Can't even make it to the Beta. What are we missing??

lafayettegirl · March 2011

This is my 3rd fresh cycle and each time I can't make it to the scheduled beta without my period starting. Every time it shows up 1-2 days early. FETs usually get to the scheduled beta without any bleeding. I take my prometrium religiously 3 times a day. My doctor wasn't concerned the first time. Last time he expressed some definite questions. I can't imagine what he will say when I come in tomorrow. We've checked everything we possibly can and nothing seems to explain it, nor the infertility in general.

Does this happen to anyone else? Any suggestions?

sarah0925 · March 2011

I'm not an expert, someone else probably has more experience with this, but if I remember from my reading I think it has something to do with the luteal phase and progesterone. It must be so incredibly frustrating. I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope your RE has some good ideas for you.

dreamalotmp · March 2011

I haven't made it to beta yet - although I've only done two medicated IUIs (I do take progesterone though). I'm praying that I do this time, but I don't think I will.

If it isn't too sensitive a question... how old are you? I'm 40 and I'm worried that I'm not making it to beta because my cycles are getting shorted due to age. Otherwise, I have no ideas. I wish I knew. It is incredibly frustrating. I'm sorry. Sad

Edwina.McDunnough · March 2011

I never had breakthrough bleeding with my IUIs, but for IVF1 I juuuust made it to beta, IVF 2 I started bleeding early, maybe 11dpER. So we upped my progesterone, all was fine for IVF3. New RE will be using PIO.

My LP is usu 11 days, the progesterone lengthens my cycle. You can do DE up to age 55 or whatever, so age has nothing to do with it if you're getting the hormones somehow.

lafayettegirl · March 2011

I just turned 36 two weeks ago. I've had no prior luteal phase problems that anyone can find and none showed up when I wasted all that time charting. Matter of fact, I have no problems with anything that anyone can find. And trust me, I've had an entire village visit my nether regions and suck blood out of every vein over the last 3.5 years.

What really sucks is that this is the last fresh cycle we will do. We'll transfer any other embryos we have and then we're done. We can't continue to do this to ourselves. (Although hats off to the couples that continue after IVF#3 - I wish I had that kind of strength.)

patchen30 · March 2011

(Ticker warning)

I've had spotting in my LP during IVF cycles that were BFNs and my RE said that the spotting (and I assume he'd say the same for bleeding) was a result of not being pregnant - not that the spotting caused me to not get pregnant. When you're not pregnant, the E2 drops which can cause breakthrough bleeding. So, according to him, it's not a LP problem, but rather just a result of the cycle not working.

You've had all the standard AFC/E2/AMH/FSH tests done I assume? How many eggs are they retrieving and what do they say about the quality of the embryos?

Have you gotten a second opinion?

I'm so sorry you've had to go through all this. ((HUGE hugs)) to you sweetie.

dreamalotmp · March 2011

I'm def confused by it then. I thought it was just another evil sign that I'm too old to be trying this. Either way... it is def so frustrating.

lovemygs · March 2011

I don't have an answer, but I'm so sorry you're going through this. It must be incredibly frustrating.

Hope you get some answers soon!

Mayan2011 · March 2011

On the day of ET, my RE's nurse told me that many ladies will get their period if they aren't pregnant and not to be alarmed if this happens. I got mine before my beta, they still had me go in for my beta, and at the WTF my RE didn't mention anything about it. I am gearing up for IVF 2 and my RE still hasn't said anything about upping my progesterone and to be honest, I didn't think getting my period while on progesterone was an issue, especially after the dialogue I had with the nurse. After seeing this post, I will bring it up, but I really don't think it is anything to worry about.

STL34 · March 2011

You might need better progesterone support for IVF cycles. With IVF many women don't produce progesterone initially because the eggs are all removed before ovulation (something about ovulation triggers prog production). Anyhow, you might ask to use PIO next time around. My RE has everyone use PIO and endomentrin (progesterone) suppositories starting PIO day of ER and supps sometime after ER.

naybird · March 2011

I'm sorry you are going through this. I can imagine it is terribly frustrating.

Regarding Progesterone. My RE has me doing the PIO shots and the suppositories at night. And after a BFN my AF shows the very next day...

hollymichael · March 2011

I typically have a short-ish LP, but with progesterone support, I have never gotten AF before stopping progesterone. Even with my DE cycle, where my body did not produce any of its own progesterone, I did not get AF early. Are you on estrogen at all after transfer? I noticed another poster mentioned that a drop in estrogen can also cause break through bleeding. I wonder if estrogen support might keep AF away.

lafayettegirl · March 2011

Thanks gang! I appreciate the suggestions and the hugs.

To answer someone's questions - I've had all the tests anyone can think of and we've gotten a second opinion. Egg quality isn't poor - not fabulous, but my doctor has gotten way worse to work in other women. Nothing wrong with the uterus that anyone can find. It just isn't working.

Went in for the beta today, just to be sure. I believe we have 2 embryos left - the office is double checking. I expect one to make it through the thaw and that will be our last shot. Once we've transfered him, we're done with IVF.

Thanks for the support!

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