Is it POF? What is wrong with me?

[diana0319]

I am 34. I went through 7 IUI's in 2005, and 2 IVF Cycles. Both cycles produced 10 eggs, 4 fertilized. I got pregnant on IVF#2 when 4 embies were transferred and now have a wonderful son who is 3. I tried in 2007 for IVF #3 and only had 1 egg. What the hell? My RE kept pushing and saying I should go for an Egg Donor. Egg donor? I am only 34. My FSH at the highest was only 9.8? So what is going on?
I changed to a new RE in 2008, had a hysteroscopy and laparoscopy for scar tissue and endometriosis. I just wen through IVF #4. or so you can call it. My estrogen was very low, and my progesterone actually started increasing...I ovulated during the stimulation and the cycle was cancelled. I am so pissed because I actually had 3 Eggs! That is great for me. I just took a test called OAR, Ovarian Assessment Report which apparently can tell how many eggs you have left in your system and what the viability is of them. My Dr. just told me that I was below normal, but not terrible. So why can't I produce Eggs? I just don't understand. The weird thing is, my periods are the opposite of everyone with POF, I get it all the time. When I was 17 I went on BP's because I would have my period for 10 days and get it every 14. Since I went off of BP's at 26, my periods have been so spot on, every 25 days and would last for 4. Over the last 2 - 3 years, I get it every 20-24 days. I have it alot, so how can I be in Ovarian Failure as my Dr. calls it. This is the second opinion that I got too. I am getting ready to start IVF #5 and am scared to death as this is my last chance. I am out of Money and out of Hope. I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that I can't have more children. I am devastated that my son will be an only child and feel even worse that I feel that way because I feel like I am selfish. I really want another child really for my son, as I grew up with 3 brothers and I loved having all of the activity in the house. I could use some words of encouragement or hope. Anyone have similar situations and have a good outcome? Does anyone have any suggestions for improving the quality of what I do have? Should I not take herbs/supplements while I am going through the suppression/stimulation? I am going back to protocol number 1 which is the Lupron Start. Last month I did a BP start and bled right through the pills. I am scared to death. Any advice/Stories?

[Montygat]

You might want to check out the High FSH board, even though you don't have high FSH.

A couple of things to remember. First, unfortunately, just because you don't have high FSH doesn't mean you'll respond well to stimulation. Secondly, having shorter cycles and getting your periods closer together is actually a symptom of POF, but not always. Menstruating more frequently isn't necessarily better; it doesn't mean that your ovaries are working more or better.

And I've been dx'd with POF/ High FSH for almost 2 years now and been through a lot of tests. What is this OAR you're talking about? I've never heard of it couched in that manner. Usually to assess ovarian reserve, bloodwork is taken on cycle day 3 which includes measurement of FSH, Estridiol, and LH. Additionally, an ultrasound of the ovaries to count the antral follicles is taken- you probably already know this as you've been through stimulation cycles. Lastly, there's one other test that I can't think of the name of right now, but all of these results put together give a better idea of ovarian reserve. And no one can tell you exactly how many eggs you have left, nor can they really tell the quality unless they're taking them out of you to examine them. From these results they can tell you that you have fewer than average, but they can't tell you QUALITY unless they take them out, like during an IVF retrieval.

As for the protocol, have you ever done the antagonist protocol or the estrogen priming protocol? Lupron protocols generally don't work as well with poor responders (high FSH or not). I know on the high FSH board we've had the most success with those two protocols. The microdose Lupron protocol was a DISASTER for me; I got pregnant doing the antagonist.

As for donor egg- of course you want to try all options with your own eggs. But DE is a fantastic option, one that my husband and I were about to take, literally, but our 4th "oh-well-let's-do-one-last-cycle" IVF worked. We had literally all but paid for our donor- we had her chosen, we had met with the agencies. I was only 34 when my first FSH reading came back at 45- no one in my family has this; we have girls on our board as young as 21 and we have women with diminished ovarian reserve who have recently had children. It really, unfortunately, doesn't discriminate.

If you would like to check out some success stories, you should stop by the high FSH board. There are a lot of good women there who have been through/ seen it/ heard it all. The "High FSH Hope" thread is a thread where everyone is welcome- people who have been successful conceiving as well as those who have not. The "High FSH Cyclers" thread is a safe thread where talk of children and pregnancy is avoided and is a safe haven for someone who doesn't have children or can't conceive when they're having a really bad day or just doesn't want to deal with any sort of pg/ parenting talk.

Best Wishes!!!