Letrozole/Clomid Autumn 2022

[IWillBeWaxingAnOwl]

Hello all, hoping to find some buddies on letrozole or clomid.

My history:
33yrs old, TTC #1 for 2.5 years.
Conceived once in Sept 2020 but fetus died at 11 weeks, MMC at 12 week scan and had ERPC surgery. No cause found (all tests apart from genetics done).
Assessments - AMH, bloods, semen analysis, hycosy, scans X3.
Results - v high AMH, not ovulating alone, tubes are clear, not quite enough cysts to get a PCOS diagnosis, DH semen is great.

Journey with letrozole (since Feb 2022):
2.5mg didn't work
5mg worked for a single cycle (ovulated) then didn't work
Now waiting out one natural cycle (CD35 and nothing happening) then will start 7.5mg

Also trying to lose a little weight to support fertility, stay in range for IVF

Hey @QueenBee22 hope you’re okay. I’m also starting my third and final Letrozole cycle, taken my first tablet today. Here’s hoping it’s third time lucky x

No progress here, had my first cycle with letrozole, did my bloodtests, no indication of ovulation whatsoever. The blood tests were done a little late so not quite conclusive, but the fertility nurse seemed to have forgotten about that and authorised taking a higher dose next time, which is good, because the fact that I'm on cycle day 56 now is making it quite obvious that I really didn't ovulate. Didn't get provera to induce a period this time because I was stupid enough to tell her it didn't work, now that I've waited so long I wish I had taken it again in case it might have made a difference.

Mentally and emotionally I'm really down because it means I won't be pregnant by my birthday this year either, I haven't planned anything yet cause I can't decide if its better to hide away from people so they won't ask why I'm so miserable or if I should celebrate with people because it means I have to force myself not to cry as there are people around.

Hi @Omgdnswv don’t lose hope, my progesterone more than doubled when I went from 5mg to 7.5mg. My results were 11 on no medication, 24 on 2.5mg, 31 on 5mg and 73 on 7.5mg. I was shocked it had increased so much. I’m on 12dpo of my first 7.5mg cycle. Since I’ve been tracking my LP has never been longer than 11 days and that was on the 5mg cycle. I did test this morning and it was negative so I’m certain I’m out but I at least feel like there is a chance now and there are some actual positives this cycle.

It’s so hard to trying to remain positive, I totally understand how you are feeling about your birthday.

@Pixiedusted oh wow, your numbers are really good now, you might be getting your BFP within a few cycles.

My progesterone was 1.6 nmol on the 2.5mg cycle, I don't know if it would have been a little bit higher if I had tested at the right time (3 days earlier) but it couldn't have been a big difference.

The big difference between your values and mine made me re-check my results on the online thing to see if there were like different units used to measure things, and I found some old things in summaries and apparently last year early November I had a progesterone value of 41. I don't know if the date on that was the blood test date (as it was just a random blood test, not on a specific day) or the results received date. I checked my sex and period calendar and if it was the test date it would have been on cycle day 61 and I would have had regular intercourse about 2 weeks before it, but if its the results date, then the test would have happened on around cycle day 47 and I had no sex before that for several weeks, because I was using ovulation sticks and I thought I was already way past my fertile window that cycle (back then I didn't know yet that those don't work for PCO).
Either way, neither of those cycle days should be the ones to have high progesterone values, and other than that I'm wondering where my progesterone went?! I had it a year ago, I want it back!

How do you know the length of your puteal phase? Is that based on the blood tests telling you when you ovulate or do you use ovulation tests, because I thought those don't work but I don't know if letrozole might fix that?

@QueenBee22 sorry to hear that. It's so demoralising isn't it. I tend to let myself wollow for a few days then pick myself up again. How are you feeling about it now?

@Omgdnswv sorry. Have you taken norethisterone to bring on a bleed? Just thinking you could perhaps ask for that next time. That's what my ivf clinic use to control when periods will arrive for their scheduling of patients. I know what you mean about the birthday - that always feels like a big deal. What dose and what age are you? I'm 40 so on 75, which seems to work well for me.

@Pixiedusted good luck. Those figures sound good!

My clinic just do a scan then a trigger shot, no blood tests. I've never had ovulation pains until last cycle/my first with a trigger. Perhaps some on here could ask about using a trigger? It's funny how different clinics approach things so differently. When I did clomid/letrazole/tamoxifen rounds years ago somewhere else it was take the tablets and that was it. I like the monitoring.

@seven201 haven't used norethisterone, I'll ask her about it next time. The nurse offered provera, but it didn't seem to do much last time. The other alternative she offered was taking the contraceptive pill for 3 weeks to then have a period but I didn't want to as I was hoping for a reasonably short cycle. I got my period this morning now, so I can finally get going again, this time with a 5mg dose of letrozole.
I'm only 28 (or rather I will be in two weeks) and neither my mum nor my grandma ever had any trouble getting pregnant, so I didn't expect to have any problems at all on my side. It's kind of ironic, because I was worried about whether my partner might have it a bit more difficult because he's quite a bit older and sperm quality does tend to decrease once men hit 40, but his results came back reasonably good and within the parameters of making a pregnancy "likely to happen". Guess that taught me a bit about making assumptions of health based purely on age.

@Omgdnswv that's good your period finally arrived. Nice to get started. My mum had three kids 2 years between each, so I think she had no difficulty getting pregnant. She no longer with us so can't ask unfortunately and all my dad said is that she had a hysterectomy when I was born as she had fibroids. My sister had pcos and needed clomid, my other sister struggled a bit and had a bicornuate uterus (has 2 sections). Incidentally me and my sisters were all c-section babies and all 5 kids me and my sisters have had have been breech. I'm definitely going to educate my dd about fertility as I was just so naïve!

