First FET and unsure of protocols

[Kitkat10]

Well I dared to have a little bit of hope that my fresh transfer would work but I have a BFN at 8dp5dt and my hope is gone 😢 I am trying to move forward and focus on a FET. I am extremely grateful to have produced 2 embryos apparently worthy of freezing at the age of 42, however I’m also very aware they may not be viable. But… to move forward.. I’m interested to know what FET protocols consist of drug and time wise. I am fed up of the stim drugs and really hoped the FET is less medicated than the fresh but I’m not sure this is the case. Please could anyone share their protocols for FET (I’m based in the UK if that makes a difference?)

Many thanks

[Kittykat198]

I’ve had the same protocol for both my fets. Both cycles medicated (I have pcos) so never had a natural fet. It does take a little longer for me than stims but a lot easier! I had no side effects except the usual progesterone nonsense.

I can’t take buserelin to “turn off” my ovaries so just took zumenon 3x per day from cd2 (estradiol thickens the lining). Scan after about 11 days to make sure ovaries “quiet” and endometrium of 7mm +. Then started progesterone for 5 days. Transfer and test in 2 weeks. Main pain is having to take medication 3 times a day for what feels like forever!

Both my transfers resulted in pregnancy (waiting now for scan).

Best of luck!

[Tnthketnf]

1. HRT protocol. Usually starts with downregulation like prostap, then estrogen (tablets and or patches) and progesterone pessaries or injections. The timeline is 6 weeks minimum. This is the most commonly referred as "medicated".

2. Natural transfer. Works with your natural ovulation which is confirmed by blood tests and/ or ultrasound. No meds at all or progesterone pessaries/injections. There are different times you can start progesterone in an Natural FET. 6 days before transfer or on the day of transfer.

3. Natural modified. The same as above only difference is a trigger injection to time ovulation and transfer. And progesterone. The timeline for both natural types is the length of your menstrual cycle.

4. Stimulated FET. Letrozole Tablets or FSH injections (the drugs they give you for growing your follicles in a egg retrieval cycle). The aim is to stimulate follicles to produce estrogen which in its turn will thicken your lining. They will not collect eggs this time. The length is this a mild stimulation cycle, more or less closer to the length of a menstrual cycle.

[Tnthketnf in reply to Tnthketnf]

I have only had the first two. No success with either. I prefer the natural though because you dont have the effects of the downregulation, meaning if it fails or you have to abandon the cycle before you transfer you don't have to wait until your cycle "resets". Studies shows no significant difference of the protocols in terms of success but you should raise this with your clinic. I am sure they will favour one approach over another based on their own evidence.

I think there was a recent study showing higher rates of miscarriages with the HRT but I am sure there are plenty of women in here alone that had their babies with the classic HRT.

Many clinics use the HRT because it's clinic friendly. They can schedule in transfers when it suits them as opposed to natural when they will have to adjust to your body. On the other hand of you don't ovulate on your own then natural isn't an option.

[Kitkat10 in reply to Tnthketnf]

thank you very much for this, this is so helpful x

[Tir-26]

natural wasn’t an option for me. My protocol is 6 weeks for FET using HRT. Hope this offers you some comfort that FET is a little quicker timeframe. The waiting is awful!

[Kitkat10 in reply to Tir-26]

thank you x