The Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol: What It Is, When It Fails, and How We Can Help You Succeed
If you’ve been told you need the Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol for IVF, you’re likely dealing with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), poor response to stimulation, or advanced maternal age. This protocol is designed to give your body a boost of natural follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) before adding injectable medications.
Sounds great in theory, but what happens when it doesn’t work?
For many women, this protocol doesn’t lead to more follicles, better-quality eggs, or higher pregnancy rates. Instead, they find themselves with the same disappointing results, cycle after cycle.
This is where we step in. At Fire Over Water Acupuncture & Functional Medicine, we don’t just focus on what happens during your IVF cycle—we focus on optimizing your fertility months before, so you have the best possible chance of success.
What Is the Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol?
The Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol is a modified IVF stimulation method designed for women with low ovarian reserve or a history of poor response to standard IVF protocols. It involves:
1️⃣ Starting a microdose of Lupron (GnRH agonist) early in the cycle to trigger a natural FSH and LH surge.
2️⃣ Adding injectable gonadotropins (FSH and/or Menopur) a few days later to stimulate follicle growth.
3️⃣ Retrieving eggs at the optimal time for fertilization and embryo transfer.
By allowing the body’s own FSH to rise before external stimulation, this protocol aims to recruit more follicles and produce better-quality eggs.
Who Is This Protocol Designed For?
Doctors often recommend the Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol for:
✔ Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) – Those with low AMH, high FSH, or a history of poor ovarian response.
✔ Women Over 35 – Since ovarian function declines with age, this protocol attempts to maximize egg recruitment.
✔ Women with a History of Poor Response – Those who have failed previous IVF cycles with standard protocols.
But while this protocol works well for some, for others, it doesn’t produce enough follicles or improve egg quality—leading to frustration, failed cycles, and emotional exhaustion.
Why the Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol Doesn’t Always Work
Even though this protocol is designed to give the ovaries a boost, it doesn’t work for everyone.
🔹 Egg Quality Issues Aren’t Addressed – Stimulation medications can’t fix mitochondrial dysfunction in eggs, which is often the cause of poor response.
🔹 Over-Suppression Can Happen – Some women experience a strong downregulation effect, meaning their ovaries don’t respond well to stimulation.
🔹 Hormonal Imbalances Are Ignored – Factors like thyroid function, insulin resistance, or inflammation aren’t addressed by the protocol but play a huge role in egg quality.
🔹 Poor Blood Flow to the Ovaries – If your ovaries aren’t getting enough oxygen, nutrients, and circulation, your follicles may not develop properly.
That’s where we come in—by helping you prepare your body BEFORE your cycle begins, we can dramatically increase your chances of success.
How We Help You Get the Most Out of Your IVF Cycle
At Fire Over Water Acupuncture & Functional Medicine, we don’t just focus on what happens during IVF—we focus on what happens before IVF to make sure your body is in peak fertility condition.
Here’s how we can help:
✅ 1. Acupuncture to Improve Ovarian Response
Scientific research shows that acupuncture increases blood flow to the ovaries, improves follicular response, and reduces stress hormones that interfere with fertility.
✔ Enhances egg quality by improving mitochondrial function.
✔ Optimizes hormone balance and reduces inflammation.
✔ Increases IVF success rates when combined with medical treatment.
✅ 2. Functional Medicine to Find & Fix Hidden Fertility Barriers
Most fertility clinics only look at AMH, FSH, and estradiol levels—but we go deeper. We assess:
✔ Thyroid function (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies).
✔ Blood sugar balance (fasting insulin, HbA1c, glucose levels).
✔ Inflammatory markers that can harm egg quality (CRP, homocysteine).
✔ Gut health and nutrient absorption (because fertility starts in the gut!).
By correcting underlying imbalances, we prepare your body for the best possible IVF outcome.
✅ 3. Targeted Supplements & Herbal Medicine to Boost Egg Quality
Since IVF medications can’t improve egg quality, we use evidence-based supplements and Chinese herbal medicine to:
✔ Reduce oxidative stress that damages eggs.
✔ Support mitochondrial energy production.
✔ Enhance ovarian response naturally.
Key fertility-boosting nutrients include:
💊 CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) – Enhances egg mitochondrial function and energy production.
💊 DHEA – Supports ovarian hormone production in women with DOR.
💊 NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) – Reduces inflammation and supports glutathione production for better egg quality.
🌿 Chinese Herbal Formulas – Designed to improve ovarian blood flow, nourish follicles, and regulate hormones.
✅ 4. Nutrition & Lifestyle Adjustments for Optimal IVF Success
Your body needs the right fuel to create healthy eggs. We provide:
🥑 A customized fertility-boosting diet to lower inflammation and support ovarian health.
🛌 Personalized stress-reduction techniques to optimize hormone function and IVF response.
🚶♀️ Gentle movement & circulation-boosting activities to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus.
Are You Truly Ready for IVF? Let’s Make Sure.
If you’re preparing for the Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol, don’t leave your IVF success up to chance.
At Fire Over Water Acupuncture & Functional Medicine, we help you prepare your body BEFORE your cycle begins so you can get the most out of every IVF attempt—without wasting time, money, or hope.
📞 Schedule a consultation today to get a fertility plan that’s designed for YOUR body—not just a standard protocol.
Because your success starts long before the IVF cycle begins. 💕
References
Progyny. (n.d.). Which IVF protocol is right for you? Retrieved from https://progyny.com/education/ivf-facts/which-ivf-protocol/
Voluson Club - Empowered Women’s Health. (n.d.). Comparing different IVF stimulation protocols. Retrieved from https://www.volusonclub.net/empowered-womens-health/comparing-different-ivf-stimulation-protocols/
Kahraman, K., Berker, B., Atabekoglu, C. S., Sonmezer, M., Cetinkaya, E., Aytac, R., & Satiroglu, H. (2009). Microdose flare-up gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist versus GnRH antagonist protocols in poor ovarian responders undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertility and Sterility, 91(6), 2437–2444.