So after all the fighting with the clinic for the S/A (which I have yet to receive results of), I decided to try a new clinic-- the one other one in town. They got me in right away for U/S and bloodwork, since today is CD2.

The nurse who did the U/S told me (prior to it) that she would be able to tell me right away what she saw. After the U/S, I asked her if she was able to see anything abnormal. She seemed very hesitant to say anything. Finally, she said, "I'm surprised at the low number of follicles for someone as young as you." She then went on to explain that the bloodwork, along with the pictures, will be more accurate, but again repeated that she was surprised at the lack of antral follicles she saw.

Can someone please explain to me what this means? I am trying to read up and get an idea, but I'm not quite sure what it means. I have had regular cycles since my first period (I think I have missed one month my entire life!), according to my CBFM, OPK's, and CM I ovulate each month. So what does it mean to have low follicles? I know that if FSH is high it is harder to conceive, and I am guessing, from the way she was talking, that mine will probably be high.

She also mentioned Clomid and IVF...
I see the doctor on July 7th to discuss the next step.

If anyone understands anything about follicles, I'd love your help!

Sorry this is so long...

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I've been reading up on this topic and found a good basic resource... thought I'd post it in case others ever have this same question.

http://www.advancedfertility.com/antralfollicles.htm

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Sarah~Wow, that's great they got you in so quickly at the new clinic. At least now you have some idea of what the problem may be. I'm sure when you see your dr. on the 7th you'll have a better idea of what will come next. Good luck.

Sarah -

Glad you got some answers! I do not know much about the quantity of follicles. I am going to research that!! I know you have been researching it = but if I find anything I will let you know.



Kristen

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The nurse called with results of the bloodwork today. She said the tests looked good, within normal range.
Now I am very confused. When she looked at my U/S, she talked about having few follicles... but the bloodwork is normal.

I have no idea what any of this means so I guess I have no choice but to wait until my appointment on the 7th.

Sigh... I hate not understanding what results mean!

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sarah,

hi! i've been lurking, but your post is sort of similar to my experience, so i thought i would add. i've been TTC for almost 6 months. Went off BCP in feb and cycles have been approx 45 days. I've yet to see a pattern on FF. After BCP, i gained 20 pounds, so i went to my OB. Got an u/s and after i told the nurse i was there b/c i was afraid of PCOS, she told me my ovary was full of cysts (approx 17) I had to wait 2 weeks to talk to my OB and when i did, i expected him to confirm PCOS. Instead, he told me they were follicles, not cysts, and my blood and hormone levels indicated i did not have PCOS. I still have a long cycle, but doc is adamant that i do not have PCOS or any other hormonal problem. I understand how you feel about not understanding test results (or getting the wrong ones) Good luck!!

sara

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WOW!! I am really confused.

I thought 2-3 follicles was normal. and the 15 that I had were abnormal cysts.

Sara - do you have any other signs or sympotoms of PCOS? I have recently been diagnosed with it. Maybe you should get a second opinion.

kristen

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kristen-

the PCOS symptoms i've had were the weight gain and (mild) acne. The acne is gone now and the weight is a little bit harder to lose. My doc said the weight had nothing to do with going off BCP, but the acne probably did. My cycles are also long (45 days), so that's why i thought it was PCOS. I did all the blood testing and all signs point to no PCOS. So, if it is abnormal to have that many follicles, i dont know whats wrong with me then.

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Sara -

I think you should get a second opinion.


Kristen

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Sara- Thanks for the best wishes!

Kristen- I just really want to get in to talk to the doctor at this point. The nurse was the one who did the U/S. She didn't tell me anything about how many follicles she actually saw, or how many she should see. She just said she was "surprised" to not see many due to my age (I'm 26). She said to wait and hear back from the bw, that it would give a better idea. She is also the one who called with the bw, and said that things looked good.
My appt. is on July 7th. I am out of town the 28th-6th, so it sounds as if it is forever from now but I'm not really around before then anyway. Hopefully the doctor will shed some light as to what my results are. I'm really hoping this is THE clinic... it is already my second one and I don't want to have to hunt for another! I wish I could find others who have used them before to tell me their opinions. It's so hard to figure out who to see when you don't know anyone who has been there before!

