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

@Tiz90 that sounds exciting, well done for getting onto a study, I assume that means you get a lot more checks and supervision than the rest of us (letrozole for example generally does not give follicle tracking, only blood tests until you have the right dose)

I'm surprised you mentioned the number of cysts you have, does the number affect anything or make any difference? I was never told how many I had, just that my ovaries had the "pearl string" appearance of all the little bubbles, whoch made them suspect PCO and order the blood test that eventually confirmed it. Or am I getting PCO looking ovaries confused with different cysts?

Hi all,

Sorry if I don't get all the forum etiquette right - I am brand new to forums.

I have just found out that my Progesterone was a 3 on my Day 21 test, which indicates that the Clomid didn't work at 50mg. However, frustratingly, they want me to try this dose again. Has anyone had anything like this before?

I have to wait now to see if I get a "natural" period or if I need to start the whole long cycle of Provera again before even starting the Clomid again.

I am assuming that different regions offer different protocols etc - mine don't offer scans on Clomid and I am wishing that they would. Is this something I can do privately?

Sorry for the rant and self-centred nature of this post but I am heartbroken.

Hello ladies how is everyone doing this cycle?

Had my trigger shot Friday so it will be a long waiting game now. If this cycle fails, the plan is to do a hsg/hycosy either just before Christmas or early in the year.

@ClubSandwich how are you doing? Hope this cycle is going well for you.

@QueenBee22 that's funny, my doctors insisted on a hycosy before starting me on letrozole.

I've done my 5mg of letrozole this cycle, Friday will be my day 21 bloods so if it worked I guess I would have ovulated this weekend. We're still dtd just to be safe though. Been feeling kinda funny since the new cycle, even before it could possibly mean anything (also been reading another pregnancy book, so that might have made me imagine things) and I've been really hopeful on this one. Wether that's a good thing will depend on whether I come crashing down from this high once my blood results come in.

I wish everyone all the best for December, it's a difficult time when everything is about excited kids and harmonious family time.

@Omgdnswv yes most do seem to have it done prior to commencing medication but I am almost finish my third round of clomid now so it's a waiting game.

Hopefully the blood results will confirm ovulation for you.

December can be difficult for sure. Thinking of everyone.

Since I last commented I finished my 5 days of letrozole, went back CD9, CD13 and CD16 each time they kept an eye on my leading follicle, and by the third scan they told me to trigger that evening!

Its 4 days since now and I believe I ovulated Sunday evening so now we just wait!

Have started cyclogest twice a day. They’re… interesting… aren’t they 😅

The pessaries do take a bit of getting used to! Are you using them vaginally?
they gave me quite bad bloating for the first week

Has anyone been on letrezole I’ve taken letrezole for 3 cycles then on 4th cycle I didn’t take anything I’m Still waiting for my periods I’ve got pcos do you think leterezole messes the cycle up?

Hey @QueenBee22 how are you getting on? I’m on my period, no Letrozole now for this cycle. We have a consultation next weds so I’m looking forward to getting more info on next steps.
Hope you’re okay

@Sweet211 if at all, I would assume letrozole would help regulate the cycle, no idea if that would carry over to non-letrozole cycles though.

I got my blood test results and have a progesterone of 80! I'm on day 25 now and still getting negative pregnancy tests so at the moment I'm mostly hoping that this ovulation will make my cycle be a normal length.

@ClubSandwich thanks for checking in. So sorry to hear this cycle didn't work out for you. Will be interested to hear what the next step is for you.

I am due my period Monday so holding off on doing a pregnancy test until this Friday at the earliest but I am not expecting anything.

If I get my period, the clinic said they will try and do the hsg/hycosy either just before Christmas or just after Christmas so I have a plan at least.

@QueenBee22 I will keep my fingers crossed for your test 🤞🏼

@ClubSandwich well I caved this morning and did a test. It's positive. I'm 14 days post trigger and 10DPO. Still apprehensive it could be the tigger shot so haven't told anyone yet including my husband! Don't want to get his hopes up.

