Does anyone here have diminished ovarian reserve?

[snowfire]

My sister in law was pregnant for the 5th time (with 4 m/c), and so thrilled this time because her numbers were great. Really high. They went for the sonogram to see the baby, she was supposed to be 7 weeks yesterday. There is just a sac, and the doctor thinks it is a blighted ovum. She is 29. She has been diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve. She doesn't know of anyone who has this, and I was wondering if there was anyone here that might have been told they have this, and what has been done for you? She is going to an RE, and is just totally frustrated. I had my 2 m/c's with her first 2 m/c's. I so totally want her to be able to find some encouraging news somewhere. Thanks if any of you can give some advice.

[innocencelost]

This hasn't happend to me personally, but I am on my way there. I do know someone who was dx'd with Premature Ovarian Failure. What are your SILs FSH and E2 (Estradiol) numbers (the highest they've ever been is the best indicator of future fertility because they will ebb and flow each month.) How did her RE come to the diminished ovarian reserve dx?

The way I understand diminished ovarian reserve is that in essence, your SIL's ovaries are functioning like a much older woman's would. (In ovarian years, she's perimenopausal, like me, but I am 38). The risk of m/c is much higher with older women due to genetic anomalies and the % conception rate also goes down each month because these egglets don't even make it to conception.

The girl I knew with the POF (I don't remember how old she was) underwent IVF and had twins in December. I was responding to injectibles but I had 7 busted cycles, probably because I was growing dud follies with bad or no eggs inside. I have my first IVF consult on Monday.

It is a devestating dx to face that a horribly expensive procedure *might* be one's only hope of having a child.

[mommy2mark]

My RE told me I had dimished ovarian reserve after my FSH level came back at 11.6. My RE was encouraged by my age though (30). We did one IUI which failed and I am currently pregnant after my 1st IVF. My understanding is that your FSH level is more of a predictor of how you will respond to the meds than your ability to conceive a healthy child.

I have seen many success stories of people with even higher FSH levels getting pregnat. I am so sorry to hear about your SIL. How devestating. Does she know if any of her miscarriages were due to genetic abnormalities?

I have been told that there is not really much that can be done to change your FSH (although it does vary month to month). That being said, a friend of a friend has been trying to get pregnant for the last 2 years. Her RE told her she would not be able to get pregnant because of the age of her eggs. She started acupunture a few months ago. The acupunturist also had her change her diet. She said give me three months to get your body in shape and three months to work on your eggs and you'll be pregnant, sure enough she is now a couple of months pregnant.

[snowfire]

Thank you for your responses. I don't know what her levels were, but her fsh one I believe was off. She has never made it far enough to find out if there were abnormalities. They did get to see the heartbeat one time, but then it was gone. She just is losing hope at this time.

[mommy2mark]

I am so sorry your SIL has lost hope. It must be so devestating.

[venessa anne]

My dr diagnosed me with Diminished ovarian reserve 3 years ago. I went through fertility treatments ranging from clomid to injections with IUI and was basically told after all of that and getting pg only to have m/c after m/c and 1 stillborn son that my only option was IVF because the quality of my eggs was so bad. I was told that if we didn't have a child by the time i was 30, that we probably wouldn't have one because i was told that i would go into menopause in my 30's. With the way things are going right now, i'll probably be in complete menopause by the time i'm 34. I'm 30 now. We couldn't afford IVF so we basically gave up the thought of having another child. 6 months after we quit all fertility treatments and quit seeing the RE i got pg. Alex is our miracle child.

I advise your sister to get a second opinion. Not only to confirm her diagnoses, but every doctor is more or less aggressive than the next. If she truly does have diminished ovarian resrved, she needs an aggressive dr that is willing to try all options to help her have a baby NOW before time runs out.

[williesmom]

I have been dx with "poor responder" for IVF...not sure if it's the same, since I respond great for IUI and low dose stims...higher dose...no better effect... I've lost 3 pgcy's due to dh genetic issue, however, did IVF times, and egg quality was great....and the 3rd cycle, different protocol, worked well..

My fsh has ranged from 8.1-10.8 one RE says bad ...another says it's fine. It depends on the RE and how aggressive they are willing to be. I just turned 33 and still ttc our first, five years later. My highest E2 was almost 2000 with 8 follies, so RE is very encouraged and willing to keep going....

I'd push your friend for answer's and retesting before giving up....get a 2nd opinion, and see if an RE is willing to be as aggressive as she is willing to go...... atleast then she'll know she did everything she could!