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Update from today's appointment...

DH and I saw the Dr. today to discuss the results of my u/s and Bloodwork. Apparently, my u/s showed 6 antral follicles on each side (total of 12). The bloodwork (FSH level) was normal though. This means yes, I am ovulating, but the low follicle count means my egg supply is low. He said that he would have liked to see 30 follicles out of someone my age (although there is no actual "norm" on the number a person should have at each age.)
He said it might also be that I ovulate but do not acutally release an egg (compared it an egg being stuck to the wallpaper in a room, and the room filling with fluid, walls cracking, fluid releasing, but the egg continuing to stick to the wall.) He said there's no test to actually show this information, though, so he can't absolutely say for certain what is preventing the pregnancy from occuring.

Basically, though, it comes down to this:
Chances of conceiving on our own: 1-2%
Chances of IUI working: 10%
Chances of IVF working: 50%

With this info, we have decided to try the IUI for 2 cycles, then the IVF for up to four. (My insurance covers four cycles of IVF; we do not want to waste cycles with IUI with such a low percentage, but he thought we should at least give it a try.)

The good news is: 1) I really like the clinic and doctor, and feel comfortable working with them. 2) At least we know that something is actually physically wrong (I would have hated going in today and him telling me everything looks great and he doesn't know what could be the problem), and 3) Though the odds are low, they still are better than are 1-2% chance on our own!!!

The one shocking thing he said was that I might start menopause as early as my 30's. The antral follicle count tells the egg supply; since mine is low, the chance of me running out sooner are greater. He said there is no absolute way to predict this, but he's glad I am coming in at age 26 instead of waiting a few more years. He said the count won't really increase (might by a few follicles, but not much), but he doesn't know how long it will take to decrease.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the results. I'm very at peace with this, which is shocking for me. I'm just glad to have some sort of an answer.

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Wow Sarah,

That is crazy. Thank you so much for sharing all the info with us. This is a PERFECT example as to why I believe people shouldn't wait to get tested, checked, analyzed etc. You just never know what is going on in the insides of our body.

You should feel good that you are proactive in taking charge of your fertility. We will keep our fingers crossed for you that the IUI works.

I have only just begun to pay attention to the details about follicle issues...but isn't there drugs that can help the production?



http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/12a710

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Sarah, I am so glad you got some answers and that you are headed in the right direction. When do you start the IUI cycle?

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Wow Sarah, Thanks for the detailed info. I love it when people explain things in detail. If ever any of us have to go through any type of testing, it's nice to have the info and be prepared. I wish you the best and hope this all works out for you.

Sarakaye~ Did the Dr suggest putting you on Metformin?

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Sarah-Yay for you for getting to the bottom of this now! I'm so excited for you! The odds for IVF sound great! Babydust!!!!

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sarah. i´m glad you liked your dr and the new clinic. It´s incredible how much you can learn about your body, i´m glad you got tested early.
I still dont understand completely whts wrong, the dr said you are ovulating right?.. and he said it was a possibility that your eggs are not being released.. cant he make you take some medicine to push your eggs?
Still, i´m glad you´re trying IUI, when are you gonna start??
thanx for the update.

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Mari- I agree that it is confusing. Here is the breakdown form that I got:
Assumptions
Female Age: 26
Egg Quantity: FSH 7.6 in June 2006; 12 antral follicles
Sperm Quality: Good
Tubes: Good
Ovulation: Regular 25-29 days
Years of Infertility: 1.5-3
TREATMENT/EXPECTED MONTHLY PREGNANCY RATE
Try on own: 1-2%
Clomid +/- insemination: 10%
Injections +/- insemination: 12% (we will not do this; this has increased risk of muliples)
In Vitro Fertlization: 2 embryos-- 50%

Basically, the problem is assumed to be low antral follicle count (which means low egg supply), and small ovaries. There could be more to the story, but there is no way of knowing that, at least for now. It is also possible that I ovulate but do not actually release the egg. So I have a regular cycle, but nothing is actually in place to become fertilized.

It is really confusing but basically comes down to you want a high number of antral follicles (although too high is not a good thing either). From what I read, my count is not high, but it is not too low for IVF not to work. Basically, it's worth a shot! (No pun intended!)

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