lining is thinner than it was?!?! - edited

[Melody79]

Hi all, so I had my day 11 scan for FET cycle and lining was 6.9mm and today at day 15 is 6.3mm it's good quality and triple layer.

This is the 3rd try for a FET and they increased meds to taking progy 4 times a day (8mg) and patches and this time is worse.

Cycle 1 was 6mg Prog and lining was 7.5mm on day 18 - cancelled

Cycle 2 was 8mg prog and got to 7.7mm on day 18 - cancelled

Cycle 3 8mg prog and patches and 6.9mm day 11 then 6.3mm on day 15 - cancelled

My periods aren't the best - they are regular but they are light - bleed around 2 days at the most.

I took cetrotide from day 2 also to shut off ovaries and am wondering if without taking this would be better? They are looking at maybe a natural mod cycle with Letrozole?

Just to add i done all the extras - took Vit e, L-Arginie, castor oil and hot water bottle, some yoga, rasp leaf tea - none of these have seemed to make a bit of a difference

Anyone offer any advice? am feeling at such a loss now 😪😪

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Melody. Oh dear that's a nuisance! Hopefully the increased meds will help to build up your lining some more. Good luck! Diane

[Tnthketnf]

Hi

I am so sorry this happened to you. It is very upsetting.

A very similar thing happened to me on Friday.

My lining at 13 days of progynova (8mg) was 6.7mm (there was triple line) i asked to take more progynova and they said no. So at 17 days went down to 5.5 (no information on triple line). I had some cramping and tiny spotting in the meantime.

In my case the lining was deemed not optimal and my cycle was cancelled. No explanation from my clinic as to why this might have happened. One of the ladies in here said that she was told this can happen when you increase the estrogen.

As for the cetrotide i don't know, is this because of the shortage of the spray or standard protocol? My clinic gives you a prostap injection at start and then buserelin spray but this time the spray was in shortage so I was downregulated with 2 prostap injections .

The first 17 days before i started progynova and the second at 9days of taking progynova. Of course now I stopped the progynova tablets and i have no idea when i will get my period. I will not be able to even plan a transfer for another 2-3 months🤬.

Some people say Vit e hot water bottle gentle exercise raspberry leaf teat etc can help. I don't think they helped me.

There are other protocfor transfer. Natural, modified natural, mild stimulation. Speak to your clinic and see what they think.

I hope you get answers from your clinic. x

[Melody79 in reply to Tnthketnf]

so sorry you you in the same boat

Yes, i was on 8mg progynova and then patches (changed 2 times a week). It seems that upping the dose has made it worse this time.

clinic also couldn't explain why. I guess more estrogen isn't the option.

No, i had cetrotide on the other cycles and this worked fine to down reg.

On the cycles i had cancelled my period showed up after 44 days, i then done another round which was cancelled and then took a break and then this round, now cancelled.

I hope you aren't waiting too long x

[Tnthketnf in reply to Melody79]

Thank you for your reply. It really sucks. They never know why. I will have a consultation and ask more questions but i don't expect much.

[Melody79 in reply to Tnthketnf]

yes, i'm going to have another consult also...just feel like a test rabbit and wonder what's best. Also, this is so hard on our bodies all the meds and worry, i'm sure that can't help xx take care

[Habibi87]

I am so sorry your cycle was cancelled. It’s so painful and disappointing. My medicated FET was cancelled as my lining was not thick enough and I also had some fluid. I was really upset as during my two cycles for egg collection they had always told me my lining was really good though not needed as we were freezing everything. I insisted that my next FET would not be medicated and actually the lining was great (both with natural FET and with stimulated FET). If your cycles are regular enough maybe you could try a natural FET? Wishing you the best of luck xx

[Melody79 in reply to Habibi87]

thank you, yes we are looking at natural or modified. What is a stimulated FET? Not sure for Natural as my cycle is regular but periods are very light and i only reached 8.2mm on my fresh cycles with all the stim meds xx

[Habibi87 in reply to Melody79]

I think 8mm is considered Ok! A stimulated FET is very similar to what you do for egg collection, just with less medicines as you don’t need as many eggs as possible given there is no collection. They monitor you closely and then give you a trigger shot to ensure ovulation happens.

[Melody79 in reply to Habibi87]

Thank you. It just felt that it was all over after 3 cycles being cancelled but they called me to say Dr will review and we can see about medicated cycle instead 🤞x

[Missl73]

This happened to me before, my body doesn’t do well on a medicated FET or respond to synthetic estrogen. If your cycles are regular you may find a natural or natural modified works much better it did for me. How’s your lining on a fresh cycle? I’ve done both a modified FET with very low dose stims and one just completely natural only a trigger shot and for both my lining was over 8mm no trouble x

[Melody79 in reply to Missl73]

thank you, i'm seeing that most respond better on natural or modified FET's. It got to 8.2mm on my last fresh cycle. Good to hear and giving me some positivity on a dull day xx

[Missl73 in reply to Melody79]

I remember how frustrated I was so I feel for you. I got my son from the natural cycle after so hopefully it does the trick for you 🤞🤞

[Hoop123]

Ah I'm so sorry, I definitely feel your pain. My lining also had a round where it shrunk! After increasing progynova.

