How long the IVF protocol, called long, generally depends on the length of a woman’s natural menstrual cycle. On average, this stage takes at least 3 to 4 weeks. Long protocol is used if the patient’s reproductive system has a sufficient reserve of follicles.
The primary stage of the protocol is done during the luteal phase, i.e. on day 19-20 of the menstrual cycle. During this period, the patient is administered medications that inhibit LH hormone production. As part of the protocol, various forms of medication can be used, for example, deposited or daily injections or nasal sprays. Against the background of reducing LH hormone to minimal levels, the specialist begins procedures aimed at stimulating superovulation. Typically, this stage takes no more than 12 days.
IVF protocols are performed on an individual basis. Already after the start of procedures, depending on the results obtained, the specialist may change the scheme, the dosage of prescribed drugs, cancel or, conversely, introduce new medications. It is important to note that the response to the therapy performed in different patients may have huge differences, even if identical protocols are used.
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In some cases, a patient may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome under the influence of therapy. In order to prevent it, blood tests are required as part of the IVF protocol to determine estradiol levels. An overestimation means that the body is saturated with drugs used to stimulate follicle growth. In this situation, it is necessary to suspend the therapy used.
According to statistics, a successful IVF protocol is more often the result of prolonged stimulation. This is partly due to the fact that this procedure is used only for women with sufficient follicular reserve, which allows the selection of the highest quality material. The percentage of pregnancy in a long protocol is slightly higher than in a short protocol.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Despite continuous monitoring by a specialist and taking measures to prevent possible complications, cases of unsuccessful IVF protocols in which the embryo transfer is cancelled are not an exception. In the vast majority of cases the patient’s reproductive system reacts to the treatment administered with hyperstimulation syndrome.
If there is a risk of this syndrome, the specialist may reduce the dosage of the drugs or cancel their use completely. In the absence of positive results of preventive measures, that is, against the background of the development of the syndrome, the patient may be prescribed a correction of hemostasis and a specialized diet. In severe cases, inpatient therapy is required.
CHOOSING AN IVF PROTOCOL
So, how does the IVF protocol and the choice of its variety take place? The choice of a protocol is a very complicated task for a specialist, for the solution of which the doctor needs to take into account the peculiarities of the patient’s body and all the possible risks. It is from a rational choice depends on the response of the ovaries to the treatment performed. It is important to note that a specialist cannot influence the quality of biological material.
Let us consider variants of IVF protocols used somewhat less frequently than those listed above:
- Hyperlong protocol. It is used if a patient has a number of diseases, including cysts, endometriosis, uterine myoma. It implies the use of deposited medications 60 to 90 days before the start of stimulation therapy. The need to use medications is to suppress the menstrual cycle and slow down the growth of benign neoplasms.
- Natural protocol. Excludes the use of stimulating medications.
- Protocol with minimal stimulation. Medications are used at long intervals and administered in small doses.
- Ultra-short protocol. This type of protocol is used for women with a poor follicular reserve. Under it, the administration of stimulating drugs begins on the third day of the menstrual cycle and lasts about ten days. As a rule, the administration of drugs starts with high dosages.
In addition to the above options, others are also used, for example, the IVF protocol with a donor egg. In general, it is important to remember that the result of in-vitro fertilization depends on the justification of the choice of the protocol. And the success of procedures is determined by the doctor’s skill level. Specialists of our center are high-level professionals and guarantee an individual approach to each patient. We will help you to achieve positive results and become happy parents!