I have been positive at this point before and then it faded in the days afterwards. I am quietly hopeful this cycle as the line is quite strong for 10DPO and I imagine the trigger must be gone by now?? Who knows.

Fingers crossed for your consultation next Wednesday. Hope they give you a definite plan of action and outline the next steps for you to take.

Hoping this post is still active as im after some advice....

1st month of chlomid for me. Not very many side effects, but I do already ovulate so was given chlomid to try whilst waiting for IVF.

Around the time of ovulation there was an abundance of EWCM, a lot more than normal.

I'm only about 5dpo, but I have the most tender nipples ever! Even hurts to put clothes on. I also have a weird twinge in my groin, like very light pain that comes and goes. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi @CRJ … Im currently on CD10 on my second cycle of letrozole. So not clomid but assuming we would experience similar things. I had tender nipples! And twinges. But I do not ovulate on my own thought maybe this is how it feels to actually ovulate!! Finally! But I think it’s normal. Just messes with your head as similar to pregnancy symptoms!

@CRJ Unfortunately, I can echo @Hedgehugs and say that I felt these symptoms too but all just part of taking Clomid.

It is so difficult to know what is going on! Absolutely does mess with your head.

@QueenBee22 - just read your last post in December. Any updates? @ClubSandwich - how are you doing?

I'm just about to start letrozole and am feeling a bit nervous.

I'm 33 and have had 4 failed IUI's without it so hoing it will make the difference (donor sperm).

Has anyone been on it who is generally healthy and ovulates regularly?

I think they're just giving me it for a bit of a boost but am worried it will boost me too much (they won't do the procedure if I have 3+ follicles!)

Hi all, hoping I can join to have some support and people to talk to that are in the same situation.

I ovulate on my own naturally and have been ttc number 1 for 14 cycles. I have regular cycles and a 12 day luteal phase. Have had pelvic scan, day 3 bloods, husbands sperm analysis and all have been ok. Once my Letrozole level is correct if it still hasn't resulted in a positive test then i will be put forward for HSG to check my tubes. My fertility consultant has given me Letrozole as a way to boost my ovulation as he wants my progesterone higher.

I had my 1st Letrozole cycle last month on 2.5mg and it has been upped to 5mg this cycle. I am currently 4DPO today. It is unmonitored so have just been using OPK and BBT to confirm ovulation. I have day 21 bloods booked on Friday morning to check my progesterone level.

Hey @OcicatLover, thanks for asking - consultant recommended we move on to IVF instead of trying further medicated cycles. It’s all moving very fast now which is kind of exciting ☺️ all being well, I’ll be having my transfer at the end of March.

How are you getting on?

@ClubSandwich Wow! How exciting! May I ask which hospital you are at? I think I may end up in the same boat as I have 3 more cycles of Clomid then the consultant says IVF may be the best option.

@shaker21 That's great that you have so many good test results so far! But must be frustrating not to know what to do next. Can you push for HSG? It isn't the nicest but it does give peace of mind!

Hi @OcicatLover Yeah I am thinking once I hear from our fertility consultant on what my progesterone level is after this Fridays test then I will mention to him about having the HSG next. I have heard that it can make you more fertile the few months after it so hoping it may help or will be good to know if there are any blockages or reasons it isn't happening yet. Where abouts are you now in your journey and cycle?

@shaker21 I came off the pill Sept 2021 and never got my cycle back. Had tests Summer 2022, including hormone blood test, scans and HSG. They have never "diagnosed" it but have mentioned cysts on my ovaries. Husband had low sperm morphology but has to be retested soon. I have been on Clomid - first month was 2.5mg which did not cause me to ovulate. Last 2 months I was on 5mg, which has made me ovulate. Consultant says if sperm quality is not good enough then I will go straight to IVF. If quality improves then they will do ovarian drilling - sounds painful! - to remove cysts and possible endometriosis. Got appt in May so just carrying on with Clomid in the mean time! On day 4 of my cycle now so am taking the tablets again for the fourth cycle... so boring!

@OcicatLover I’m with CARE Fertility, one of their Yorkshire clinics. Best of luck to you, I really hope Clomid is successful for you 🤞🏼