Does IVF meds create more follicles than the body would usually have naturally in a cycle?
This may be a silly question, but does the gonadotropin medication create and grow more follicles than the body would naturally create in a normal cycle? I'm prescribed Meriofert, and just wanted an idea if I should expect roughly the same range of follicles I have in a natural cycle (16-19). Also I usually ovulate from CD 16-18 but trigger shots and egg retrievals take place few days before, would that potentially affect the egg quality since they are growing quicker and extracted earlier? Thanks x
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You are correct: your base is your antral follicule count. Any follicule that isn’t there can’t be stimulated. So if you usually have around 16-19, then the objective will be to get those 16-19 to all grow together to become mature follicules. Not all follicules will always respond (usually 70-80% do), and not all follicules will contain eggs either. In short: you your antral count gives you a good idea of your potential number of eggs. Rg. Your usual ovulation date - it doesn’t matter as you will be under the stimulation hormones - that’s what will control your cycle and superseed your natural cycle xx
Thank you that's super helpful! Xx
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Usually in a cycle only 1 follicle would be big enough (and mature enough) to release a mature egg. The aim with IVF is to get multiple folicles to be large enough to have a mature egg inside. Alongside your Gonadotropins you would usually take a medication that prevents ovulation (usually from about day 6 right up to trigger day) which ensures that the eggs are not ovulated prior to collection. Regular scans ensure that the clinic knows the point when you are ready to take the trigger shot and have your collection. They would expect to have a certain number of folicles over a certain size (this varies by clinic).