ibuprofen and Frozen cycle - Fertility Network UK

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ibuprofen and Frozen cycle

Rol81 profile image
26 Replies

Hi, I’ve just got my period, I suffer really painful periods and normally take painkillers , I can get through today and tomorrow but I have a wedding Saturday . Can I take ibuprofen or it’s not advised ?

I’m doing a natural frozen cycle, first scan is next week, cycle day 9.

Thanks

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Rol81 profile image
Rol81
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26 Replies
JA-fnuk profile image
JA-fnukPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

Best not to take ibuprofen if trying to get pregnant see nhs.uk " Who can and cannot take or use Ibuprofen " Paracetamol is a better option Hope you enjoy the wedding

Take care

Janet

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toJA-fnuk

Ok, I’ll just skip the wedding if needed. Thanks for replying 😊

Yes I was told never to take it since trying....

X

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply to

I’ve always taken it , my consultant told me it was fine 🙄 So frustrating . I will try get through the next few days. I have ado and endo so I’m in bed all day today, let’s hope by Saturday I feel a bit better 🤞🙈Thanks for replying xx

in reply toRol81

I was told it messes with ovulation in some ways - wish I could find the article the doctor showed me......so frustrating, sorry you are feeling poorly.....Janet said maybe Paracetamol? X

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply to

Tbh I’ve read it myself somewhere too, and as Janet advised the NHS say the same. But my consultant said it was fine as long as it wasn’t during a cycle 🙄I struggle so badly, it’s debilitating . I actually book time off work cus I can’t cope.

Another reason I’d love to get pregnant , no periods for a few months 🙈 xxxx thanks

Roobs33 profile image
Roobs33

I’ve always been told to stay away from any anti inflammatories during ivf prep or pregnancy. So I’ve avoided it for about 6 months now. I have severe endo and very painful periods and take co-codamol when things are unbearable. I had to get them from the GP though. I think you can get them from a chemist but they are just a milder dosage. X

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toRoobs33

I wish I’d know this, I’ve been on naproxen before last couple of cycles. I thought it was just during ivf 🙄It’s defo ok to take Co codamol though? Thanks.

Roobs33 profile image
Roobs33

I think any NSAID drugs are best to be avoided. From what I’ve read it’s safe to take paracetamol or codeine after egg collection, so not actually sure about the first half of a cycle. Thinking about it I’ve only ever taken paracetamol during a cycle and only taken the co-codamol between cycles. I would check with your clinic and GP maybe before trying anything new. I’m sorry you have so much pain. I’ve been making hot turmeric oat drinks at night to try and reduce the inflammation a bit too. I hope that your pain eases off soon xx

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toRoobs33

Thank you. And thanks to everyone replying. I feel really stupid but I specifically asked my consultant and she recommended I take ibuprofen every 4-6 hours to help !! And my first failed cycle I had been on naproxen for about 3 weeks, she said it was fine, just stop when I’m doing the actually cycle . 🙄I literally cannot trust anything the clinic say without double checking on here 🙈

I’ll try the turmeric thanks xx.

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

I was told after egg collection not to take Ibrofen as a pain killer (at that stage, was told it was okay before) as it can affect lining (they said I could have 1 straight after egg collection if I needed it but no more after as it was too close to fresh transfer a few days later) so doesn't sound like you have to worry about any Ibrofen you have taken in the past of its just about that monthly lining and ovulation cycle by the sounds of it (I also use Ibrofen for periods and migraines but just not on the month of a transfer) Paracetamol is totally fine and cocodamol if needed. It may also affect ovulation but if you are doing a natural cycle I imagine they will be tracking your ovulation anyway so you should know if you ovulate and exactly when.

It’s not advised in pregnancy because there is not enough research into the affects of it as an anti inflammatory on pregnancy and it may affect babies organs is my understanding from midwife so I think that’s separate to this part from what I can tell.

