antral follicle count each cycle day 3 and proceed with stims only during cycles when your ovaries are looking their most active. Unfortunately eggs don't handle freezing as well as embryos, so it's hard to know how things will go once you're ready to use them, but this is at least a chance to preserve this possibility for yourself. I also recommend transferring your eggs out to a better lab once you're ready to fertilize, grow, and transfer since NYU's lab is just okay. Lab is everything when your eggs are fragile since the IVF process itself is hard on them.

With all that said, take comfort in the fact that advances in this industry happen quickly, so you are in a position to take advantage of whatever improvements in lab conditions, protocol, embryo culture, and equipment are implemented in the country's best labs during the time between now and when you're ready for children. It's also important to know that your hormone levels only tell us quantity but not much about quality. You won't really know about that second most important factor until you wake them up to actually try to get pregnant. I have seen lots of girls your age get discouraged by the low number of eggs retrieved but go on to have healthy babies, and, in general, your age puts you at an advantage even if your reserve is that of an older woman.

FM any time if you need support or guidance!

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

My last cycle, my AMH was .26. It yielded the best results I've ever had (15R, 11M, 8 fertilized). My DS is the result of that cycle and we have 3 frozen. AMH/FSH gives an idea, but I know people with better numbers than I had who had worse results. Also, I was 39 during that cycle.

The point I'm trying to make is that you don't have to give up at this point. Maybe you want to consider a consult elsewhere.

Personally, I would cancel this cycle. My first was cancelled due to poor response and I'm glad it was.

Message edited 6/15/2015 6:58:06 PM.

Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

I am sorry you are going through this. I too have low ovarian reserve and poor quality. As another poster said it really just takes one. My first cycle I had 6 eggs and was only able to come up with one embie on Transfer day. My second cycle I had 4 and two poor quality embies. My last cycle I had 3 embies that were great. My third cycle I saw a different dr and i think b/c of the protocol it made a huge difference. I encourage you to go see another dr for a consult. I worked with Dr. Steven Palter in Woodbury and he was great...gave me ton of options. I would say look into Accupunture, DHEA and make sure all of your bloodwork is 'normal'. If you have insurance for egg collection i would say go for it and collect as many as you can. I paid OOP for all of my cycles/meds and i wish i was told years ago to bank some eggs! GL

Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

Thanks everyone for your support and kindness. Ultrasound today with follicle at 18 and other two 11.5 and 10.5. Told by Dr.(not my own btw) to cancel because most likely just bank 1 egg which will be 2nd cycle canceled. Should I try egg freezing again couple months down road- thinking of switching RE to someone more focused on women with low ovarian reserves. Or just save money and try in year with IVF with either sperm donor or let's see where current relationship goes. Down and out for the moment.

Message edited 6/17/2015 12:24:09 PM.

Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing

Personal opinion if you have low ovarian reserve and only producing 3 follicles I wouldn't wait a year to store your eggs. I would bank as many as you can now.

Re: Low Ovarian Reserve- 33.5 years old- Egg Freezing