Low Ovarian Reserve Post Reply

[Cassie88]

Hi, I’m looking for advice.

I’m 32 and after a few months of trying I had a feeling something was wrong. I went to Newlife who confirmed I have a low ovarian reserve (2 and 3). AMH 4.18 and FSH 14.1. And my partner had no sperm. I was shocked so didn’t ask any questions and the Dr didn’t offer any advice other than there’s no point in trying anymore…
My partner is seeing a Urologist and I’ve booked a consultation with Lister. I’m just wondering if anyone can recommend any successful treatment without forking out for IVF? I also have a BMI of 39 and am trying to get it down but am worried about how much time is left for my eggs. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Google tells me different things. Dr Robert Winston seems to have a negative view on everything. I’m just stuck on where to get advice from. I feel completely in the dark and a bit alone to be honest. Thank you x

[bunny200]

Hello,

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I was also 32 when I was told I have low ovarian reserve (and had exactly the same reaction - I didn’t ask any questions and the doctor wasn’t very forthcoming with much explanation).

We carried on trying for a while and eventually went on to have IVF at ARGC, we now have a one year old and 6 frozen embryos, so there is hope I promise! My husbands situation was different to yours but from speaking to the doctors at ARGC, even if you have a low ovarian reserve there is still a possibility to conceive naturally, if you’re ovulating - you’re releasing an egg each month! There’s also lots you can do to help improve egg quality too to help improve your chances in terms of eating and drinking (no caffeine or alcohol), lots of dark leafy greens, CoQ10 supplements and folic acid.

I know there’s a lot of controversy around ARGC and I’ve heard some people say they have no ‘bedside manner’ but I found them to be incredible, all the nurses were so lovely and supportive and the doctors also answered all of my questions, it’s pregnancy bootcamp and is full on but it worked for us and I’ll forever be grateful for them.

Happy to chat if you need, PM me.

Wishing you lots of luck and sending positive vibes to you

[Red1981]

Hi, 

I could have written this myself at a similar age. I was 32 when I was told I didn't stand much chance because my AMH was 5 pmol and FSH i think was 11 or 12. I'm 40 now with a 4 year old, with a few on ice so it is possible. My problem was not just low AMH but also endometriosis, in fact I've only ever been able to conceive after surgery to remove it. First surgery resulted in conceiving our son several months after, and the second sadly a miscarriage which is why we turned to IVF at 39. I'm 40 now and about to start transfers. 

Here are the things I would advise:

- You are not defined by these numbers. Go to a clinic that will work with your levels, during IVF i did not respond to high medication, mild cycle was much better. Places like Lister, Evewell and Create, be prepared to do up to 3-4 cycles to get what you need. We are at the Evewell, they are good but dont offer egg freezing cycles so its expensive but you do get close 1-1 care. I started at CRGH but the personal care there was dreadful and it had a very factory mentality to it. 

- Start taking the It Starts with the egg recommended supplements for 3 months leading up to IVF if you go down that route - I have been taking all of them for 5 plus years and the ONLY ones that moved the needle for me in regards to increasing my AMH from 1.8 pmol to 5.6 pmol was DHEA and Tru Niagen, I think out of the two it would have been the DHEA but Tru Niagen is great for egg quality. I was only on it for around 4-5 weeks for this increase. 

Good luck!  


 

[Cassie88]

Thank you both for your advice.

There’s definitely a level of comfort knowing I’m not the only one, but also sadness that so many of us have to go through this.

There was me 5 months ago thinking by the end of this year I’d be pregnant…

I see IUI and Clomid mentioned a lot so wondered if these are options that can be considered with a low ovarian reserve? It seems IVF is the top treatment but I think I’d like to explore what else is out there if it’s possible. Or is that pointless?

[bunny200]

I think clomid is used if you don’t ovulate, I could be wrong! I asked about IUI in my clinic and they basically said it was a lot of stress, pretty much involved the same as IVF, expensive and not as good as outcome. But it depends on each individual and their circumstances.

Totally agree that you shouldn’t let the numbers define you. How long have you been trying for? Maybe try and concentrate on getting the best egg quality possible with healthy eating, gentle exercise etc and focus on that for the next few months or so and see where you are in 3/6 months time?