Enjoy the wedding xx

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toTwiglet2

Thanks twiglet2 , really helpful ❤️

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy

A few doses of ibuprofen during a period aren't going to affect anything negatively. Ibuprofen should be avoided when TTC as it should be avoided during pregnancy due to effects on uterine blood flow, so if you aren't pregnant then it's not really an issue. There is some evidence it can affect ovulation but again a couple of doses during the first couple of days of your period are not going to affect that. I take buscopan for severe period pain (as it is a muscle relaxant) and that is fine to be taken before implantation (I took it in the first few days of my successful TWW based on research that it can improve IVF outcomes). xx

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toPurpledoggy

My pain is so bad but I always limit taking 2 tablets a day . Instead I’ve started booking time off work now every month to cope 😔 Thanks for all the advice , the buscopan info is very interesting !

Xxx

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy in reply toRol81

You poor thing, that sounds wretched. Xx

happilyevershahs profile image
happilyevershahs

As you are doing a natural frozen cycle, I would refrain from taking Ibuprofen, but best to ask your nurse/consultant.

Puhi profile image
Puhi

I have severe period pain, to the point of being hospitalized every time and having to call an ambulance. After years of trying different stuff I found a couple natural things that really help - Dong Quai liquid extract and turmeric powder. They’ve been amazing for me and they actually stimulate a healthy ovulation. Also I have stayed off gluten for a month now and in my last period HALF of the pain was gone. I couldn’t believe it. I was working on my feet all day long on the first day of my period…that’s unheard of. I’ve always known gluten was bad for you, but this blew my mind. A friend of mine told me she got pregnant after staying off gluten for a year, so I decided to try it. I just hope I won’t have to wait that long…

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toPuhi

I’m so sorry you suffer so badly too. It’s so horrible isn’t it, I get anxious for a week before it even starts, not knowing how awful or how I’m going to cope. I’ll try cutting down on gluten and a few now have mention turmeric so I need to get on that. Do you just add the powder to your food ?

Thanks xx

Puhi profile image
Puhi in reply toRol81

Yes, I add a teaspoon of the powder to any food I’m eating, 2-3 times a day. Also lots of magnesium malate and calcium the week before. They’re good for the pain because they relax all muscles, in the abdomen too, and prevent cramps. Also help to sleep and prevent headaches ; I get terrible pms, migraines and insomnia a week before my period.

MariaHdz profile image
MariaHdz

Ibuprofen can interfer with ovulation (if you are doing a natural FET this is important), so it is better to take paracetamol.

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toMariaHdz

Thanks Maria, I’m going to avoid. Sometimes a glass of wine helps but I can’t do that either 🙄🫢 xxx

MariaHdz profile image
MariaHdz in reply toRol81

Well if your period came and you are not pregnant, you can have that glass of wine. Just avoid alcohol after the transference. I send you a hug, you don't have it easy. I hope you feel better soon.

MariaHdz profile image
MariaHdz in reply toMariaHdz

That said, i broke my foot last month and the doctor said that in that case the benefit for me, was bigger than the risk so he told me to take ibuprofen (not so much, and to try first paracetamol) but to not be brave and stand the pain. So if you are in a lot of pain and your doctor said is ok, then it is ok :)

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toMariaHdz

Thanks Maria. I’ll get through it 🙌 thanks for your messages. Hope your foot is better xxx

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

Hi Rol. All anti-inflammatory drugs can sometimes cause problems with the foetal heart. Baby doesn’t use part of the heart whilst still in your womb, as it can’t breathe oxygen. There is a special opening that closes off when baby is born to allow him/her to breathe oxygen, and these drugs can cause this “duct” to fail to close. As we are not always aware that we are first pregnant, it is best to steer clear of anti-inflammatory drugs, which can also cause bleeding in “mum-to-be” too. Yes, apparently it can interfere with ovulation too. Hope that helps. Diane

Rol81 profile image
Rol81 in reply toDianeArnold

Thanks Diane .x

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