I asked a question about icsi earlier but now also wanted to ask the different between a short and a long protocol for ivf. I ovulate normally and all looked good at our screening appointment so they suggested a short protocol with icsi.
Dear Clara, Thank you for your question, it is very interesting. In fact both the short and the long protocol use gonadotrophines to stimulate the ovaries. The difference is the kind of medication we use to avoid spontaneous ovulation and the moment when we start using it.
Usually for long protocols we use a GnRh agonist and you start injecting it during the luteal phase of the cycle prior to the stimulation. As for short protocols, we usually use GnRh antagonists (although in certain cases we can also use agonists) and you have to start injecting it 5-6 days after the begining of the stimulation.
The choice of the protocol has to be personalized for each patient and it depends on their age, ovarian reserve, response to previous treatments and the experience of the doctor and the clinic with the different protocols. In young women with a normal ovarian reserve, the short protocol with antagonists allows us to minimize the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. However, neither protocol has proved to substantially increase pregnancy rates when comparing them in randomised scientific studies.
In your case in particular, although we lack some specific details, a short protocol with the ICSI technique seems a good option.
Thank you for your question, it is very interesting.
In fact both the short and the long protocol use gonadotrophines to stimulate the ovaries. The difference is the kind of medication we use to avoid spontaneous ovulation and the moment when we start using it.
Usually for long protocols we use a GnRh agonist and you start injecting it during the luteal phase of the cycle prior to the stimulation. As for short protocols, we usually use GnRh antagonists (although in certain cases we can also use agonists) and you have to start injecting it 5-6 days after the begining of the stimulation.
The choice of the protocol has to be personalized for each patient and it depends on their age, ovarian reserve, response to previous treatments and the experience of the doctor and the clinic with the different protocols. In young women with a normal ovarian reserve, the short protocol with antagonists allows us to minimize the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. However, neither protocol has proved to substantially increase pregnancy rates when comparing them in randomised scientific studies.
In your case in particular, although we lack some specific details, a short protocol with the ICSI technique seems a good option.
I hope my answers were helpful.
Best regards,
Dr. Clara Colomé