r/DOR

Would you proceed with egg retrieval if only 1–2 follicles are likely to yield eggs?
I’m 39 with DOR and currently in my third IVF cycle. Unfortunately, this cycle has had a much poorer response than my previous two.
At today’s monitoring appointment, I had one dominant follicle at 19 mm, another at 14 mm, one at 12 mm, and the rest under 10 mm. My clinic thinks we’re likely to get only one egg, possibly two, and asked us to consider whether we still want to proceed with retrieval.
For context, here are my previous cycles:
ER #1 – Conventional stimulation with Provera: Follistim 300 IU + Menopur 150 IU + Provera 10 mg daily, dual trigger (Lupron + 5,000 IU hCG). Retrieved 8 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized, resulting in one day-6 blastocyst (aneuploid).
ER #2 – Estrogen priming + microdose Lupron flare + Omnitrope: Follistim 300 IU + Menopur 150 IU + microdose Lupron 20 units twice daily, plus Omnitrope. Triggered with 5,000 IU hCG + 150 IU Follistim booster. Retrieved 5 eggs, 4 mature, 3 fertilized, but no blasts.
ER #3 (current) – Estrogen priming + Clomid + antagonist: Started with Clomid, followed by Follistim 225 IU + Menopur 75 IU, with Cetrotide. Follicular growth has been slow and uneven, with only one dominant follicle so far.

Another complication is my left fallopian tube. My HSG showed limited/uncertain patency on the left side, while the right tube is open. A repeat HSG suggested some patency on the left, but I’m still concerned about how well that tube functions.

I’m really torn about whether to proceed or cancel. We’ve already invested so much time, effort, and medication into this cycle, but I’m also concerned about going through retrieval for potentially just one egg.
For those who have been in a similar situation, did you decide to proceed with retrieval or cancel? What factors influenced your decision? If you went ahead, how many eggs did you end up retrieving, and what was the outcome?
I’d also love to hear whether anyone had a better response after switching protocols following a poorly responding cycle.
I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thank you!

TW: Semi good news-not out of the woods yet.

Well, I made it to my fresh day 3 transfer yesterday. I’m officially 1dp3dt. My embryo was originally a 6 cell that divided again right before transfer (good Sign I guess ?) and ended up an 8-cell Grade A embryo with minimal fragmentation. We have 1-7 cell grade B and 1-8 cell grade B, haven’t made it to day 5 yet. I felt oddly hopeful and more optimistic this cycle, which for me is not my usual. I am also in a little denial i think because this cycle has gone better than previous, and ive also never had a positive test aince starting TTC over 4 years ago. With my first failed transfer I was pretty hopeless the whole cycle and same with my other cycles. I would love to hear successful 3 day fresh transfers, frozen as well! Any encouragement and really just anything positive to get me through to beta day on the 22nd is welcomed. Please and thank you.

1st cycle Nov. 2025: 9 eggs, 6 mature, 2- day 3 embryos with 1 failed fresh transfer of a 6 cell, 1-8 cell day 3 frozen. unsure of grade (different out of state clinic than my last 3 cycles)
2nd cycle May 2026: Cancelled retrieval and converted to IUI, unsuccessful
3rd cycle July 2026: 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fert, 0 embryos after day 3.
4th cycle October 2026: Retrieval 10/7: 5 eggs, 3 mature, 3 fertilized with above grades.

Do i go in with low expectations? Im worried about how much could go wrong and if they don’t collect nearly anything after everything I’ve done the past 10+ days.

I’m so anxious I could throw up.

for those in atlanta, i am writing about a policy difference between the two clinics. i will write up my results at some point later with procedure and medical differences of why i chose which one.

however, i wanted to let others know that there is a big policy difference between the two clinics:

shady grove does not allow patients to bring children to appointments, as a consideration to others.

RBA does allow children in the waiting rooms.

i know having kids in the waiting room doesn't bother some people. but for those who might be sensitive to it, it is something i had to get used to.

also, shady grove has better waiting rooms: more relaxed, cleaner, overall more comfortable and well maintained.

i have chosen to stay at RBA, and i will share why in a later post. just thought this might help someone who is wanting to make a decision between the two.

Turned 45 less than two months ago, No children and partner so I am starting my ivf journey on my own using donor sperm and trying with own eggs . I am priming and working on dropping a little more weight just to improve my metabolic index and BMI

I have really low AMH I will share my most recent AMH after labs. I’m looking for women in my age bracket and older to form a community, exchange knowledge information support and hope.

I will update as I go.. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated ❤️

32 with AMH of 0.064. Doing my first IVF cycle and have one follicle growing and it’s measuring at 14mm! I’ll take it.

Hi all. This group has been amazing. Husband and I have been trying to conceive for 2 years now. I am so frustrated and angry with life and myself and my body. And it doesn’t help that everyone around me at work and family are getting pregnant. Ughhh. I have changed my diet. Been taking pills and supplements for 3 years. I exercise/walk a lot. Don’t drink or smoke.

I have gone through 4 egg retrievals. 3 retrievals at one clinic where they only were able to retrieve 5 eggs total. 1 aneuploid blast. Switched clinics cause my doctor was horrible. 2nd clinic did 4th retrieval. Doctor is amazing. Switched to a mini ivf cycle. They got 5 eggs. 3 were a blast. 2 were an aneuploid and 1 HLM. I went in for transfer day and I got the call my 1 HLM did not survive the thaw. I was shattered and heart broken. I am exhausted and tired. I always wanted children. I will be happy with 1 baby!! Just 1 that’s all I ask for!

We have to now pay out of pocket if we want to go through this again. Current clinic I am at said 1 retrieval will be about $20k. Can’t really afford that. CNY and RMA have package deals. Anyone had good experiences with CNY or RMA for ladies like us with DOR? TIA!