Dear Dr. Potter,

I have had 3 failed IVF cycles, the latter two resulting in poor egg and embryo quality. I am now changing my protocol again to an estrogen priming protocol. I understand there are variations of this protocol but as I have done best on the down regulation in terms of number retrieved and number to testing I prefer the down reg plus estrogen protocol rather than the microflare, Lupron and estrogen.

The clinic would prefer me to do the microflare but I know this can be detrimental to low responders and since I had problems with two dominant follicles last time on the antagonist protocol I think I needed the suppression from before bleed throughout the cycle.

Do you think I am right in asking to be placed on the down regulation protocol rather than the microflare one?

And does the Lupron have a dampening effect on the estrogen during the cycle or does it just block my own natural estrogen production and then everything is controlled artificially?

I appreciate your time in answering these questions

Regards

Pinkrose