Periods always before test day ( even with HCG shot and progesterone)

[Et88]

hi Lovelies,

Although the recent FET was natural and it failed, with spotting starting from 7dp5dt and heavy flow at 8dp5dt, in the past cycles I have always had my periods before the test day even while given HCG shot after transfer and taking daily progesterone

I wanted some advice from you all if this is normal or there is something to be checked?

I have regular 30 day cycle with ovulation on day 16 or 17.

This time Ovulation was on day 18, still the period started on day 30 🥺

Sorry if the question or observation is silly but just wanted if you can help me with some experience, guidance!

Ps I told this to my clinic doctor but she responded- there is not explanation as my cycle is regular and hormones levels are all as it should be. Endometrium was at 12. something before transfer 🥺

[Backagain987]

This always happened to me too. I asked my consultant if it meant my progesterone wasn't high enough but he said no, he said basically my body knew I wasn't pregnant so all hormone levels dropped and the drugs weren't enough to prevent the bleed. He said if I was pregnant (obviously) the levels wouldn't drop. I did have a baby eventually so it can be done! Good luck!

[Et88 in reply to Backagain987]

Thank you so much for your reply! Congratulations on your dream coming true. May I ask if there was any change in the treatment that lead you to success or just the try again you luck theory worked 😊?

[Et88 in reply to Backagain987]

Indeed another failed cycle even with progesterone support so feels like yes, my body really knows I am not pregnant and give me signs of blood even when in high doses of progesterone.. hopefully eventually I will also get to meet my baby

[Fruitandflowers]

Do you get spotting before your proper period/flow on your natural periods? I always did and it can be from the drop in progesterone but it's possibly still an issue as it means the lining can start to shed before implantation is established. This is even if the hormone levels themselves are ok. I also got spotting before OTD when on cyclogest and my consultant said that shouldn't happen if the progesterone is working as it should. He changed me to utrogestan vaginally (as there's some evidence it can be better absorbed) and also lubion injections. My next transfer on that combination worked and I didn't get spotting on any transfers on that since. May have been chance but sometimes progesterone isn't taken as seriously as it should and it's something than may be possible to fix with trying different forms.

[Et88 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Hi dear, Thank you for your explanation.

No actually I almost never spot . The occasional spotting only happens with embryo transfers ( all 3 of them I spotted for a day or 2 before the period started) and very few times with cycles when we tried naturally.

[Fruitandflowers in reply to Et88]

That's a good sign it doesn't happen naturally. It may still be worth asking about extra progesterone or trying different sorts on your transfers as I was told it can't do any harm and it seemed to make a difference for my successful transfer.

[Et88 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

On my consultation, my doctors said she believes too much progesterone makes an unhealthy environment for the embryo so she did not give me any injections.

I got 8% progesterone gels from abroad and planning to combine with duphaston oral progesterone.

They agreed to check my progesterone level 24 hours before transfer.

And I am on medicated FET this cycle..

Let’s hope this change works else will go back to natural 🥺

[Kiara89]

I had problems with oestrogen, kept having spotting and never got a good endometrial line, I even had some bleeding in my endometrial line on my scans before I started bleeding, it all happened with progynova.So they changed to evopad patches.

Of course the main thing is progesterone. But as you see my problems spotting were mainly cuz of oestrogen.

[Et88 in reply to Kiara89]

Thank you so much for the response. My clinic never checks any hormonal level during FET and if you know the Dutch health care, it is JUST following the protocol and no personalization what so ever..

However this time I am gonna be really difficult with them and will not agree for one more transfer with same protocol. let’s see what happens!

[Doodlebug23]

For me, my first 2 transfers I bled before OTD. 1 fresh medicated and 1 natural FET. Followed by 1 fresh medicated, 3 medicated 1 natural FET (I’m 8dp5dt) and I haven’t bled till I stopped all meds. I’ve always been in 2 cyclogest per day and progesterone “optimal” at transfer. My clinic have never suggested changing or adding anything. In my natural periods, both before and during IVF I spot for a couple of days before full flow.

Not sure if any of that is helpful at all 🙈 But as a comparison that’s my experience. X

[Et88 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thank you and very very good luck to you!!!! I am praying for your success ❣️

I remember we had the transfer on the same day 😊

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Et88]

Oh did we! Sorry I’m losing the plot at the moment! So sorry it didn’t work for you. I’m expecting the same as I feel very “periody” 😔

[Prettypenny1]

Hey, my first fresh transfer I was on 2 x cyclogest and got my period day before OTD. On my next FET, they wanted to proceed with the same cyclogest but I practically begged to add lubion which we did do, I didn't get my period this time but unfortunately it still didn't work. xx

[Et88 in reply to Prettypenny1]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and I am sorry it did not work this time 🥺

Although The result is same atlest we can try to change the protocol and see if it works right!

[ecoexplorer]

I haven't done a natural FET yet but thinking about it because all others, fresh and medicated fet, have failed. I too have the spotting/light days before period properly starts, frustratingly it goes away for a day before the full flow comes in. They said it won't make a difference to the start of the natural FET cycle but we'll see. I want them to check my progesterone again on a normal cycle but they say the original day 21 tested levels 2 years ago won't have changed that much. Sorry I can't be more help, just wanted to add my observations and experiences.

[Et88 in reply to ecoexplorer]

I am trying a progesterone test 24hr before transfer this time.. followed by oral and vaginal get progesterone.. hoping really badly that this would work for me this time ❣️

Had a hysteroscopy and laparoscopy done where nothing was found.on the good side, doctor abroad said if nothing, it increases the chance of implantation.. so keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 and hoping for the best

[Batsford]

Hi Et88, I had bleeding before the testing date in my first two transfers, despite taking cyclogest pessaries. This stopped when they added in 1 Lubion injection per day on top of the cyclogest. I think in my case, my progesterone levels weren’t high enough before. Best of luck.

[Et88 in reply to Batsford]

Thank you for the response, for sure I will check with my clinic for the progesterone injection for the next cycle.

[Purple011]

Hi. This happened to me on my first unsuccessful attempt. I mentioned it to my consultant at my follow up appointment - how my period started full flow day 8. She kindly prescribed me with progesterone injections - lubion. One a day and pessaries twice a day which I felt really made a difference on my successful round.

[Et88 in reply to Purple011]

Congratulations on your successful round! It does not harm to try the injectable progesterone right! I will check this with my clinic for sure.

[Et88]

so update from my clinic after showing a lot of frustration…

They agreed to give me HCG support, which was explained to me will help progesterone production.

So Ovitrial injection injecting partially every 3-4 days post ovulation

Looks like that is the best they could do.

All my complaints about heavy cramp and pain during sex and ovulation were discarded as everything looks textbook perfect in scan 🥺

I am going to get some tests done anyway in abroad.

Any suggestions on tests are will be hugely appreciated.

I have hysteroscopy in mind