What I would say is don’t wait too long to speak to a clinic and get the process started, I’ve also heard good things about Lister!

[Cassie88]

Oh interesting about IUI, I’ll see what Lister think given my stats then. They may well say wait to see what my partners test come back with. Can I ask how long it was from when you contacted the clinic to when you successfully got pregnant after IVF?

Did you also try acupuncture?

We’ve only been trying for about five months, which isn’t long I know. I’m happy to focus on health and weight as long as I don’t risk losing all my eggs in the meantime.

[bunny200]

We tried for about 18 months before we decided to go down the IVF route and was initially told it was possible to get pregnant naturally with low AMH (but my husband doesn’t have any fertility issues). I would definitely look at some clinics and organise a couple of consultations, then you can make a decision which is right for you.

I did Accupuncture in the lead up to IVF and during and believe it really helped.

Good luck!

[bunny200]

Sorry didn’t answer your question! Our clinic does monitoring cycles to see where your hormone levels are and they wait until they’re optimal to start a cycle, I had a few months where my hormones were all over the place until they decided to start the cycle. Then we were lucky enough to get pregnant on the first cycle. Different clinic’s have different processes though!

[Suzyb1]

Hiya

Don’t loose hope I had an AMH 1.7 and was 42 years old. I did 3 rounds of IVF at the lister, did acupuncture, ate healthy etc ……. Eventually I gave up all of it, moved on and started drinking going out again and relaxed etc then boom I now have the most beautiful 10month old baby conceived naturally and I am 46. You just need 1 egg and a bit of luck

[Mils1983]

Hi there

Firstly I am so so sorry to hear your news.

We got told back in January my husband had an exceptionally low sperm reserve and both him and I really were very taken aback by the new - it is a lot to process mentally for you both.

It is also is amazing how much terrible advice or poor treatment you can receive and how isolated you can feel.

But if you start a conversation amongst friends you will be amazed at how many people have had similar fertility issues.

On your husbands side did your initial consultant talk about ICSI? If he has some sperm then ICSI is the way forward - this is a step further from IVF where they can take individual sperm and inject them into your eggs - rather than leaving sperm to find their way to your eggs which is the IVF process.

With your BMI I definitely believe that some life style changes will help change your fertility outcome if you do ICSI (increase IVF/ICSI success rates).

You definitely should try Accupuncture but I would also suggest seeing a fertility nutritionist- Monique Cormack is one such example. I think you’d really benefit from someone like her helping you.

I would recommend Simon Cheung for Accupuncture.

My husband and I actually did not have a positive experience as the lister and was surprised when going for initial fertility tests thag they only check AMH, follical count and sperm count. There are many other things that play into fertility so I would suggest going somewhere who also runs full blood count and looks at your thyroid function etc from the offset. We have friends who have stuck it out at the lister and had positive outcomes but I wouldn’t recommend James.

We have ended up going to see Mr Dooley who has his own practice at King Edward VII but you go to the lister for egg retrieval and transfer. He has a really personal service and seems much more invested in each couples story.

Did you have your follical count taken as that should also have been done.

Age is on the plus certainly on your side now so I would suggest making the lifestyle changes to reduce your BMI and reaching out to a nutritionist and Accupuncturist while researching the fertility consultant you want to go with.

Another spot that might be beneficial to you is Zita West as they look at both the medical and holistic side all under one roof.

It is a journey but you will get there and make sure to reach out to friends and family for support.

[astro]

Hi,

There is hope - I had an AMH of 0.7 at 34 and now have 2 gorgeous kids, born naturally.

We went to the lister initially and they were good if you get the right doctor. They were good at explaining that all you need is one egg, one high quality egg is as good as lots of average ones. We got pregnant naturally on holidays- had a miscarriage but the second pregnancy stuck. For my second child I got pregnant quite quickly.

I do think that being relaxed helps massively but I know it’s very hard! I also did acupuncture and I think that helped. Above all, try not to overcomplicate it and read everything, listen to everyone - there is so much conflicting information out there, and I found I was constantly second guessing myself!

Good luck!