First IVF Cyle - Endo sufferer - What should I be doing to prepare?

[Behind_Hazel_Eyes]

Hi All!

Just looking for some advice about what to do prior to a IVF cycle.

Bit of background… I have stage 4 endometriosis, kissing ovaries, 5cm cyst on one ovary and a small fibroid. My partner and I have been TTC for 6 years. The years of lack of success led to a lot of weight gain as I took comfort in food. I was on the NHS list for IVF but was taken off it 2 years ago because of my weight. However, over the last 14 months I have lost 12 stone trying to improve my fertility. Since June 2023, I changed to an anti-inflammatory diet (no gluten, no dairy, no processed sugar, no caffeine, no alcohol) really for the endometriosis symptoms I had. I very rarely have anything with these in it now. I was in crippling pain for half of every month before my period up until ovulation. Since going on this diet my symptoms have totally gone. No longer in pain which is great 😊 I now eat a range of veggies every day, 6-7 portions (usually the likes of kale, spinach, asparagus, tomato, cabbage, leek etc). Nuts and lean protein (eggs, chicken and salmon, very rarely any beef). I do intermittent fasting 16 hours a day. I have also reduced my carb intake during the week to 50g. So I now only have carb rich food at the weekend (eg, rice, potatoes etc). Also drinking 2 litres of water a day along with herbal teas (ginger, green and rooibos). I walk everyday 30-45 minutes. I also do acupuncture once a month around ovulation. However still no success on the baby front. My BMI is now 31.5 (It was originally 57.9). My recent fertility results show normal AMH for my age, I am 36. Also follicle wise they said from my scan it looked like I had a good number and despite my endo they think they may be able to get access to one of my ovaries. I also appear to ovulate each month, going by my clear blue monitors, usually around day 16. However, my partner is very heavy. His recent fertility results show his morphology and mobility is below the normal level ☹ I found out on Friday that we have been approved for 1 round of private ICSI cycle. Delighted, honestly… it feels likes the months of hard work have been worth it for this chance. I just want to try to give this the best shot we can.

I currently take the following supplements:

Zita West Vitafem

Omega 3 (2000mg fish oil with 440mg DHA)

Vitamin C 200mg

CoQ10 200mg

Zinc 3mg

Magnesium 120mg

Proxeed women (just started last week)

My partner is on the following:

Wellman Vitabiotics

Ultra Lycopene 15mg

CoQ10 200mg

Proxeed men (just started taking this week)

Is their anything else we should be doing or taking prior and during this cycle? Did anyone else find the IVF drugs aggravated their endo?

Thank you 🙂

[Ree_Laine]

Hi Lovely, I also have endo but didn’t know I had it until after my egg collection back in 2022, collected 15 eggs but 1 embryo of satisfactory quality. I don’t think I was prepared properly for my 1st round of IVF so I’m now doing a lot of things that you’re doing in regards to diet changes, acupuncture and supplements for my 2nd round in the spring. It sounds like you have done the research and made an amazing and inspiring transformation for the better. You should be very proud of yourself as it seems as though you’re very prepared. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in your journey xx 💕

[Behind_Hazel_Eyes in reply to Ree_Laine]

Hi Ree_Laine, thank you for your message and your kind comments. Good luck for your 2nd round. Fingers crossed for you 🍀

[Purplehedgehog87]

So my husband is also very heavy but has lost some weight. He had issues and intermittently since with morphology and motility. His volume and count are always low. The thing that has made biggest different to him is : Mediterranean diet, reducing alcohol, taking inpryl, bud and lycopene (will find dosage), going to cooler underwear (bamboo) and using a vasectomy cooling pad. It takes 3 months for sperm to be formed so its important to start ASAP. If he smokes he should stop as well (mu husband vapes instead, not ideal but better than smoking).Supplements for hubby and diet should include omega 3, fertility targeted supplements and if you can afford it for borh of you, ubiquinol is better absorbed than coq10, 100mg a day for him and 600mg for you. Check out it starts with the egg.

Have they done investigations for you such as lap, hyscosy and checked your dh for a varicocele? That can increase blood flow and heat in testes but he really needs to try and lose weight too, just as you have.

Ps well done on all your weight loss, its so hard! I have endo too but also pcos so although I'm OK weight now, it's still a battle to keep in check.

Best of luck

[Nabsal in reply to Purplehedgehog87]

Vasectomy cooling pad from where I can get

[Behind_Hazel_Eyes]

Hi Purplehedgehog87, thank you for your reply. I had a lap years ago in 2017 but none since, just vaginal scans and had a hysteropingogram last year. Tubes adnormal but patent. They thought they saw some fluid in one of my tubes during a scan before approval for ivf. But were ok to go ahead given the results of my hysteropingoram. Husband has never been checked for a varicole. Been trying to get him to lose some weight but its a uphill battle! Will keep trying. Buying ubiquinol now for sure. I have it starts with the egg on order. Hopefully it gets here soon!

[Nabsal]

hi lovely you already doing so much. Just try to add alpha lipoic acid 600mg and Nac 600mg but if you have thyroid issue then don’t take alpha one but can take NAC. I am also taking these as going for second round soon.

[Behind_Hazel_Eyes in reply to Nabsal]

Hi Nabasal, I will definitely try NAC 600mg. Unfortuantely I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis (though my levels are normal, just on a high dose of thyroxine!) so can't take the Alpha Lipoic Acid. Good luck for your 2nd round!

[Nabsal]

yes me too can’t take alpha lipoic acid as am also on levothyroxine