Low Responders

During In Vitro Fertilization eight to fifteen eggs should develop with correspondingly normal blood levels of estrogen (produced by the ovaries). Some women's ovaries do not adequately respond to ovarian stimulation.

 

If few eggs develop and/or the estrogen level is too low, the likelihood of a successful pregnancy may be significantly reduced. Egg Donation is often recommended as the most effective treatment. A "low responder" can be a woman of any age, but it is more commonly found after the age of 35.

 

At Bay IVF Center, we treat In Vitro Fertilization "low responders" by altering the type and doses of the stimulatory medications specifically for each patient. Paradoxically, some “low responders” will have a better chance of a successful pregnancy when their ovaries are not stimulated very forcefully. This approach may result in a low number of eggs retrieved, but a higher egg quality. Soft-IVF™ is an example of a treatment used for selected “low responders”.

 

A review of your medical records, the result of your ovarian ultrasound, and the Ovarian Reserve Assay (ORA) at Bay IVF Center will help determine whether you are a candidate for the "low responder" treatment, or whether you should consider the Egg Donation treatment as your best option.

 

If you have any questions regarding low responders or to request an appointment, please contact us by phone at 650-322-0500, via email at care@BayIVF.com, or use the Contact Bay IVF Center form on this page.