I've had one cycle of IVF which resulted in one fresh and one frozen transfer, both failed. Both times I had progesterone pessaries, and from what I've read the progesterone should keep your period at bay until you stop taking it - after the day 10 negative pregnancy test. But in both cases I've started bleeding 2-4 days before the testing date, and it's been a full, normal period.
I have my last scan of my current cycle tomorrow, and I'm hoping to get the go-ahead for collection on Wednesday. As long as Wednesday is confirmed I think I'm going to mention the bleeding in previous cycles, and ask if it could be due to insufficient progesterone. Is that a reasonable thing to ask/is this something anyone else has experienced? I hate asking questions that are totally stupid, so it would just be helpful to know if the progesterone-period connection is correct!
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Kcass33
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I’m sorry to hear about your failed cycle. I think it’s always worth an ask re progesterone.
I am constantly asking questions! Please don’t feel bad. They never make me feel stupid when I call!
I started bleeding 3 days after transfer in my second cycle. Clinic did nothing for that cycle and refused to test my progesterone but did increase the dose for my frozen round.
I bled 9 days after transfer first cycle which they said was normal and fine. In my next two transfers I had no bleeding with the higher dose (but miscarried and then chemical).
I was given injections and pesseries after my second round instead of crinone gel that I don’t think I absorbed at all.
Best of luck for your collection!
I am sorry about your failed cycles
It’s certainly a reasonable thing to ask, and I asked my consultant the same as on my failed rounds I often bled as early as 7dpt. In my case my consultant said it wasn’t necessarily that my progesterone was too low but actually just that my body knew it wasn’t pregnant and so all hormones including things like oestrogen dropped too and my period came. He said it was a reaction to the lack of implantation rather than a problem that prevented it x
I had the same on my first two cycles so for my 3rd as well as the pessaries 3 times a day my clinc added in Lubion (its a progesterone drug) 25mg injection a day. Had no bleeding at all this time. Might be worth asking your clinic if they can add something like that in x
I had the same issues. With my first 3 transfers I was just on utrogestan pessaries and never made an OTD as my period started. I changed clinics as I was not happy with them and mentioned the bleeding and for my next transfer was on the pessaries and lubion injections and got my BFP!! Could all be coincidence but I’m so glad I voiced my concerns and something was being done to change things. Good luck xx
Similar to some other responses - had two transfers that ended in early losses, and spotted before OTD on one. I was on cyclogest pessaries for those. I also always had bleeding and spotting before my periods which was never explained. So I was convinced it was a progesterone issue. For my third and successful transfer, a FET, my consultant put me on utrogestan and lubion injections. He also increased to two injections per day during the 2ww. It may have been chance but my consultant said you can't have too much progesterone, and I would do the pessaries and injections again. Definitely not a stupid question x
Hi Koala. It could just be a sign of irritation from the pessaries, or even infection. If you are using pessaries vaginally, then perhaps try inserting them in your back passage for the same absorbancy result. Good luck! Diane
I bled before test date on my 1st transfer, so my clinic added lubion in after that. 2nd transfer I didn’t bleed pre test date, and got a BFP that ended in missed miscarriage at 11 weeks. Then 3rd transfer I bled before test date even with the lubion. 4th transfer I didn’t bleed pre test date and got a BFP but sadly this week at 12 week scan diagnosed with missed miscarriage. So I don’t think I have an answer to the question but the same issue! Side note - my 2 failed cycles were fresh transfers, 2 ‘successful cycles were FETs. Hope collection has gone well for you!
I'm reading this a year later - have you had a rainbow baby yet, or are you still trying? I've been thinking about your post all day and my heart goes out to you.
Our 5th transfer was a success (despite bleeding all the way up to 14 weeks!), and I am currently 35 weeks pregnant. Still very much keeping our fingers crossed for the next few weeks, it doesn’t seem real yet but we are hopefully so close!
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