POSEIDON Groups — Planning for Poor Responders

This article explains POSEIDON groups — planning for poor responders — within the IVF Protocols & Medications pathway. It focuses on the choices that truly affect outcomes, budgets, and timelines, helping you move forward with clarity instead of overwhelm.

What It Is

POSEIDON is a system doctors use to better understand “low response” during IVF.
Instead of calling everyone with low egg numbers a “poor responder,” POSEIDON groups break patients into four categories based on:

• age
• ovarian reserve (AMH, AFC)
• previous IVF response
• expected number of eggs needed to achieve at least one healthy embryo

In plain English:
The POSEIDON approach helps clinics personalize stimulation so you get the best plan for your biology — not a one-size-fits-all protocol. It guides medication choices, monitoring strategy, embryo expectations, and how many cycles you may need.

Who It Helps

You may fit a POSEIDON group if you:

• retrieved low egg numbers in a prior IVF cycle
• have diminished ovarian reserve (low AMH or low AFC)
• are 35+, where egg quality naturally declines
• are younger but unexpectedly responded poorly to stimulation
• have imaging or hormone patterns suggesting low egg yield
• need realistic planning for how many stim cycles may be required

It’s not necessary for people who consistently produce a high number of eggs, have normal reserve, or have already succeeded with standard protocols.

Step-by-Step

Here’s how the POSEIDON-based planning process usually works:

1. Evaluate ovarian reserve — AMH, AFC
2. Review past IVF cycles, if available
3. Determine your POSEIDON group (1–4)
4. Predict the number of eggs needed for one euploid embryo
5. Choose a stimulation plan tailored to your group
6. Monitor more closely to adjust doses quickly
7. Decide whether to bank eggs/embryos over multiple cycles
8. Reassess after each cycle using clear checkpoints

This structure reduces stress by setting expectations early and removing unnecessary surprises.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Personalized medication plan based on your biology
• More realistic expectations about egg numbers
• Better prediction of how many cycles might be needed
• Helps clinics target the goal: at least one healthy embryo
• Reduces trial-and-error in stimulation plans

Cons

• You may learn you need multiple cycles
• Can feel discouraging if placed in higher-risk groups
• Extra monitoring may increase cost
• Some groups require heavier medication or dual-stimulation approaches

The goal is not to label you — but to plan smarter.

Costs & Logistics

Planning for lower response often affects spending. Consider:

• higher medication doses
• potentially multiple stim cycles
• use of add-ons such as androgen priming or growth hormone (only when evidence supports it)
• more frequent monitoring appointments
• storage costs if you are banking embryos

A simple budget plan and medication-tracking sheet can prevent last-minute stress or unexpected bills.

What Improves Outcomes

Things that actually help:

• choosing the right stimulation protocol (e.g., antagonist, DuoStim, mild stimulation)
• adjusting doses early based on follicle growth
• starting with realistic egg and embryo goals
• considering egg or embryo banking to reach needed numbers
• focusing on lab quality and consistent monitoring
• using supplements or add-ons only when they align with your POSEIDON group evidence

Things that rarely change results:

• switching clinics without reviewing underlying biology
• relying on supplements alone
• frequent protocol changes without clear rationale

Case Study

A 41-year-old patient with low AMH fell into POSEIDON Group 4.
Her clinic used a structured plan:

• higher-dose antagonist protocol
• early monitoring to adjust doses
• recommendation to bank embryos across 2–3 cycles
• precise timing for trigger and retrieval

Across three cycles, she reached her target number of embryos and proceeded to transfer with confidence. The biggest shift wasn’t medication — it was realistic planning and having a roadmap.

Mistakes to Avoid

• assuming one cycle will give enough eggs
• skipping proper testing before stimulation
• reacting emotionally to group labels instead of using them as planning tools
• not discussing embryo-number goals
• starting a protocol that doesn’t match your biology
• ignoring how past cycles predict future response

Clear communication and checklists help prevent common missteps.

FAQs

Q. What does “POSEIDON” stand for?

Ans. It’s a framework that categorizes low-response patients into four groups to guide personalized IVF planning. The name isn’t an acronym — it refers to the goal of navigating complex IVF decisions.

Q. Why does my group number matter?

Ans. Your group helps predict how many eggs you may need and what type of stimulation protocol is most likely to work for you.

Q. Can I move from one POSEIDON group to another?

Ans. Age and biology don’t change quickly, but new cycle information can refine your group classification and improve planning.

Q. Does being in a POSEIDON group mean my chances are low?

Ans. Not necessarily. It means your clinic is using a more data-driven plan. Many patients in these groups achieve pregnancy with the right strategy.

Q. Will I need multiple cycles?

Ans. Possibly — especially in Groups 3 and 4. But knowing this early helps reduce stress, plan finances, and set realistic timelines.

Next Steps

• Free 15-min nurse consult
• Upload your labs
• Get a personalized cost breakdown for your case

Related Links

• IVF Protocols & Medications
• Intended Parents
• Become a Surrogate
• Fixed‑Cost Packages
• SART
• CDC ART
• ASRM