My Reproductive Endocrinologist Has Recommended a Protocol That Uses Birth Control Pills. Why Would Birth Control Pills Be Used In IVF?
Hi !! Jenns Birth control pills or, more correctly, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) can be used as a part of the IVF stimulation protocol in several different settings. First, in patients who are known or suspected to be high responders, OCPs may help mitigate the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS; see Question 63). Second, in patients without predictable regular menstrual cycles, OCPs can be used in combination with Lupron to initiate an IVF cycle. In our practice, we usually start OCPs in such cases after confirming with a blood test that the woman has not recently ovulated. Then, after 1 week on OCPs, we add Lupron. After 1 more week, we stop the OCPs and continue the Lupron and wait for withdrawal bleeding. Once a patient has bled, we begin the gonadotropin stimulation. Some clinics use OCPs as part of the protocol for microdose Lupron (MDL) flare, traditional flare, or GnRH-antagonist (Antagon, Centrotide) cycles in the hope that pretreatment with OCPs will prevent one follicle from growing faster than the other follicles once the stimulation has begun. We have not routinely used OCPs with our MDL flare patients, as we have rarely had problems with the emergence of a single dominant follicle compared with the more common problem of oversuppression and a cancelled cycle. Given that prolonged OCP use can lead to oversuppression in low responders, we use these medications very carefully.
Seriously i don't know why this is important to take pills. OCPs may help you regarding this mitigate risk of ovarian. Some clinic's use OCPs as a part to cure this problem. I think your major concern is the clinic. You have to choose the best clinic, because these process are complex. And need extra care and support. I recently visited a clinic for my surrogacy treatment. I am lucky i didn't face any problem. From the start they took a lot of care for my self. I am pretty much sure, you can find the perfect clinic for your self. This forum is providing many details about infertility issues. Take care of yourself and do consult your doctor regarding this matter.
If your Endocrinologist has recommended you to use the birth control pills. There can be different reasons for taking birth control pills prior to your IVF cycle. First with use of these pills may help the ovaries respond better to the stimulation medication. Plan to be on birth control pills a minimum of 2 weeks. Preparing the Ovaries for Stimulation. Many women start an IVF cycle by taking these pills for a set number of days. Birth control medications decrease the chances of creating cysts that could interfere with the cycle start.These pills also allow controlling the timing of the cycle. My doc also recommends me to take the birth control pills prior to start my IVF cycle. I think you also have to concern with your doctor. They will tell you the reason you why they said to use the birth control pills.As you know every woman has different health and fertility conditions. BCP isn’t suitable for all fertility patients.If you’ve got high blood pressure or migraine issue then BCPs may not agree with you. So don’t think too much because after check all alternative solutions your doc has suggested to take it. Take care of yourself properly. Good Luck with IVF cycle.
Hey there dear... This is a great question you have made. I am doing IVF too... Recently i was given the same therapy for a short while. I was super frustrated at my doctor's.... I thought they were screwing with me. I wanted to freaking take them to cort. Boy was I stupid and ignorant for thinking that. Like why would a doctor screw with their patients. It doesn't make snese... Like what is there to gain from it... Anyway before i get anymore carried away... I askwd my doctor about this... He tried to explain me in subtle details but... Hey I am not very bright! So he just summarized everything with those pills are hormones. We need to control your hormones for this procedure. So I understood it better! Hope this helps you too. God bless you dear!
