HELP! Duphaston/Letrozol to bring on period/ovulate | ExpatWoman.com
 

HELP! Duphaston/Letrozol to bring on period/ovulate

14
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 12:29

Hi ladies, I am feeling very lost at the moment. Hubby and I are trying to concieve for first time owever as my periods have always been irregular (more so since going off the pill) I went to see Dr Koster at HealthBay Clinic. As predicted, she diagnosed PCOS and low progesterone levels hence why not ovulating. She did a myriad of tests (coming to an overwhelming 2500 dhs after being advised the consult was only 400dhs) and prescribed Duphaston (2 pills twice daily for 10 days) to bring on my period and then on cycle day 3 start taking letrozole (like clomid) for 5 days to help me ovulate. Then lots of s*x then Duphaston from day 16 of cycle again. The Preg tests.

On day 3 of period cycle I am supposed to go in for some blood tests to check hormone levels etc. I am just a bit confused - the directions seemed simple but I guess my mind is overwhelmed and I am a little freaked out about putting foreign things in my body, especially as I am prone to depression and weight gain, 2 things that these pills can bring on and I have worked so hard to fight these things in my life.

I am probably worried about nothing but I am not an expert on these things like many of the ladies in there on their repeat fertility treatment visits - and despite giving me her mobile number I cannot get a hold of the doctor! I only starting taking the Duphaston yesterday however I have had some light brown spotting/bleeding. I was instructed to make appointment to get blood tests on day 3 of the period cycle however I dont know if this is my period starting or if just spotting due to being on progesterone hormone pill!! I dont want to miss my day 3 tests if this is my period, but I dont want to go early if its not and waste those thousands of dollars spent already!!!!!

I did manage to speak to a nurse and she said wait until later today to see if it got heavier and if it did, call for appointment on Sat or Sun. But I heard also somewhere that generally you take the Duphaston for 10 days and then when finished the period will start within 3-5 days. Can anyone tell me what their experienced have been just so I can have piece of mind until the doctor actually calls me back? Any side effects too? The doctor was good I thought however I would have appreciated more information on the tests and treatments as now I dont feel I have the support I deserve after paying that much for tests.

Appreciate any experiences you ladies TTC have had on these pills. Thank you

1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 16:14
It's not actually the Duphaston that brings on a period, but a sudden drop in progesterone levels. So if you are artificially increasing your overall levels of progesterone, then suddenly decreasing them (ie stopping taking the pills) will bring on a period (unless you're pregnant, in which case other things, namely your placenta have taken over), mimicking what your body already does naturally. The same goes for any form of contraceptive pill - by taking the supplementary hormones, you're essentially over-whelming your own and "forcing" your body into a set pattern. It sounds scary, but it's not really - heck, I've been taking the pill for yonks! This is an interesting article about the role of the different hormones doing their thang... [url=http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/S/SexHormones.html'>link[/url'> <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 31/03/2011</em>
14
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 15:24
BUMP
14
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 14:09
Thank you Hello (again) kitty. I did research on the docs here but then I always have this worried feeling inside, like I dont trust them like the ones in my home country to prescribe the right things for me. Anyways, I am only beginning this journey unlike many others who have been ttc for years. I dont want to go down that road of needles and ivf etc and have that feeling of desperation wondering if it will ever happen. So I am trying to keep a clear head about it and see it as just giving my body the ingredients it needs to do its job to enable me to fall pregnant. If it happens, wonderful, if it doesnt, I will just look into alternatives and cross that bridge only when I need to. In the meantime, does anyone have specific experience on Duphaston and it bringing in your period? i.e. is it generally when you are actually taking it or after you stop taking it after 10 days? thank you :-)
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 31 March 2011 - 13:27
Hi there! I can't help on the TTC side of things, but throughout this whole process, do what you feel comfortable with. If you're not happy with something, get another opinion and take a different route. I'm a bit surprised that your Dr didn't take into account your history of depression. I am the same and 2 out of the 3 times I took progesterone pills (1 as a contraception, once Duphaston and another contraceptive) I had to stop because of the drastic and noticeable plummet in my mood. TTC - pregnancy, childbirth (and motherhood) - is so much to do with your frame of mind. I think sometimes Drs (here especially) forget that and just see the mechanics, rather than the person. Good luck, whatever route you take - but remember, it's your body and your choice. You're always in control and nature has a funny way of working sometimes! I know a good few women who became pregnant against all odds, completely naturally (one who was given a 20-40% chance to conceive naturally due to severe endometriosis and then got pregnant while she was on the pill!)
 
 

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