I would add another vote for trying a natural modified or stimulated FET. I got my best lining using that protocol and I did NOT use arginine, vit E or raspberry leaf tea in that round, which was successful for me after lots of previous attempts. If you're reaching 8mm on a fresh round then it sounds promising for you!

I also cut out all coffee that time (I used to have one a day in previous rounds) and I was on Viagra to help increase blood flow.

Lots to think about but I'm so sorry you're stuck with trial and error at the moment. Xx

Edit: I also think light exercise helped!

[Melody79 in reply to Hoop123]

Thank you. Yes, i'm seeing a lot of people suggesting natural mod or stim cycle so am not completely out - just got to be strong and keep fighting (saying with tears in my eyes). Interesting that you didn't use arginine or vit e and the tea..would be nice to not think about taking all these extras and just the meds (as that is what they should be doing).

Only have 1 coffee usually so happy to give that up to make this work. My clinic doesn't use viagra so not sure i can get this i'll have to see with the above and add some light exercise in daily. I'm going to have to wait now until the new year as now coming off the estrogen cycle and then got to wait for Dr appt for new protocol and the dec isn't the best time for clinics.

But thank you for the reply, it really means a lot x

[Hoop123 in reply to Melody79]

Just happy to help and maybe provide a few options. I definitely feel the pain!

And yes, I quite liked not taking those extra supplements. What I did add (sorry I forgot) was high dose omega 3. I saw a fertility nutritionist who helped me on the supplements side. I think she would usually say take vit E but I have a slight bleeding disorder (bleed too much not the clotting version) so we struck that one out. Do DM for their name if you'd like to speak to her before your next round in the new year?

Otherwise I've got my fingers crossed for you. I'm sorry you have to wait a bit longer xx

[Tnthketnf]

Hi again, i have been looking online about different ways to prepare the lining in FET. This table sums it all up. I hope ot helps anyone looking for information in here.

Suppression- prostap, cetrotide etc anything they use to stop ovulation.

Luteal support -progesterone pessaries or injections

Modified-using an hcg trigger injection to time ovulation

Stimulation-like in an egg retrieval cycle only they don't collect eggs.

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[Melody79 in reply to Tnthketnf]

Thank you for this. Well have tried the top one 3 times so leaves the others x

[Libsie3103]

I’m so sorry to hear this it’s so tough & really frustrating. I wanted to give you some hope! I had 3 cycles cancelled for the same reason as you - my lining was too thin or started to breakdown so we agreed to cancel. They believe I’m resistant to artificial estrogen so increasing the dose doesn’t do anything at all. I had a natural FET and got pregnant with my now daughter. I was really reluctant to try it as something tells you that you need the medication and also my periods were extremely light (like yours) so I was convinced I’d have no lining. But it worked! I My most recent cycle I did a mild stimulated cycle taking a low dose of stims and I had a great lining. Hang in there and see if your Consultant will discuss other options.

[Melody79 in reply to Libsie3103]

Thank you so much for this. I did read your other posts about your journey yesterday so thank you for getting in touch. Same here - thinking all the meds are needed as i can't seem to fall pregnant on my own. Congratulations on your daughter I will be ready to try again as soon as i can x

[Melody79 in reply to Libsie3103]

did you take other supplements to aid with the stim cycle?

[Libsie3103 in reply to Melody79]

Hey, I took loads of supplements!! But E, Vit D, Vit b12, Vit B Complex, Zinc, Uniquinol and others I’m sure! I also drank raspberry leaf tea, loads of water and walked. I also did acupuncture but interestingly not on my successful transfer as my acupuncturist was on holiday. Wishing you lots of luck xx

[HemBella]

Hi Melody

I have the same problem. Lots of fantastic advice in the posts already. I'd just like to add that the thickness of the womb lining might vary. Clinics always aim for 8mm as a minimum, but ive never achieved this. My lining is "beautifully trilamer" as they always describe it, but I usually aim for about 7.4mm and have had transfers at 7.1mm. Its worth asking for opinions on what is realistic for you.

Good luck xx

[Melody79 in reply to HemBella]

Thank you for this. Mine was also described as 'beautiful trilamer' and nurse said we don't want to not try when it looks that good. They are going to review and they will try another approach but have said it may be that I do only reach the 7mm stage x