10 Questions to Ask Your Fertility Clinic About Poor Ovarian Response

After a low egg yield, the consult should clarify why and what changes next — not just repeat the same cycle. These ten questions steer the conversation from “I didn’t respond” to a structured plan you can act on. Bring your reserve labs and last stimulation log, and write the answers down. The aim is the next useful, evidence-based step. General education, not individual medical advice.

The 10 questions

1. “What are my AMH, AFC, and day-3 FSH — and what do they say about my reserve?”
   Why: defines your baseline “tank.”

2. “Which POSEIDON or Bologna group do I fall into — expected or unexpected poor responder?”
   Why: changes protocol vs donor path.

3. “Was my last stimulation optimal — dose, days, and trigger type?”
   Why: catches under-stimulation that’s fixable.

4. “Should we try a different protocol or a higher dose next time?”
   Why: the main lever for unexpected responders.

5. “Would androgens (DHEA/testosterone), CoQ10, or growth hormone help my case?”
   Why: patient- and clinician-controlled modifiable factors.

6. “Any secondary cause — endometrioma, ovarian surgery, or FMR1 genetics?”
   Why: identifiable, sometimes treatable contributors.

7. “What’s my realistic chance of a euploid embryo across cycles?”
   Why: sets honest expectations on cumulative outcome.

8. “When should we start discussing donor eggs?”
   Why: an honest option when reserve is severely limited.

9. “Is mild/minimal stimulation better than max stimulation for me?”
   Why: more isn’t always more for expected responders.

10. “Is a second opinion or specialist review of my records worthwhile?”
    Why: a fresh read can reveal a missed option.

How to use these questions

• Print them and tick answers during the visit.
• Lead with Q1 and Q2 — they frame everything else.
• Keep the tone collaborative; you’re building a review, not a confrontation.

What good answers will and won’t give you

• Will give: a clear subgroup and a justified next step.
• Won’t give: a guarantee of more eggs; reserve sets a real ceiling.

Related reading

• The framework: What Is Poor Ovarian Response?
• Read your labs: How to Read Your Ovarian Reserve Tests (AMH, AFC, FSH)
• Build the review: What to Review Before Your Next IVF Cycle
• Treatment decision: Should You Change Your Stimulation Protocol After a Poor Ovarian Response?

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Your next step

Walk in prepared: the IVF Case Clarity Assessment builds a one-page summary and these questions around your numbers.

Medical disclaimer

General education only; not individual medical advice. Your specialist remains the decision-maker for testing and treatment.

References

1. ESHRE working group on poor ovarian response. ESHRE consensus on the definition of poor ovarian response: the Bologna criteria. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(7):1616–1624.
2. The POSEIDON group. A new more detailed stratification of low responders to ovarian stimulation. Hum Reprod Open. 2016.
3. Practice Committee of ASRM. Fertility evaluation of infertile women: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2020/2021.