Hysteroscopy after 1 round of IVF (3 transfers)

[AmyLeanne1987]

Hello everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has had a Hysteroscopy and whether you recommend it? I’ve just had a negative from my 3rd transfer. (1 fresh, 2 frozen) My husband and I produce good quality blastocysts (4BB and above) but they don’t seem to implant. My consultant has recommended we have Hysteroscopy but I’m not convinced. The wait list is over 6 months so will pay to go private

Not sure what to do... thinking of having a second opinion and a consultation else where with my notes.

Thoughts welcome

Amy x

Following with interest - I've had 6 IUI's and 3 Embryo transfers with nary a positive test. I suspect I could have endo and that's why nothing is implanting (painful, clotty periods with bowel and urinary issues plus a strong history of endo in the immediate female family).

But nothing shows on the regular scans and they always tell my lining looks good, so I'm nervous that a hysteroscopy could be a waste of money and especially precious time (as I'm almost 40). I also worry as I've read about potential damage to ovaries trying to excise any endometriosis they find - it's so hard to know what to do, you have my sympathy @AmyLeanne1987 !

I'm following too after 2 failed isci cycles we've had several blasts but most are poor quality our top quality blast didn't take and consultant now wants to investigate me for implantation and egg quality issues including hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. However I've never had any symptoms of endometriosis although I know silent endometriosis exists.
I'm in 2 minds, on the one hand it might be better to find any issues now and deal with them rather than go through another failed cycle as I've really struggled emotionally. But on the other hand same as you it will lead to many months of delay before trying again and imagine going through such an invasive procedure and finding nothing?! The only positive is it might give us some time to continue to improve lifestyle changes to whilst awaiting another cycle.

Hi everyone, came across this thread as I am considering hysteroscopy / lap after failed cycles. I am exactly the same, in two minds about it. I've found the failures really hard and it would be good to have answers but I don't know if it's necessary. Interestingly my doctor is very against it and it's more me who wants to consider further investigations. Do you know why it adds to the timeframe? Waiting lists or because you have to have a long break after them before you start? Sending lots of hope and strength your way x

Hey everyone,
I had one of these in January this year and I'm just about to go through egg collection on my second IVF cycle. I had a hysteroscopy due to reoccurent miscarriage and I've got to say that it was well worth it! They found a uterine septum which was causing my womb to be heart shaped, and the consultant said this almost certainly caused my miscarriages. He also said it would be good for next round of IVF and so I'm crossing my fingers. Xx

I think it’s well worth a go. I know the waiting is horrendous but think of all the other things you do to maximise your chances. I had to be referred for a cervical dilation (issues with very narrow cervix and failure to transfer embryo) and consultant recommended hysteroscopy at same time. The hysteroscopy cane back clear but I definitely can’t rule it out as contributing to my success. Had both procedures together and fet next month, which was successful. Good luck with whatever you decide to do x

That's really interesting to know @Rachae ,it's surprising that your different womb shape/septum didn't show up on all the other pelvic IVF scans isn't it?

And really good to know that you can go through egg collection just a couple of months after the op - for some reason I'd got it into my head that you were supposed to have at least 6 months recovery after a hysteroscopy before you could do it, so I was worried about timescales at my age (I got it confused with a laparoscopy, which I think may be better for diagnosing potential endo, I'm not sure). Good luck with your next round!

Have you looked at reproductive immunology? I've just been to see dr Shehata at CRP clinic to have a series of bloods related to immunology, natural killer cells etc. Waiting on results, but he's the leading dr in the country on this. Might be worth a look? There's also a book by Alan beer which might help 'is your body baby friendly' x

Thanks @IamnotwhouthinkIam, yes definitely. It was down in London at St Mary's hospital.. Unfortunately the regular NHS scans don't go deep enough and you can only see a septum via a hysteroscopy. It's very worrying how many women are being investigated and told there's nothing wrong (like me) and go onto miscarry so many times.. When there could be an underlying cause.
I was fortunate enough to get this on the NHS via Tommy's organisation. It pains me to think of all the women who haven't pushed to go further and might accept everything is OK when it isn't. Xx

