uterine lining thickness

[Hayo111]

Hi everyone

I’m currently attempting my first FET following an early miscarriage with a fresh transfer earlier in the year.

I’m really struggling with the thickening of my lining. My first attempt was with Estrogen patches but got cancelled because of lining thickness and I’d also ovulated. We started again with the long downregulated protocol (Buserelin and then 4mg oral estrogen plus 80microgram of Vagifem pessaries).

I had my second scan yesterday and my lining is still only 5.2. We basically pleaded with them to give me another week on the meds and we’ve added estrogen patches back in. I’m being rescanned next week.

I’m doing ALL of the things - weekly acupuncture, supplements, healthy diet, castor oil packs. Has anyone else been in this situation and what worked for you?

Feeling totally demoralised and frustrated 😩

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. I was going to mention acupuncture, but you’ve got that sorted, which is good. I woulds’t go too mad with supplements, unless you have been told to take them, give your liver a break. Hope all goes well. Diane

[Endofitall]

I can’t say it worked in terms of successful pregnancy. But in terms of lining thickness, my lining always did terribly with exogenous (tablets, patches etc) oestrogen. Whatever I tried as you say doing everything else too (I hate beetroot but still downed gallons of the stuff!). I had FETs cancelled because of not reaching over 5mm or regressing between scans) and had loads of tests. Then my lining found to be better with a natural cycle or modified natural cycle (low dose of stims to boost oestrogen from own ovaries). Also viagra tablets used vaginally can help. I hope you find what works for you soon

[Hayo111 in reply to Endofitall]

Thank you - this is a really helpful response ❤️

[GH1986 in reply to Endofitall]

I have similar experience here. My lining only really responds to my ‘own’ oestrogen so I’ve needed modified natural protocol with low dose stims. Exogenous oestrogen just doesn’t seem to work and weirdly makes my hair fall out. I’ve added in viagra suppositories and growth hormone too. Not had BFP yet but lining getting into 7-8mm which I’m trying to be hopeful about!

[Mellia in reply to GH1986]

Can you please clarify exactly what was a modified natural with low dose stims? I've done modified natural and fully medicated but also struggled get a good lining.

[GH1986 in reply to Mellia]

Yes it is a protocol similar to egg collection but uses lower dose medication (I used meriofert or Menopur every other day alongside growth hormone +- viagra). This grows a number of follicles to produce your own natural oestrogen and then there is close monitoring for ovulation (+- a HCG trigger if needed). Then they transfer around 5 days after trigger or when you ovulated.

I don’t know why but on several tries my lining just doesn’t respond to oestrogen patches, tablets etc and natural lining in unmedicated cycle also thin. But the above regime it gets to acceptable levels.

[Mellia in reply to GH1986]

Thanks for letting me know. Will have to discuss this with my clinic.

[Mercury363]

Prp treatment worked for me. Not all clinics offer it but might be worth asking? It was the difference between my first and the second transfer and the second was successful. Good luck !

[Hayo111 in reply to Mercury363]

Thank you - will definitely look into this!

[Cinderella5]

I had a nightmare with linings. Down regulation was the absolute worst thing ever for me. I did a mix of patches and estrogen tabs from day 2 of my period which stops ovulation. Alongside that I took raspberry tea tablets and drank raspberry tea in abundance for my final cycle....I swear it helped me. Hugs.xx

[Hayo111 in reply to Cinderella5]

Oh I haven’t heard of that one before - I’ll get some asap!!

[ChrisHor]

I had a similar issue, slow hormones and not thick enough lining... 2x failed IUI. I then did 3 months of Chinese treatments, targeted for these issues ( daily herbal teas, herbal meds and weekly acupuncture). It seems to have improved it all, lining showed up thicker and layered and period extended to 29 from 24 ( which is too short to grow thick linings )

I do believe the treatments helped a lot ! Hope yours will too

[Vacaydreaming]

I had the same issue and found down regulating made things worse for me so didn’t do that on the next cycle.

Vaginal estrogen had the best effect for me and I tried allll the other methods patches, tabs etc.

On the cycle that worked I was on around 6 tabs a day, 2 patches changed every 4th day and I also inserted a tablet vaginally every night oh and I also added in Canisflor probiotic (oral) on the one that worked so that may be worth a try there’s some really good studies on the link between gut health and the womb.

My lining was still never majorly thick like some people’s it was around 7/8 at a push but it worked so you’re not too far off. Best of luck I really feel for you it’s so frustrating but I’m sure you’ll find the protocol that works for you xx

[Hayo111 in reply to Vacaydreaming]

Thank you so much for your reply. This is really helpful xx

[Spicycurry]

You need to do a stimulated frozen transfer with mild stims where you take meriofert every other day and then you are triggered. Then start progesterone after day of confirmed ovulation. Transfer is a week after trigger. It’s a natural modified transfer with stims.

[Deeak]

beetroot and raspberry leaf tea but I wouldn't pressure yourself too much/ force the transfer. If your body isn't ready would you want to risk transfering?

[Mezzie_123]

I went through this last years. I had 5 canceled transfers because my lining would not thicken regardless of protocol. I was mentally, physically, emotionally and financially done since i only had one embryo. I had made the decision to stop trying if this didn't work. I finally told my doctor i don't care what my lining is next cycle, lets transfer. I transferred at 5 point something. And now i have a 6 month old girl. Some when just don't have thick linings.

[Hayo111 in reply to Mezzie_123]

This is an amazing story and congratulations!

[Mezzie_123 in reply to Hayo111]

Don't give up. I had 3 natural miscarriages. IUI didn't work for me (assuming lining issues) . And my estrogen was off the charts for IVF, but my lining never responded to it. I went the frozen transfer method because i wanted to have my embryos tested and only had 1 normal embryo after 3 years of trying. Now i have my miracle baby that i honestly never thought i would have. Oddly enough, my period seems to be improving after having the baby. Not an indication of thin lining, but sometimes short periods can mean thib lining. I used to get periods for like a day only and having my daughter seems to have reset them. I do wonder if i were to try again if I'd have better lining.

[TazG101]

Hi Hayo111

So lovely to read your post as I am in the same boat. I had a failed FET in September on 4x tablets of fematab my lining only got to 6.3. I am not preparing for my 2nd FET and they changed my protocol to patches. I am currently on the max dose on 150mg. I had a scan yesterday and after 2 weeks my lining is still only at 5.5 (however structures looks really good). My lining only got to 6.8 during egg collection and that was with getting OHSS as well. I was told that some women just dont have a thick lining and that no matter how much medication, different protocols you do, that is just not your 'normal'. Your body is your body. I was told that the average shoe size for a woman is 6, but some woman are a 3, and some women are an 8. That made me feel better

Saying that, my clinic are giving me an extra couple of days on the patches with a rescan this Friday to plan for a transfer next week. They are hoping it is above 6mm so a transfer can be scheduled, but they said they have had successful pregnancies on a lining of only 5mm.

I am going to trust my clinic, as I am not an expert so handing it over to the hands of the people with experience!

Please let me know where you are now in your journey xxx