Is IVF worth a shot if there's likely something "wrong" with your eggs?

[Stanley38]

We've been trying for over 3 years without ever becoming pregnant. It's "unexplained" after going through all NHS tests but it's obvious to me there is something going on with me because, although I have a 28 day cycle I don't ovulate until day 19 or so. Therefore I have a very short luteal phase. In the NHS's eyes, my cycle is a normal length and I do ovulate, therefore all is well

I believe the cause of this short luteal phase will be why we can't get pregnant. So for example, poor follicle production which leads to low progesterone and a short luteal phase.

I have tried Clomid and Letrozole for several months and so have had ovulation stimulated in this way, but there was no change. Ovulation occurred at the same time and progesterone remained only just above 20 at its peak.

So my question is, if the issue is likely with your eggs and you haven't responded to ovulation induction, then is IVF worth considering? When they harvest the eggs, if they are "poor" for whatever reason then this issue still exists right?

I guess it depends what your fsh and amh levels are

Get these done and talk to consultant

I was always day 16-17 of period and 28days

People assume day 14 and unless do ovulation tests you won't know

But I'm assuming ivf with own eggs won't be a problem as the clinic will shit down and control your body - unless the above tests come back with results that say otherwise

Have you tried acupuncture? I found it excellent for fertility, and balancing the hormones and cycle, and extending the luteal phase is something they excel at.

Stanley, I see your logic but it might be that there's nothing wrong with your eggs. Some people just take longer to ovulate (I do). You might just have a progesterone issue which could be relatively simply addressed with extra progesterone. Or it could be a million other reasons or combination of reasons.

IVF is probably worth a shot because it is diagnostic as well as a treatment - there are things you can't know until you do it. There are also loads of different protocols which stimulate eggs to grow much better than they would normally.

We are also "unexplained" after 3 years, but so far in treatment they haven't found any real problem (I thought maybe I had bad quality eggs but this cycle they fertilised and developed fine). I was a poor responder to stims tho despite a reasonable AMH so maybe there's something in that, IDK. Our consultant still thinks the most likely explanation is that nothing is wrong and we've just had bad luck

I drive myself mad too trying to figure out why the hell we've never got pregnant but ATEOTD it hasn't helped me and if IVF works then that will be good enough for me. After 3 years I'd probably say to you it's worth a try. Good luck xx

Thank you for your thoughts and advice- I really appreciate hearing from people with first hand experience. I think I will also have to bite the bullet on the whole acupuncture thing because I am recommended it so often!

Stanley I am a bit of an acupuncture evangelist, as it has come good for me on several debilitating 'chronic' conditions that conventional medicine couldn't touch the sides on, as well as for fertility.

I know it's a bit off-putting to think about forking out for yet another treatment when you are uncertain of the outcome, but if you haven't tried it yet I would really urge you to give it a go. It is very relaxing, strangely enough, and actually a half hour of profound rest that chills you out for the rest of the day is beneficial in itself when going through the stress of finding it hard to ttc.

If you are in London I can give you feedback on some people, if that is helpful. Just drop me a pm if you like.

I hope it's good news for you very soon.

I had a similar issue - very late ovulation and short luteal phase. At the time I took a concoction of supplements which did seem to lengthen it slightly but still - no pregnancy.

When we started our IVF protocol they finally tested DHs sperm properly and discovered 95% anti sperm antibodies. In short, a way more serious problem than the short luteal phase. We will never conceive naturally with those antibody results.

We had ICSI last year and froze 4 excellent quality embryos. One of them is dressed in a bear onesie and bashing a plastic piano right now...

Yes - in my view it's worth a shot. It may not work out but from my experience a short luteal phase was just one factor in a complicated picture, and one the medical intervention overcame.

Good luck

Opposite to Estelle above, I hated acupuncture. I tried it specifically for the short luteal phase problem as well. It could well work out for you, so could be worth a try.

Stanley you'll never know the quality of your eggs until you have IVF. I was referred for male factor issues but it turns out that there is an egg quality issue too. Every cycle I've had a high proportion of immature eggs that can't be used for ICSI, but a good fertilisation rate of those that are mature. In the last 2 cycles, I've ended up with just one viable embryo each time. What you've described doesn't indicate that your egg quality is poor at all.

PS. I'm pro-acupuncture. For both pregnancies I had it immediately after embryo transfer which I believe helped them stick.