Long protocol IVF - how many days?

In the technique of in vitro fertilization, the concepts of a short and long IVF protocol are used . They mean a certain combination of medications to stimulate ovarian function. The appointment to the patient of a protocol is strictly individual (depends on age, concomitant diseases, hormonal background and the success of previous attempts at artificial insemination). The purpose of our article is to consider the features of the long IVF protocol, and how many days it lasts, as well as its schemes.

How does the long IVF protocol go?

1. The first stage of a long protocol when attempting artificial insemination is to prevent premature ovulation. To do this, 7-10 days before the onset of menstruation, the patient is prescribed drugs that suppress the functions of the ovaries (namely, reduce the production of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones). These drugs a woman should take within 10-15 days, after which the ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries, as well as a blood test to the level of estradiol. If the result does not justify its treatment, then the drugs should be taken 7 more days.
2. After the abolition of hormone-suppressing drugs go to the second stage of the protocol - stimulation of the ovaries. For this, the patient is prescribed a hormone - gonadotropin, which stimulates ovulation. As a result, two or more complete follicles can grow on the ovary. Control ultrasound is performed on the seventh day after the start of gonadotropin intake. In most cases, this hormone must be taken within 8-12 days.
3. The third stage of the long protocol is the so-called launching of follicles. At this stage, the maturity of the follicles is confirmed, in which the full-grown ovules are contained. In this case, prescribe a synthetic hormone drug - chorionic gonadotropin . The main criterion for taking HCG is the presence of at least two mature follicles and a level of estradiol of at least 200 pg / ml per follicle. The administration of hCG is performed 36 hours before oocyte collection.

Thus, we became acquainted with the length of the long protocol of IVF on days. The main thing during the stimulation process is to strictly follow all the instructions (take the necessary drugs on days) and the necessary studies. Violation of one of them can cross out the expected effect.