IVF and CIN3 Lletz

[daisyrosebuttercup]

We've had two cycles of ICSI and was planning a third for July but everything got delayed due to a high risk changes smear followed by a Colposcopy. The nurse could see the high grade changes so did a Lletz at the same time. I've now had the results of the biopsy which said CIN3 changes but the treatment was successful so I now need a test of cure smear in 6 months time. I spoke with the clinic (private) and they said that I would need to wait for the results of the smear test in 6 months time (the Coloposcopist nurse said this was the position of the NHS board too for NHS IVF). After speaking with the consultant the nurse has said that they would be prepared for us to go ahead with the cycle earlier if the colposcopy consultant is willing to write a letter saying that they are happy for us to go into IVF now with the knowledge that if it works I wouldn't be able to have the test of cure smear in the 6 month time frame.

The coloposcopy department is closed now so I'll call in the morning to see what they say. I kind of assumed after they said it had been treated successfully that we'd be able to go straight ahead so was initially really deflated but now I'm wondering whether it is the sensible thing for my health to wait for the results before doing another round just in case. It's made me feel a bit anxious when they (IVF clinic) said it was in my best interests to wait.

I'm also considering whether we go for a freeze all cycle now and could then do transfer after the test of cure results come back (likely to be mid Feb). I'll be 38 next year so I am mindful of my age too.

Any advice?

Hi lovely. I would ask them if you wait the 6 months what the projected drop off in your AMH would be. I was told I needed to wait for results of recurrent miscarriage before doing another cycle which took more than 6 months and it is such precious time you feel so frustrated but of you do wait...use that time to focus on lots of positive stuff aside the IVF. Your body really needs time to prepare for the cycle so if you have had any nasty chemicals maybe you do 3 months of perfect diet to prepare for a cycle and you have better odds? Whatever you choose I wish you so much luck in this. Sending hugs x

Hi @daisyrosebuttercup I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Our first IVF cycle was delayed when my smear test showed CIN 2 which was treated with LLETZ. Our IVF clinic also said they would go ahead if colposcopy clinic wrote a letter, which they did - and our cycle resulted in our little girl so we were incredibly lucky. It’s obviously a very personal decision but I’m glad we went ahead. I had debated waiting for the test of cure smear test for peace of mind but am so glad I didn’t - not least because the ‘test of cure’ smear test isn’t that at all. They only check for whether you have active HPV (I didn’t) and if you don’t then they don’t check for abnormal cells at all. I’m really sorry as I know how horrible it is, and it just feels like one thing after the next - it’s a hard decision to make, but you have to go with what feels right for you x

@daisyrosebuttercup I don't have advice, but just wanted to say, I'm also just reaching top of the list for IVF treatment, am also 37, and have just had my biopsy results with CIN3. Gutted and scared, treatment tomorrow. Scared between a balance of cancer, early miscarriage, and being told we have to wait another 6 months. (I already know I have significantly low AMH for my age which was another devastating reveal). I hope you managed to make a decision you were happy with, and I wish you all the best of luck with your cycle.

Thank you for the replies, sorry I didn't come back earlier.

@Nosejug That's so disappointing to reach the front and to have that news. I know how you feel, it always felt like to me the start line kept moving further ahead. Wishing you the best of luck for your cycle when it arrives.

I decided to wait. Well I didn't have much of a choice as the clinic wouldn't go ahead without a letter and Colposcopy wouldn't write a letter. I considered a freeze all cycle but we didn't have anything to freeze in our two previous rounds so didn't feel like we'd be giving it the best shot doing that. We did ponder for a second going abroad but Colposcopy advised strongly against going ahead and I spoke with an IVF nurse who said if I were her daughter she'd tell me to wait. The clinic also said my AmH was so low it wouldn't really make a difference waiting 6 months..

I think my six month test of cure will be late Jan so by the time I get the results I think I'm looking at mid March ish. It's a bit nuts really as will mean we've had a years gap since our last cycle but it can't be helped and I feel grateful to have had the treatment.

@daisyrosebuttercup had the treatment today and currently convelescing. The dr said he's confident he got it all. He gave me the choice of lletz or the burning thing, but was advising (for my own good, but not for pregnancy stuff) lletz. He said it was about a quarter of my cervix that would be removed! But because he did "two passes" he took healthy tissue as well, so hopefully that means (once they've checked it's all still CIN3 and not cancer) I'll get his approval to go ahead with ivf in December/January. Glad it's over and glad it means I can stop being haunted by thoughts of bad cells. He said a large proportion of treatment also helps clear up the HPV itself, which would be so good.
Sounds like you've made the right decision for yourself, and your ivf is right round the corner All the very best