Femara/Letrazol

ANDOPANO6

Hi Ladies,

I am curious if anyone has used these medications in their TTC journey. I don't ovulate naturally and according to my doctor if I haven't had success with clomid by now, I typically will not. I asked my RE to switch me to femara because I have heard more success stories on it but she refuses to prescribe it, so did my obgyn previously.

I see so many women on this medication with more success rates I am confused where my RE's logic lies. She says she won't use it because it's not "indicated" for fertility.

What are your thoughts? Should I work n seeing a new RE who prescribes this medicine? Do you think it's worth my time trying? Thanks

Aurora1181

I've had more "success" with letrozole- I still produce only 1 or 2 follicles, but my lining is better on letrozole than it was on clomid. But still no pregnancy. What does your RE suggest if not femara/letrozole? Injectable medications? 

bjhausrath

Hi! I did 6 cycles of femara, and always produced 1 or 2 eggs, but no pregnancy. My dr uses femara exclusively and rarely uses Clomid.Good luck to you!

ANDOPANO6

Hi katyj25

My siggie: TTC Since 6/12 regular periods with annovulation DH S/A healthy Hormones normal-all unexplained IF currently 10/12 50mg of clomid-no response-BFN 11/12 100mg of clomid-1 mature follicle-IUI #1=BFN 12/8/12 clear HSG 12/12 100mg of clomid-2 mature follicles-IUI #2=BFN Possibly taking break to determine new options 

My RE wants me to start injentable cycles, I am just hesitant because it's very costly for monitored cycles and I am 100% OOP. I've already spent over $6k cash last 2 months for monitored clomid IUI cycles. RE says it doesn't improve egg "quality" just quantity and since the quantity isn't what's holding me back (I'm guessing it's the fertilization/implanting), I am not sure if this is a good option for me.
It looks like you have done an injectable cycle, what are your thoughts on it?

I'm very sorry about your cyst. I know what a crappy Xmas "gift" that had to be.

Good luck on your continued journey!

Believe33

I would definitely consider seeing a new RE who is willing to prescribe letrozole.  My RE switched me from Clomid to Femara (letrozole) this cycle because he said letrozole does not adversely affect the lining like Clomid does.  He also gave me a research paper to read on letrozole.  The paper basically gives warning that letrozole is an "off label" use for IF, which means the FDA has not approved it specifically to treat IF.  Letrozole is actually approved by the FDA to treat post-menopausal women with breast cancer.  The paper goes on to say that many medications are used "off label".  There are some concerns that letrozole might increase risk of birth defects, but only if you are taking it while unknowingly pregnant.  My RE required me to take a HPT to make sure I was not pregnant before starting on Femara.  Letrozole has a short half-life and is cleared from your body in only 40 hours.  It will be completely out of your system by the time you ovulate and have a positive HPT.  Because letrozole does not have a lot of the adverse side effects that Clomid has, sometimes pregnancy rates can be slightly higher.

Hope this helps...GL! 

MichelleInNOLA

My issue was that I was not ovulating.  My OBGYN is a huge fan of Femara due to less side effects than Clomid and great success rates.  I have taken Femara twice... both times resulted in pregnancy.  (#1 pregnancy was a miscarriage at 8 weeks, #2 pregnancy was my full-term son.)

It is true that it is currently not FDA approved for infertility/ovulation/etc, which my doc explained before prescribing.  Obviously, insurance didn't cover it for me either, but only about ~$150 per prescription, which in the grand scheme of things is really nothing!

I understand an MD's reluctance to prescribe something off-label, but if I were you I'd try to find a doc who was willing to try Femara.  You can't argue with the success stories out there!  It's worth a shot.  Not to mention, we don't know where it is in the FDA approval situation either... who knows, it may come out next week as the "next big thing" for infertility treatment.  At which time I'm sure your original doc would probably be okay with prescribing it! 

whoberry

I have had like 9 Femara cycles for various reasons. I had fewer side effects than I did with clomid and even had a pregnancy which ended in a loss. It only costs me $10 a cycle for the medication.

I know it is an off label use so that's probably why your doctor won't prescribe it. Sounds like your doctor is very cautious. If you are interested in switching to Femara to save money instead of going the injectible route I would consider seeing a new doctor.  Good luck with your decision.

ANDOPANO6

Thank you ladies all for your thoughtful insight and I love to hear those success stories! I actually have an appointment with a new RE tomorrow and am hoping this new RE prescribes femara because I have heard many success stories and the side effects of clomid are SO bad for me.I hear what your saying, "how can you argue with progress"?

My current RE is overly cautous which is good, but I feel like might be holding me back since I don't ovulate on my own.

Appreciate your input and good luck to you all!