Hello,
I’ve got PCOS but ovulate and have an average cycle of 32 days. I’ve been told I have a thin lining 4-5mm. I saw a private dr who gave me cyclogest post ovulation and I’ve used it for two cycles, which have both resulted in a negative test. Does anyone know what the treatment is for a thin lining? I know ovulation induction can thin the lining but wondering if anything else bar IVF? What’s the waiting time on NHS for IVF in London? Thanks
Hi, as far as I'm aware progesterone helps maintain the lining, but doesn't thicken it. Oestrogen supplementation such as vagifem should thicken the lining. It certainly worked for me. I have just been through a round of IVF. My lining wasn't getting above 5mm on its own, so they prescribed me vagifem, after 2 days the lining was up to 7mm and one day later it was 9.2mm! You could also try oestrogen patches in addition.x
I had treatment in Spain.
I had a thin lining, couldn’t get it past 5.5mm. I had an additional treatment to help thicken my lining.
In the first instance they did a hysteroscopy, the following day they took lots of blood from me and isolated the platlets. A week later I went back for instillations, the platlets were injected into my endometrial lining.
I dont think this a a procedure offered in the uk. My lining went from 5.5mm - 9.0mm for transfer day.
My progesterone level dropped drastically after transfer and I was put on lunion injections until 12 weeks.
I am now 28 weeks pregnant and so thankful that we listened and tried the additional procedure!!
Best of luck
Congratulations- that’s wonderful news and nice to read something positive.
Out of interest, were you recommended the clinic or found it yourself? It seems like such a minefield looking for the appropriate clinic on the internet. I assume you have to spend quite a lot of time flying back when going through the ivf process?
Thank you for your help x
I found the clinic myself after a lot of research.
I was should only have been back and forth twice (initial consultation and transfer) but due to the other procedure I was over 4 times altogether. It was expensive in terms of adding in flights and accommodation on top of the IVF cost but was completely hassle free! The clinic are a fantastic support.
It worked first time for us so worth every penny x
Ok good to know. I’ve heard a lot of good things re clinics abroad. Just need to weigh up the costs and see what the NHS can offer us. I’m not sure I will eligible for IVF if we’ve not been trying for more than 2 years. Unless having a thin lining is considered a pre-existing condition?!
Thanks for this. Yes that’s what I thought too but they said that I may as well try it. It’s frustrating because I know oestrogen is likely the missing part! Did you do the above on the NHS? Do you know if to have this medication, you have to have IVF? We have an NHS appointment next month but working in the NHS myself, I feel it might be a painfully slow process. Good luck with everything yourself- it’s lovely to read some more positive stories. X
No, it was private, but if you are willing to pay for the oestrogen on a private prescription I don't see why you couldn't try it. It is what they prescribe for HRT normally and is pretty inexpensive. It would be worth mentioning to your GP and see what they say about it as I'm not sure when in your cycle you should take it if not having IVF.I really think my thin lining was what stopped us getting pregnant whilst TTC the past 2 years. Our 1st IVF I didn't use oestrogen and my lining didn't quite get to 7mm and was bfn. This time lining was 9.2mm and we got our bfp 2 weeks ago. Still very early days, have a scan next week to access viability, but currently have a lot of morning sickness so hoping that's a good sign!
Good luck with your journey. Hopefully the wait on the NHS won't be too long, think it varies a lot on where you live. We didn't qualify for NHS here as they don't treat people over 35 in our area!x
Interesting and it would be great to try other options pre potentially going down the IVF route. How frustrating for you TTC for 2 years and knowing that the lining was the likely cause.
So glad that you’ve had success. Not sure if your hospital have an early pregnancy unit but where I work as a midwife, they have this available for anyone to drop in for an early scan for reassurance. Good luck and have my fingers crossed for you x
Yes, only once we started having scans for IVF did I suspect that it could have something to do with the lining. Thank you ❤️. We are booked in for next Tues the 26th. They advised me not to come earlier than that to ensure they can hear the heartbeat, I'd only worry if I went too early and they couldn't hear it and had to go back later.All the best for the future x
The best protocol for thicker lining is a mild stimulated FET cycle. You take stims every other day and trigger when you get one lead follicle which is above 18mm. At which point it is common for lining to get to 10mm plus. I have high fsh so I do oestrogen priming beforehand then by the time I do a transfer lining is usually at 12mm or 13mm.
Thank you. Were you offered this over a fresh transfer?
No for frozen transfer. It’s called superovulated stim cycle but it’s just mild stims. I also took hrt to lower fsh to make sure follicles grew evenly but as you have pcos your fsh must be good. At 38, my fsh was excellent. It changed when I was 41.
was this on the nhs or privately? It’s difficult to know what they will offer on nhs and wait times. Leaning more towards private.
private. I gave up my one cycle if nhs IVF at 38. Best decision I ever made.
can you recommend clinic if it was in London?
Success stories with thin lining
Thin Lining 
Thin Lining, Asherman’s, Failed FETs
Thin lining - advice please 
