Low antral follicle count

[Hawse]

Hi everyone,

Went in for a first consultation with a private IVF clinic, and everything seemed to be good (I have age and bmi on my side). My AMH levels have come back normal, as have all the other bloods. However, they then did the ultrasound, and it was not good. They could only find 4 follicles on my left ovary and 1 on my right. They explained that this might correlate to poor egg reserve. The private clinic said they'd speak to the doctors to see if I'd even be a candidate for their IVF packages. Cue me being absolutely shocked as I didn't think it was this bad. I've done some reading in the last 24 hours, and medical studies have also shown that low follicle count is also associated with low success rate with IVF. . Has anyone else had low AFC and had success with IVF? Which clinic did you use? Just really hoping that given I have some follicles still left that I have a bit of time and hope.

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

AFC is generally a better indicator of fertility than AMH levels - however it's usually AMH that IVF clinics have a cut off below which they won't treat

You can try taking DHEA which is supposed to be good for AFC

It does mean you may respond poorly in which case you'd be better off doing short protocol mild ivf which works with what you've got rather than forcing you to produce an unnatural amount of eggs which may not be mature/poor quality anyway - focus on quality not quantity

[Lauren83]

As you know your AFC is your potential for egg production so you are likely to get anything up to 5 eggs, occasionally another follicle can appear and sometimes you may have another sonographer who counts slightly different, your AMH should go in your favour though and hopefully you will get good quality eggs, better to have 4 or 5 good ones than 10 average ones

[Freewanderer]

How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?
Don’t lose hope. I was 37 and my AFC was only 4 (amh less 2). I was advised to go for a long protocol and ivf worked first time.
Also, these numbers don’t rule out a natural pregnancy because I’m pregnant again naturally. I stressed a lot back then, but have come to realise that the numbers you get given don’t mean you can or can’t have a baby. It may just be more difficult sometimes. Good luck x

[Ilikeviognier]

My afc was 6.
I responded badly to the Ivf and only produced 2 eggs.however one of those became an embryo and is now starting school next week.

I also had 2 natural pregnancies. One of which was after 1 month of trying. All is not lost, quality is the most important.

[Hawse]

Thanks everyone, you've been very kind.

@Freewanderer - I am 32, so you can imagine my shock at being told its already this bad.

[Lauren83]

My AFC was 4 at 28, I did try own eggs twice but then moved onto donor eggs, on my third donor egg cycle I had a baby and then did catch naturally when he was 8 months, low AFC doesn't always mean you will struggle naturally but it does reduce your chances with assisted conception.

[Freewanderer]

At least you are young. Even if investigations reveal a low egg reserve, you are more likely to have good quality eggs than someone older than you (for example late 30s). It’s so stressful though, no matter how much people try to reassure you of the positives.

[Mseddy]

Hey. I can't offer any wisdom as I'm yet to start any treatment. But we are in the same boat so I thought id offer a hand hold. We are having fertility treatment for male factor. I'm 30 and regular as clockwork so didn't forsee and problems with me, the clinic initially didn't test my AMH because in her words im "young fit and fertile". Fast forward to the scan and I only have 6 one side and 3 the other. I did loads of reading, stressed myself out loads, and didn't feel any better for it! I have my consultation following that result in 2 weeks time where I'll hopefully be told the implications of what this means for our journey as a whole so I can keep you posted if you like.
In the meanwhile I realised that I'm likely to get fewer eggs so I want them to be top quality. I've started taking extra supplements and given up alcohol and coffee! I figured it's what I'll give up when pregnant anyway, may as well start now!

[BabySweet85]

Hi

I thought i would join this thread as things are similar from me. All my Levels are fine so far. I have had hsc, iron, ovulation, chlamydia tests done and nothing alarming. When i had my scan it showed a polyp of about 1cm in my uterus and that i only have 5 or 6 follicle sacks in total. The doctor told me that ideally i would have 5 or 6 on each side. Obviously this has really upset me and all I can think about. We tend to focus on the negative. I am 34 years old so didn't think it was too late. My partner is still to have his semen analysis. Any updates for others would be great.