Thank you @Rachae and good luck with your cycle!xx

And congrats @windy2909 xx

Hey @AmyLeanne1987, just wondering if you went ahead with the hysteroscopy and, if so, how it went for you. I'm currently in the same position - have been recommended one to deal with (they think) one or more polyps but not 100% sure whether it's worth it or not. Hope things panned out well for you, whatever you decided x

Hi @raxel

No I didn’t. I actually got a second opinion from another clinic in the end and they said it wasn’t required. This clinic I am now at has the best success rates in London and the South Coast so more than happy with their advice!

I had egg collection on Friday with them. The experience has been so much different from changing clinics and I have a lot more support and care. I have also had a lot more tests and tweaks along the way too.

I think, however, with Polyps you may need to have a Hysteroscopy to remove them don’t you? I don’t know enough about it though. Definitely ask for a second opinion though.

@AmyLeanne1987 So glad you're having a better experience with your new clinic and congrats on your egg collection, hope you're feeling OK after all that.

I had an Aquascan (where they pump saline solution into the uterus to better visualise the walls) which showed what they think are 3 polyps, so the hysterscopy is specifically to a) check that that's what they are and b) remove them if so. So I think a clearer rationale for doing it than if they didn't suspect the polyps were there. I think I probably will do it before progressing to the next round of IVF -anything to reduce the chance of more failed transfers.

@raxel I agree I think you are best to do everything possible to reduce the chance of a failed transfer.

Good luck 🤞🏼 hope you get your precious baby soon x

Thought I would update this thread for people reading.

After 3 years of TTC 1 failed fresh and 2 failed frozen (1 being a chemical pregnancy) We have finally got our BFP. Very early days and we know anything can happen, but this is as far as we have ever got within the journey and it feels amazing. We luckily have 8 very good grade frosties ready if needed.

This is our story and would recommend that anyone reading this gets a second opinion if you have any doubts, you know your own body! I did and my new clinic listened and it’s worked. 🙌🏼

@AmyLeanne1987 CONGRATULATIONS!! What an amazing new chapter in your journey. Keeping everything crossed for a healthy and happy pregnancy xx

@Amyleanne1987 congratulations! Can I ask if you did anything differently the last cycle? And why they said it wasn't needed?xx

@raxel thank you so much 🙏🏼

@Roo45 I did. I always thought my hormones weren’t right and that I needed more progesterone so my new clinic doubled my dose (something my old clinic wouldn’t do) I had a blood test at every tracking scan with meds changed if needed. After my collection my estrogen was sky high so they put me on an IV (can’t remember the name of the drug) to bring it down.

I also had reflexology which I couldn’t have before because of lockdowns. I had acupuncture as well (but had that on my 3rd round too) oh and I had embryo glue too.

The reason for them saying I didn’t need a Hysteroscopy was due to the fact I had never had pelvic inflammation and I had previously had a biopsy which was clear. My consultant believed the reason for my previous failed cycles was infact due to the drug I had for my estrogen which had irritated my lining. Meaning it was not a good environment for the embryo to stick.

Congrats @AmyLeanne1987 ! I wonder how they found out that your lining was irritated due to a drug, I've never heard of that before. Was it standard estradiol tablets that caused it? Still it's brilliant that they solved it for you!

@IamnotwhouthinkIam I can’t remember the conversation fully but it was the estrogen tablets (Progynova) taken on my frozen rounds that she believed could have caused the irritation. It wasn’t a definite (that would have needed further investigation) but she was quite confident in what she was saying. It just wasn’t right for me, it works for many many women!

@AmyLeanne1987 Thanks for the info - Progynova is what I'm given for my FET's, so that's really interesting to know.

@AmyLeanne1987
Congratulations!
Out of interest what did they put you in instead of Progynova? And what clinic are you at now?
I’m having issues getting my lining thicker and my Dr is recommending I have a hysteroscopy.