Hi Dr, thanks for your article on empty follicles. I have DOR, and had two retrievals in 2021 and 2023 which yielded zero eggs (out of 3-4 follicle ). My protocol were different each time but both at least included Follistim and HCG trigger. One didn’t include Menopur, and instead had low dose HCG and Cetrotide. The other cycle had micro dose Lupron, no Cetrotide/Ganirelix, and used also a HCG trigger (Ovidr).

My latest (3rd retrieval) had more follicles (7) but yielded 3 eggs, all mature: this cycle used a slightly lower dose of Follistim (200), same dose of Menopur as cycle 2 (150 iCU), and Cetrotide. We used a a double trigger of HCG 10,000 plus Lupron (40 units). It appears that this third protocol which included Lupron (together with HCG) was more ideal, but your email says HCG is more ideal. Also you say Menopur is also not ideal – do you think I would have a better outcome by removing Menopur but keeping the double trigger? Thanks so much.