Optimum timing between fresh cycles?

[Orangeflowers]

Hello all,

I hope you might be able to help with a query I have. I'm currently waiting for my next fresh collection cycle and have to wait for 3 periods following my withdrawal bleed. I'm hoping to have another fresh cycle in August, but I'm feeling really anxious about the timing as my clinic are a bit slow and unresponsive. Due to my age, the clock is ticking.

I'm trying to be pragmatic and realistic and plan for if I need another cycle.. at the rate my current clinic are going, I might be lucky to get another in by Xmas 😂 As time passes I fear the money I spend is less likely to succeed. I'm thinking I might need to go abroad, which has more logical issues and anxiety associated with it!

My clinic kind of indicated the wait is due to optimum time between treatments. However I've seen that more up to date indications suggest success is just as good with one withdrawal bleed and one period. I can see why it might be beneficial to allow inflammation to clear as well as any potential cysts from treatment. However I've also read that back to back cycles might be more beneficial for older ladies due to remaining stims in the system promoting growth of smaller follicles..

My question is - what time have you been advised you need to wait after having a fresh cycle before doing another fresh cycle/ frozen transfer??? (I'm told frozen transfer is one month quicker)

Thoughts and experiences very much appreciated.

Hope everyone's journeys are on track 🙂🤞xx

[Applepie7]

Hello my clinic always waited for 1 withdrawal bleed and 1 period. 3 months seems really long.

[Orangeflowers in reply to Applepie7]

Thank you for sharing! Did you find any difference in eggs collected and outcomes between the cycles? Is your clinic a local/NHS/London one or one of the bigger chains? I'm just wondering if there might be any company policy/ standard practice on this or whether its more often down to clinical opinion and service status.. Hope you're journey is going well 🙂x

[Applepie7 in reply to Orangeflowers]

No difference in terms of collection/transfers Im at private clinic in London self funded.

[Skittles11]

My first clinic were happy with the withdrawal bleed and one period in between. My current clinic said a few months ago that I could start again on the withdrawal bleed itself but this was not possible anyway due to follicles not recovering enough by that point. For some ladies the back to back cycles are fine but not for me xx

[Orangeflowers in reply to Skittles11]

Thank you for sharing. Your current clinic sounds very keen! I didn't think it was possible to start on the withdrawal bleed. That helps knowing that sometimes it does take time for recovery. Please can you share the types of clinic you were with that took these different approaches? E.g. local/NHS/London/chain (could you possibly pm me the names if easier). Thank you so much 🙂 I hope everything goes well for you. This journey is tough xx

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Check again with your clinic - reason for waiting is to ensure your body [ and you ] have a chance to recover from the effects of the medicationTake care

Janet

[Orangeflowers in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you. Unfortunately my clinic aren't that responsive. I'll need to wait for a paid consultation or to be in clinic or actively on a cycle to have opportunity to query this x

[DJ202]

Hi Orange, different women's bodies will respond differently. I've done 2 back to back cycles with a month's break in between and this second cycle was the very worst I've ever had - with a cyst, only 2 eggs retrieved, neither of which fertilised. I think my body wasn't able to cope with all the meds in that short period of time! But for others back to back cycles might work well as your body is already prepped. Wishing you luck whatever you decide! x

[Orangeflowers in reply to DJ202]

Thank you so much for your response. I'm sorry it didn't work out well for you that time. Maybe I need to be more patient! I hope your luck turns around xx

[DJ202 in reply to Orangeflowers]

Thank you lovely! I'm currently 13 weeks pregnant and count myself very lucky! x

[Orangeflowers in reply to DJ202]

Congratulations 💐 Hope you have a great pregnancy xx

[DJ202 in reply to Orangeflowers]

Thank you! x

[ourbundleofjoy]

My first clinic (NHS founded) was also happy with the withdrawal bleed and one period in between. However, at that time I was mentally not ready to start again and therefore I had 6 months gap in between my first two cycles.

As some of the ladies suggested, if I were you I would also express my concerns to the consultant regarding time and ask what his/hers reasons for the delay are. All the best, xxx

[Orangeflowers in reply to ourbundleofjoy]

Thank you, that's good to know x