Infertility Support Group

I did an antagonist IVF cycle. Basically you start with stims on day 3 of your cycle. Then when your follicles reach a certain size (for me it was when the first one hit 16mm) they add in Antagon/Ganirelix to keep you from ovulating. (Antagon is basically like Lupron in that it suppresses ovulation - just takes less time to be effective).

From what I understand, antagonist cycles are often used for under responders (although I myself did not fall in that category). It is a "newer" technique that some REs like because it is less needles.

For me, it went OK. I responded very quickly - I journaled the whole experience if you want to read it.

Good luck to you.

My first IVF cycle was a protagonistic cycle with Lupron for suppression. The cycle was what my RE at that time called text book but I disagreed. I only produced 10 eggs and for me I usually produce 3+ eggs with no meds.

My DH and I found a new RE and we decided to try and antagonistic cycle. Basically it is just as "awaiting" said it was. My new RE had me take Estrace (an oral pill) for a while to help prep my body to receive the stims. Then on day 3 I started the stims. Once my follicles were getting larger and I was close to ovulation they added a suppression shot into my mix so they could time the retrieval.

I ended up with more eggs, they were a higher quality and so were the embryos, and I am just over 20 weeks pg from the cycle.

The only thing they really have to watch is to make sure to suppress you at the right time so you don't ovulate on your own. No matter what you do I say good luck and I hope it goes great!

I am so glad you posted this question. I am doing this cycle right now. I did an estrogen patch day after I surged. On day three after surge I did three days of antagonist shots. I am still wearing the patch (until it falls off). I start stims tonight. and will do the antagonist shots when my numbers reach 300 (i think). I was glad to read what the other two posted. My first two ivf's i used lupron and didn't do well. 5 egges and 10egges with on fertiziling each tiime.

Best of luck to you.

thanks so much for the feedback ladies!!! I'm really grateful!!!

I too had what seemed like perfect cycles and great embryos. Our 4th IVF was an Atagonist cycle. I used BCP instead of Lupron. They also added Ganirelix to that cycle. It was probably the worse cycle out of the 5 we did. But, they were not sure if it was bad because of the type of cycle it was or because I had my tubes removed a few months before which can lower follicle counts.


I would not do it again for a few reasons:
1. I suffer from horrible migraines and the BCP were terrible to me
2. I can't take BCP because of newly discovered blood clotting issues
3. I did not get a lot of follicles and they may have been the worst quality embryos out of all the cycles

I think our old RE did that cycle just to see if it made a difference. For us it did not, but it could for you. I wish you lots of luck!