Flare cycle without pill?

Hi,

My IVF cycle was cancelled because of too low E2 levels and only two follicles.

Was wondering is anyone who has doen a flare/anatgonist cycle can help me understand the email from my doctor about my options - is there any issue with implantation (because of progesterone levels) if you don't go on the pill before an antagonist cylcle?

I'd like to go with my doctors recommendation to wait for my next period but don't want to go on the pill after that.

This is her letter:
To get started on another cycle we have 2 options. Ideally a flare cycle coming off the oral contraceptive pill is the preferred option, as a flare cycle run off a natural cycle runs the risk of having as progesterone rise, during the cycle. This ultimately may affect implantation. In your situation now, we could commence the pill now for 3 weeks and than cease it to get a cycle start. It may be better though to wait to get some of your own pituitary and follicular activity back. This would mean waiting until you get another period, which could be 4-6 weeks and then starting the pill for 3 weeks.

The other cycle option, is an antagonist cycle. In this cycle we would wait until you get you period, and then start the FSH on day one. Instead of Lucrin, and antagonist called orgalutran is started on day 5. This cycle allows less suppression of the pituitary and would get us stared sooner. Looking at both options, I think at this stage the second option is probably preferable.

Sara

i had the same problem as you for all of my cycles where they attempted to use a suppressant (synarel instead of lucrin) so after two cancellations, we went with an antagonist regime. it worked for me - always had the desired response, have had positives on four occassions (unfortunately due to pcos hormone issues we lost three). have to say, it's worked for us - and is so much shorter and seems to work for quite a numebr of us!

good luck

BG

Thank you BG - just wondering did you go on the pill or any other medication before starting the antagonist cycle?

Sara

i went on the pill once - had such horrific side effects from it i refused to go on it again

i always had a BT before i started a cycle so that they could confirm my hormone levels were "flat lined" as they should be on day one of a cycle anyway...

Brilliant, thank you, that's really good to hear.

Sara

no probs - it's a scary world when your FS floats an idea that you've never heard of before and expects you to jump at it

when i had first antagonist cycle, i couldn't find anyone that had done one, so was scared out of my brain!