Is 5 follicles too many???

iwantbaby · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 06:03 PM

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks everyone for your encouraging success stories. They truly help get me through this, what seems like, endless journey. I won't go into it all but after failed clomid/IUI cycles (3), I am now on my first cycle w/ injectables Gonal f and Lupron. I had my first u/s on cd 6, and I have 5 dominant follicles. The doctor called to review my case that afternoon, and said that if my next u/s shows there are still 5 dominant follicles, we will have to cancel this cycle. Ahhhhh! Has this happened to any of you?

Have any of you proceeded w/ IUI with 5 follicles? I hear so many different things, any feedback would be great!

It feels like you just can't win, I want good news, for once! Sorry, frustrated.

Katie

Star622 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 06:40 PM

Just lurking...

IMO, it's too many. Most of the time with ivf (when they have control) they don't put back in more than 2-3. I think it's too risky with IUIs because you don't know much about the egg quality. Sure it's nice to have a lot of targets, but I think most doctors would prefer for your health and the health of the babies that you don't become pg with 5.

I know it'd be frustrating to cancel and wait, not to mention expensive if it's an out of pocket expense for you. I think most doctors would try for 2 and 3 at the most.

kiru_ljh · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 08:24 PM

IMO--5 follies is a bit risky. I personally wouldn't do it. DH and I agreed before proceeding with our IUI adventure, that we wouldn't be comfy w/ any more than 3 follies at a time.

Like Star622 said, I bet it's hard to know you have that many eggs and have to cancel...but it's honestly for the best.

Let us know what you and the dr. decide!
Kiru

meriandbob · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 05:12 AM

I say it depends on many factors - age, IF diagnosis, etc.
If this is your 1st injectable/IUI cycle, then 5 may be too many. You're RE will have a better idea when your E2 levels & bw comes back.

I've been canceled before & I understand its frustrating. Looking back now I would have went for it, but hindsight is 20/20 and my situation was probably different than yours.

Good luck in your decision!

faithforababy77 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 06:31 AM

I had 6 mature follies on my first IUI and my Dr. didn't seem the least bit worried. I got a BFN, so it ended up not being an issue...but I suppose it could have been.

Every RE is different. Mine is pretty radical about treatment options, so he's very different from most of the postings I read on here. I did an IVF protocol for an IUI. Pretty rare I've heard.

Good luck!

sedona01 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 06:34 AM

You need to decide what you are comfortable with and decide if you can handle getting pg with possibly 5 babies. That being said, I am 6dpiui, I had 5 mature sized follies when I did IUI. I went ahead for many reasons, mostly b/c I have had this many before and gotten a bfn. I am older and my response this time to meds hasn't been great. It is a very personal decision, but my doctor supports me. Are you doing a trigger shot? Can you still go ahead with that and planned bding and skip IUI? Some doctors are "okay" with that. GL in your decision.

iwantbaby · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 07:59 AM

Thanks all! The feedback is great. I went this morning for another u/s and bw. The good news is it looks like there are now 3-4 that will reach maturity. The question about this cycle all relies on E2 level. Has anyone had to cancel due to high e2 levels. Now that the follies are less of a concern I am praying the levels are okay to proceed.

Also, hearing the stories from those of you who proceeded with IUI w/ 5 follies and they were still unsuccessful, makes me want to at least try. I feel like a 20% chance per cycle, what is the chance that all 5 targets are hit?

Thanks again for the info.... I am praying for a good e2 to move forward.

Good luck to you all! I hope you all get what you are hoping for!

Katie (31)
DH (32)

meriandbob · #8 (**permalink**) 05-29-2007, 08:15 AM

The follicles & your E2 levels all correlate. Generally E2 levels are around 200-400 per mature (18 mm) follicle. The higher the E2 level - the more mature follicles - the higher the risk.