After help for a friend, only able to do natural transfers due to migraine?

[Sw1234]

You all helped me so much when I was on my fertility journey I was hoping you had some information to help my friend.When she was on a contraceptive pill she had to be on progesterone only as she'd previously had a migraine (only 1 or 2 in her lifetime). A couple of months ago she had an EC and transfer and seemed to be on a similar protocol to what I was on. Unfortunately, she went onto to have an ectopic pregnancy. She's now looking to do a frozen transfer but has been told she has to do a natural transfer, due to migraine and not being able to take estrogen. When I was going through IVF I can't ever remember being asked if I suffered from migraines.

Is the information my friend's been given correct? I had a migraine during my first pregnancy and went through EC/transfers again and took estrogen, I didn't even think to query it.

[ForABabyPanda]

I’m surprised about her pill experience given that I had lots of migraines and my doctor was still prepared to put me on combined pill. Even though I have endo I was given estrogen in both fresh and frozen cycle and now I have big cysts as a result. I would rather do natural without estrogen as my estrogen is really high and I get both migraines and endometriosis.

[Fruitandflowers]

I was taken off the pill due to getting one really terrible migraine (they thought I was having a stroke). And I'm always ill on synthetic oestrogen - I had to reduce it right down on my FETs from 3 a day to 1, then basically none as it made me so unwell and also my lining got too thick and uneven. I was about to do a natural FET having discussed with my clinic - not because of migraines but because I react badly to synthetic estrogen generally, and my lining and progesterone levels are much better naturally. All I needed for the clinic to be happy to go ahead was regular periods, and a blood test confirming ovulation and good progesterone levels the month before - some clinics do a lot more scans to double check but mine seemed pretty relaxed. I was warned that there's a much higher chance of having to cancel a natural FET as the transfer may fall on a day when the clinic can't do it (a weekend etc) but then you're not on any meds so nothing's wasted and you hopefully just try again the following month.

[Bookbroad]

I suffer from migraines regularly, my protocol has never been adapted to take this into account. I was however moved onto the progesterone only pill which I believe is recommended if you’re a regular migraine sufferer. Hope this helps

[Dinobaby05]

Hello, I’ve a history of chronic migraine and also had to be on the progesterone only pill. However, my clinic wasn’t concerned by this and I followed the same protocol for my EC and both FETs. Ironically, I felt okay while taking the oestrogen tablets but as soon as I started the Lubion injections, my migraines went into over drive and the only suggestion from the clinic was to stop the injections and to take an additional cyclogest pessary, again they weren’t too concerned. I will say a natural cycle wasn’t an option for me due to PCOS and irregular cycles so maybe that’s why it wasn’t offered!

[Sw1234]

Thank you all. Really helpful information, I had a natural transfer (didn't work) and was very anxious throughout, in case my period started on a day where I then couldn't have the transfer and found it very stressful, know some people prefer them but it wasn't for me. Based on your comments it doesn't seem to be standard to do natural transfers due to migraines so will make sure she speaks to the clinic about this

Thanks again 🥰

[Masief]

Hi there, I've opted for mainly natural FET as I have tracked my cycles and I ovulate and produce a good amount of progesterone. I would recommend a few months of tracking using clear blue advanced ovulation kits, getting progesterone measured on the equivalent of cycle day 21 and seeing if your friend has a predictable cycles. This helped my anxiety as I was very used to the process with little nervousness. My last clinic got me in for an ultrasound after I verified my ovulation peak to double check I ovulated too. It's so much kinder to your body. Before and after transfer I kept an eye on my progesterone levels too. I was on the smallest amount of progesterone as we could see I was naturally producing a good amount. Good luck to your friend!

[Rhubarb5]

I’m a migraine sufferer and have been for years and was on progesterone only pill. I was never told my ivf protocol had to be adjusted even though I did flag that I have migraines. Having said that, it was a natural FET that finally worked for me but I had other reasons for going natural.