Very confused how numbers improved over 10 years

[Anonymous]

I am trying to make sense about how my infertility numbers have improved over the last 10 years.

I am 45 and been infertile since 35. At 34 I had my one and only, pregnant right away and easy pregnancy/delivery.

At 35 we started TTC #2. I was told at 35 that my AMH was .20 and that I had DOR and would never get pregnant on my own or with IVF. Over the next 7 years we TTC every month with no success and did IUIs and IVF, also with no success. I was never able to get pregnant again. Every time I got my numbers tested, they got progressively worse, to the point where my FSH was 20 when I was 42 my AMH was .2 and my FSH was 20, and my estrogen was low. My AFC was 3 follicles on each side. I was told I would go into menopause early.

Well at 45 I thought I was going through menopause, got my female hormone panel done, plus a pelvic ultrasound. The labs were done on Day 3. My FSH was awesome, at 5, my AMH somehow improved at .70, my estradiol was great, and my AFC was also awesome at 10 in each ovary. The ultasound tech said that my ovaries looked plump and healthy and full of eggs. My GYN told me that I am definitely not in menopause and that all my numbers indicated that I do not have DOR now. I also don't have PCOS though.

I am now very confused. My question is how could I have DOR from ages 35-42 and then no DOR at 45 and be nowhere near peri-menopause based on my bloodwork and ultrasound? We did not try TTC from 42-45 so I don't know if I could have gotten pregnant then.

With this new knowledge, we're jumping back on the TTC bandwagon. Should I be hopeful?

[Anonymous]

It happens. It happened to me when I was younger. Dr. Don't know why. At 45, I would worry about why egg quality.

[Anonymous]

Lol could be me. 6 months Pregnant with my ‘surprise’ baby at 45 after ivf at 36 & 38 for presumably old eggs (2 miscarriages). Doctors at that time were perplexed because the thinking is your body sends the best eggs forward first, but I think there is a lot they just don’t know. Some speculation that getting pregnant somehow re-energizes the reproductive system but who knows? Weirdly I got pregnant when randomly doing a vegan diet so my iron levels were low but maybe there was some underlying pcos that the vegan diet addressed. Some family history of late pregnancy (grandma had dad at 40). Still the odds are SO low that if you are really determined and willing to take the risks I would at least do iui.

I’m actually pretty worried about being pregnant at this age because of the risks. Luckily I’ve never had pre e or gd, but this pregnancy has definitely needed a lot more rest (or maybe that’s just with having two young kids). I was extremely worried about chromosomal issues and frankly still am even after the tests. But I’ve definitely learned you just have to roll with life’s curveballs and adapt your plans.

[Anonymous]

At 45 even if you have eggs the vast majority are genetically abnormal. On top of that, old eggs have "hatching" problems so even if normal they'll arrest in development early on. You always can try IVF again and do genetic testing. My guess is that given your history you'd probably need 3 cycles to possibly get 1 normal embryo. It's a rough road, I'd think hard about whether you want to go down that path again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 45 even if you have eggs the vast majority are genetically abnormal. On top of that, old eggs have "hatching" problems so even if normal they'll arrest in development early on. You always can try IVF again and do genetic testing. My guess is that given your history you'd probably need 3 cycles to possibly get 1 normal embryo. It's a rough road, I'd think hard about whether you want to go down that path again.

+.1 You can TTC but eggs are still old and there is a high likelihood of miscarriage.
As for the fertility numbers, maybe taking years off from TTC helped your body to recover a little. Who knows?

[Anonymous]

I concur that despite a lot of research, there is so much we don't yet know. However as others have said, egg quality and luteal phase issues (low progesterone) are huge problems, statistically, at 45. I would encourage you to test your progesterone early and ask your doctor for supplementation, even if you're not doing IVF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 45 even if you have eggs the vast majority are genetically abnormal. On top of that, old eggs have "hatching" problems so even if normal they'll arrest in development early on. You always can try IVF again and do genetic testing. My guess is that given your history you'd probably need 3 cycles to possibly get 1 normal embryo. It's a rough road, I'd think hard about whether you want to go down that path again.

+.1 You can TTC but eggs are still old and there is a high likelihood of miscarriage.
As for the fertility numbers, maybe taking years off from TTC helped your body to recover a little. Who knows?

I'm the same PP quoted before this one. I'm 38 with recurrent miscarriages. I've had 5 in 2 years. It takes a huge toll on your body and emotions. IVF sucks too. I don't know OP what your marriage has been through, but it's extremely rough.