Answer:

Ovarian stimulation is a crucial step in in vitro fertilization (IVF), especially for women with low ovarian reserve who need to collect eggs over multiple cycles. This process involves using hormonal medications similar to the body's natural hormones to encourage several ovarian follicles to develop within one cycle.

Unlike a natural cycle, which typically produces only one mature egg, stimulation medications help retrieve multiple mature oocytes for IVF treatment.

Master of Science, Doctor Tran Ngoc Ha Giang (right), IVF Tam Anh TP HCM, performing egg retrieval for a patient. Illustration: IVF Tam Anh

Many people worry that using ovarian stimulation medications accelerates ovarian aging, leading to early menopause. In reality, this belief is incorrect. Every woman is born with a finite number of ovarian follicles that gradually decline over time.

In each cycle, the ovaries naturally recruit a group of follicles to develop. However, according to natural processes, only one follicle matures and ovulates, while the remaining follicles degenerate. Stimulation medications simply help more follicles within this recruited group continue to develop to maturity instead of being discarded, allowing doctors to collect more oocytes in the same cycle.

Menopause is a natural physiological process occurring when the ovarian reserve diminishes to a point where there are no longer enough follicles to sustain hormonal activity and ovulation. The timing of menopause depends primarily on the congenital number of follicles, age, genetic factors, underlying medical conditions, or treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or ovarian surgery.

In your case, an AMH level of 0.7 ng/mL indicates a reduced ovarian reserve. Your doctor may recommend egg collection, which involves performing ovarian stimulation and retrieval over multiple cycles to accumulate a sufficient number of oocytes or create more embryos before embryo transfer, thereby increasing the chance of pregnancy.

Depending on the individual case, especially for women with low ovarian reserve or poor ovarian response, doctors may consider various ovarian stimulation protocols. These include mild-dose protocols to optimize oocyte quality with appropriate medication, or dual stimulation within the same cycle to utilize both waves of follicular development, helping to increase the total number of oocytes retrieved in a shorter period. The choice of protocol depends on age, ovarian reserve, hormone levels, and the individual patient's response to treatment.

At the Center for Reproductive Assistance, Tam Anh General Hospital System TP HCM (IVF Tam Anh TP HCM), ovarian stimulation protocols are individualized for each patient. During treatment, doctors closely monitor patients through clinical examinations, ultrasounds, and hormone tests to adjust medication as needed. This approach helps optimize the number of oocytes retrieved while minimizing adverse effects on the woman's body.

Master of Science, Doctor Tran Ngoc Ha Giang

Center for Reproductive Assistance

Tam Anh General Hospital System TP HCM