RH, it's one of the greatest ironies that the first thing most FSs do in order to start an IVF cycle is put you on the pill.

Yep, it does prevent conception, but we're past the point here where natural conception is seriously considered to be a viable option. It's about having hormones under control and being able to demand AF appear when needed. It's a very normal part of IVF treatment - particularly if you undergo a down regulated long cycle. I need to use drugs to force my body to ovulate for frozen embryo transfers - if our expected ovulation and transfer falls at an inconvenient time, I simply go on the pill for however long is necessary, and then I can time things more conveniently. Not something I'd recommend for people doing truly natural FET cycles, but my issues and medications make it possible for me and the FS to manipulate things in such a way.

BW