Medicated FETs - down regulate or no?!

[Eggsellenté]

I had a consultation the other day to consider what type of FET I want as my second round of treatment following my first failed fresh transfer.

The doctor said there were 3 types: natural, medication, and meds + injection (to switch off ur ovaries). I must admit I wasn't really ready for my consultation and did not prepare any questions or had the time to research a bit beforehand to know what to ask. Doc said it was up to me which type I wanted. I went for the meds + injection as it sounded like it was more "controlled" and considering that my embryos are stored in Machester and id have to do all the scans etc in london where I live and then travel to manchester for the transfer.

I did more research into this after but none the wiser and tempted to pay for another consultation with the same doc to ask more questions as I am now in dilemma whether my choice was what I really want and thinking a medicated cycle (without injection to switch of ovaries) may be better for me i.e less meds and easier on my body, faster. But not sure whether that can be just as "controlled" and timed correctly for my journey to manchester for transfer.

Can anybody share their medicated FET experiences? Which medicated FET you went for and why you chose it or were recommended it? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Hi OP. Not sure what the difference is between your meds and meds+injection options? The 'injection' could be anything.

I've had 3 medicated FETs. My protocol has been to start daily estradiol tablets day 2/3 of cycle (depends on day of the week / clinic timing) which are taken until OTD/12 weeks if pregnancy occurs, and start a 7 day course of fyremadel (ganirelix) injections (which does help 'quieten' your ovaries and prevent an LH surge). Scan around day 9/10 of meds (depending on day of the week) to check ovaries and lining thickness. Re-scan few days later if required. When lining looks good, start daily progesterone suppositories (which are continued until OTD/12 weeks of pregnancy) and 6 day course of Lubion progesterone injections. 5 day embryo transfers happens on day 6 of progesterone at my clinic.

My clinic offered either medicated or natural. We were advised and went for medicated as my cycle length varies massively. The protocol we have used is just my clinics standard from what I understand.

I've only ever had a BFP from a FET, and all my FETs have ended in BFP - I've had 1 CP, 1 live birth and 34 weeks pregnant now.

Hope this helps and wishing you the best of luck!

Currently having to make the same decision soon so following with interest. Hopefully we have some luck this time round xx

Wow, that is very good results. And congrats on your pregnancy ❤️I havent received my protocol and timeline yet but they have shown me the list of meds I will be taking:

Buserelin (injections)
Utrogestan
Estrodiol

I have gone back to them to ask if I need extra progesterone support for this FET, as my first fresh transfer failed and the doc at that clinic mentioned I may need extra progesterone injections.

It is reassuring to read you have had some success with with all your FETs!

@Eggsellenté Its the one success story of what otherwise has been a rubbish fertility journey! Did 4 rounds of medicated IUI with donor sperm (because on paper I have no fertility issues) all BFN. Then decided to move to IVF. First round we only got 4 eggs, 2 mature. On paper I have a normal AMH for my age at the time (early 30s) so complete disaster of a round. But both eggs fertilised and made it to day 5 - they were my BFN (fresh transfer) and CP (FET). Did a second egg collection round with a totally different protocol, whilst better still only got 6 eggs, all made it to day 5 but only 3 suitable to freeze (we did a freeze-all cycle). My DD and current pregnancy came from the first 2 FETs and we still have 1 frozen embryo. So its very true what they say that it only really takes 1 good round to change everything!

I think Buserelin you start at the end of your previous period? Utrogestan is much nicer to take than cyclogest pessaries in my experience (we used Utrogestan for my DDs round do to a global shortage of cylogest at the time). I had to take it more often (3 times a day rather than 2 times) but it was WAY less messy. In my recollection the utrogestan was also a slightly higher dosage in total because it was 3 x rather than 2 x a day. The Lubion injections are expensive, and also the only injections through this whole process that did cause bruising / swelling around the injection site. But worth it if it works.