Please help - 6mm lining before norethisterone prescription before FET?

[PT8998]

Ladies,
I’m beyond an acceptable stress level. My clinic have always insisted that to “qualify” for norethisterone, your lining needs to be 6mm. Has anyone else’s clinic or NHS trust said this? I really don’t understand why, I have asked the clinic and I have not yet heard back so I am going to chase.

Background - PCOS, no periods whatsoever unless induced. Recently had IVF (egg collection mid Jan) and had a freeze all. My withdrawal bleed happened 14 days after egg collection and I am now CD19. When I went for my follow up appointment (3 days after egg collection) I was told to not even bother calling until after 6-8 weeks after my withdrawal bleed if I hadn’t started a natural period. At that point, I would then be called in for lining scans to check for the 6mm mark and then I’d be given norethisterone. Once I then have a breakthrough bleed, I can start my FET. From my egg collection date (18th Jan) I would expect a transfer in May/June as that’s how long it’ll take for my first “cycle”. Really? I’m incredibly stressed about this and I’m worried about extra time off for scans for lining checks just to induce a bleed then the FET stuff on top of that. To wait so long and have all of that in between is stressful.

Has anyone else had something similar? From what I understand, lots of people have been able to have the norethisterone to take from the get go and take them say CD35 and just get on with it?

Sorry for the rant. I’ve tried so hard to just go with the flow, but seeing so many people just getting on with their cycles and I’m just left with the unknown at the moment is just heartbreaking and causing me so many stressful moments that I just cannot knock on the head.

Thank you ❤️

Sorry I have no idea but I hope someone can help soon.

I did do a quick google and while I didnt find the information you're looking for, I did find this : www.researchgate.net/publication/6809926_Extended_Estrogen_Administration_for_Women_with_Thin_Endometrium_in_Frozen-Thawed_in-Vitro_Fertilization_Programs

Might be useful if your issue is thin lining.

I'm not sure if it maybe has something to do with the fact that it's for a frozen transfer and that's why they ask for the lining to be a certain size

I'm in middle of my first IVF now and it started with norethisterone which I had to take day 21 of my clocks that month. I had no scan or appointment before taken and just had to take them and then my first scan was about a week and a half after that

Sorry you are having such a hard time with this. Have you asked your clinic why it needs to be that size just now?

@Marty13 @willithappen thank you for replying.

The lining issue has nothing to do with IVF, it’s just something that they do. When I was on letrozole for ovulation induction, even with monitoring to check for ovulation and knowing the lower doses hadn’t worked they still made me wait until my lining was 6mm or above to let me move on to the next dose. The only time they will give it without any questions is if I hit CD90 with no bleed.

I have asked them, but no answer yet. I am going to chase them again though. It seems my clinic is the only place that does this?

Seems really strange! Especially as I believe local GPS can prescribe northeristerone to patients and don't usually do any checks. Lots of people go to get it when they want to delay their periods for holidays/weddings/important events they don't want their period for

@willithappen exactly - I can order some from the Superdrug pharmacy online if I wanted to. I just don’t understand the prolonged wait.

I have been testing OPK’s this cycle - mostly as a time killer - and my LH has hardly gone up and I’m CD20. Today it’s stark white. I just know my body and I’d be very surprised if I do have a period. It’s just frustrating knowing it’s going to happen.