melatonin. Not helpful for sleep.

[Cuppppatea]

I started taking melatonin about two weeks ago for my cycle which is starting in the next couple of weeks. I have had really broken sleep lately. Isn’t the melatonin supposed to help?

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Melatonin can be be used short -term to help sleep issues .Could be with treatment etc you are feeling more anxious than usual and this is effecting your sleeping pattern .Try relaxing bath - milky drink- do not use lap top , mobile phone in the evening Have a cool bedroom and read calming book Hoping these measures are helpful and you get a better nights sleep

Thinking of you

Janet-Partner

[Tarasunny]

I took melatonin for one of my cycles and it made my sleep poorer. I ended up halving the dose and this really helped.

[Cuppppatea in reply to Tarasunny]

Thank you. I think it’s making my sleep poorer so I wonder if it’s still beneficial. I am on 3mg

[Lily_82]

Can I ask how much you are taking and how long / often before cycle?

I have suggested melatonin to my consultant and he agreed but couldn’t advise on details. I have bought 3mg and read that some studies proved it helped taking every day from starting injections but not sure if that’s best?

I am starting a cycle in a few weeks also and wishing you good luck!

[Cuppppatea in reply to Lily_82]

I started it on this period on day 5 - 3mg. I started progesterone on day 18 for 10 days until a bleed and then I will start injections. I will carry on taking it until egg collection.

[Cuppppatea in reply to Cuppppatea]

I think a few weeks before injections is preferable. This is my second ivf cycle and I’ve not tried the melatonin before. Good luck to you also!! When do you start?

[Lily_82 in reply to Cuppppatea]

Sounds like you are on a long protocol. I will start a short one in around 2-3 weeks when get a period. I hope you manage to get more sleep soon!

[Purpledoggy]

Too high dose of melatonin has the opposite effect. I can’t take more than 1.5mg without it stopping me sleeping. If you can, try halving them xx

[Cuppppatea in reply to Purpledoggy]

who knew! omg thanks for the reply. I cant halve as they are capsules eeeek

[Purpledoggy]

You could try tipping contents out, halving, then replacing. If it helps then buy some empty capsules (or capsules with bland thing eg psyllium in) for the other half so you don’t waste any. Xx

[Cuppppatea]

thanks! Very clever

Do you think the 3mg will have been helpful or detrimental? Bit worried I’ve gone the other way now

[Purpledoggy in reply to Cuppppatea]

1.5-3mg is the amount used in studies for egg quality/IVF. So you definitely haven’t overdone it. 2-4 weeks before egg collection IIRC. So you should be fine. Just don’t take it long term-it’s only meant to be taken for short periods xx

[Oopsieloopsy]

I took it unrelated to fertility just to help with jet lag as a flight attendant but it never worked for me. Only thing that helps me is nurofen which obviously not recommended when trying or magnesium spray.

[Christianbaby]

I took 3mg of melatonin before and apparently the dose was too much. Instead of being able to sleep more soundly, I would toss and turn and just overall have a difficult time sleeping. My doctor said try to take them in halves and, surprisingly that worked much, much better. Good luck. Hope you get a good night's sleep soon. x