Birth control before IVF

Acedit

Question- were you prescribed birth control before your IVF cycle? If so how many days did you take them for and at what point in your cycle? Like cd 1 or after? Thanks in advance....

gsancho

I will be - I think it's pretty common although not everyone does.  RE had me do it for injects cycle, too.  I haven't started my IVF cycle yet, but I think I started taking BCP on CD3?  I took them through a full cycle, so I didn't start follistim until about a month later.

missmarypoppins

I didn't take it for IVF #1, but this time around I did. I started on CD3 and took it for six weeks straight.

happygirl1013

CD3 in both cases I started and took for 6 weeks, then got a period and started stims

malineczka

I had birth control pills 3 times ( always in long protocole )

1 IVF - 25 pills ( my dr had a holiday ;-) )

2 IVF - 21 pills 

3 IVF - now  

Praying4Miracle17

With IVF #1 the BCP was more or less to get everyone that is going to cycle in that month to have similar schedule (batch IVF) and also to supress, so the days on the BCP's might differ (one time I was on for 2 weeks, one time for 5 weeks).

With my new clinic, I thick it helps with suppression and I took a pack before starting with lupron and before stims.

LooneyLife

Yes, both times.  I started BCP on CD3 and took the three active weeks.

PrivateOne

My protocol is the Microdose Lupron Flare Protocol.  I start bcps on CD 3 and am on them anywhere from 18 to 21 days. The amount of days is determined by what day it makes you end on. My clinic won't let your baseline appt fall on a weekend, so they adjust the number of days of bcp accordingly.

scooteriste

For IVF #1 I ended up on bcp for 5 weeks of active pills. For IVF #2 it will be 21 days.

Acedit

Interesting the variation in the length of time on BC. Next week I will know how long I will need to take BC. Thanks for the posts... Much appreciated!

FishyMom

Everyone will have different answers on the length of time, but I think it is pretty consistant that most of us take it.  I have to start mine between CD1 and CD3.  I was normally on it for about 2 - 3 weeks but normally the last week it was overlapped with meds, Lupron to be exact.  Good luck!

bashert11

Ya I was prescribed Cyclafem for 19 days. I hate that stuff it makes me sick and I've been gaining the weight back that I lost from Metformin. It doesn't make any sense to me either that you have to be on BCP before IVF. Just seems like you are doing the opposite of what you should be doing. 

Acedit

I think it's an odd concept as well, but I suppose it's to help your cycle be a little more "controlled". I know my cycle reacts with early or delayed ovulation when I'm streesed... Who knows, but I'm sure that there is a valid reason.

indianaalum

Anyone else put on Estrace and then start cycle? I am puzzled on this one..my estrogen seems normal, so not sure what that does. Anyone know?

Nellody86

Yes, I started on cycle day 2. And took them for about 4 weeks. Stopped when Lupron started.

STBMrsMiller

indianaalum said:

Anyone else put on Estrace and then start cycle? I am puzzled on this one..my estrogen seems normal, so not sure what that does. Anyone know?

I've done once with a BCP, one with estrace, and one straight into stims. RE said the estrace coated the ovaries to get them ready to respond.

Praying4Miracle17

@AlaskaDee23 - yes, the first doctor gave BCP's to get everyone's cycles to line up (batch IVF).  The RE I am going to now, I think just gives it to you to calm everything down the month before IVF.  He said that I didn't have to go that route, he would just rather me take the BCP's to suppress everything the month before.  I wouldn't worry if you aren't put on them.

herecomesthesun

Yes. My RE did it to control timing. I was on them 3 weeks or so.