Hi@ClubSandwich I am doing okay. I am more hopeful this cycle than I was for the last have no idea why though. Hope this cycle is third time lucky for you too.

@Pixiedusted those figures sound great. I might ask about trying letrozole rather than clomid next time.

@seven201 I feel okay now thanks ready to give clomid one last go and come up with a new plan then. My clinic is exactly the same. I get a trigger shot, then told do a pregnancy test in 18 days. It sounds better to be monitored at least a blood test to confirm ovulation may help.

Just finished my 5th day of 5mg letrozole. I’m never usually affected by side effects on any medication really but wow I have been hit with letrozole side effects for sure!! Sweats, headaches, and super tired! Falling to sleep v early on the sofa can’t stay awake for long in the evenings!!

I have a question, anyone using cyclogest? I am told to use one in the morning and one in the evening after peak ovulation. How soon after should I be using them?

I have a scan on Saturday to see how I am reacting to the letrozole so maybe I can ask then but just curious to see what others have done?

Hi, I have just had a cycle of Letrozole 5mg hcg trigger and Cyclogest.
my consultant said to take 36hours after trigger shot.
I felt ovulation around 48hrs post trigger so checked my temp the next day and then started the progesterone.
I didn’t want to take too soon.
other people I see are told to take from 2/3dpo.

hope that helps!

Hi. My clinic do a trigger then two days later it's 2 cyclogest before bed and every evening. I think I ovulated on the second day.

Hope everyone is ok. I don't usually suffer with ovulation pain but do with letrazole/trigger and really don't want sex when I'm all achey in the ovaries!

@Jendy87 @seven201 thanks for sharing :) I have also read 3DPO. Going to start ovulation tests tonight and do one every am and pm to track progress… really hoping I ovulate on this dosage, I’ve never ever experienced a positive ovulation test before so fingers are crossed!!

Sorry if all TMI, Im just trying to get my head around… how long it takes for cyclogest to be absorbed vaginally, and all I am thinking is won’t it get in the way of DTD?!

To be honest I am using it rectally.
I was having some spotting and irritation vaginally.
when I did use it there I think the actual progesterone was absorbed within 30mins-1hour.
its just the wax coating that comes back out! A bit messy! 😅😂

@Hedgehugs I do mine rectally too. Too messy and irritated me vaginally. I think it absorbs faster vaginally though. My clinic didn't say I needed to lie down when doing it vaginally, but I think some do suggest that.

Oh, and sometimes I never get a positive ov test despite have ov confirmed in blood tests that same month. So don't be too disheartened if it doesn't go positive, it still might have happened.

My clinic isn't 3 days after ov, it's 2 days after trigger, so for me I think I ovulated in the morning and started progesterone that same evening.

Hi all, hope I can join. Pcos, high bmi and irregular periods. Any advice on using provera before starting my letrzole?

@Pcosttc hi I'm new too and didn't get a response from anyone last week - but I am happy to chat! Its stressful going through it alone and im pulling my hair out.

I dont have any advice on provera I haven't been prescribed that. I'm due to start my first round of letrozole on my next cycle which should be end of the month. I've been given 7.5g for days 3 - 7 to take unmonitored. I also have a high BMI (36ish I'm working on this and dieting/exercising to get this down pre cycle as I was told to get to 35 or below ideally). I'm 32. I have been told I have ovaries that show as polycycstic sometimes but seems I don't have thr syndrome (as it didnt show in my blood) not really sure what that means for me though I haven't really had much support privately or via nhs to give advice and explain anything.

@Journey2022 sounds like a very similar situation to myself. Bmi currently 35 undiagnosed pcos as blood work and tv scan for ovaries all came back normal. However I have all the pcos symptoms hair loss, facial hair, weight gain you name it!

what date are you starting letrozole? Maybe we can be buddies! My only issue is irregular periods so I’m not sure when I will start my period. If my period comes on time then I should be due on 29th November. I have 5mg letrzole day 3-7. How long have you been ttc? I’m on my 19th cycle.

Hi @Pcosttc - I am on my first cycle of medication but TTC since Sept 2021
. I used Provera to induce a period and then clomid once the period came. I took Provera for 10 days then had a period 2/3 days later. I didn't have any notable side effects whilst on Provera apart from slight constipation. I did get a sort of withdrawal headache/PMS before the bleed. I think it is very similar to taking the pill

• have you been on that?

I'm currently on day 23 of my cycle and not sure whether to expect a natural bleed or whether I'll need to take Provera again...
(Oh and@IWillBeWaxingAnOwl please tell me that's a Green Wing reference? Made me smile!)

Yes @OcicatLover 😁 "join me on next week's episode of 'lets make no fucking sense', where I will be waxing an owl"

@OcicatLover thank you for your reply. How many mg of provera were you on? Also did you ovulate this cycle while on clomid?

I hate using anything hormonal so not sure if I should start the provera or not.

😂My favourite show!

Still waiting to hear if I have ovulated or not - had a blood test to confirm on Thursday.
I shall check the dosage. It was just one small tablet? What about you?

@OcicatLover i will be on 10mg for 5 days. On the months I don’t ovulate my periods can be anything up to 50 days so ideally I’ll be starting my prover end of this week.

Did you use opk’s to check ovulation? What strength of letrozole are you on? I will be taking 5mg day 3-7 of my next cycle.