low estrogen - updated 4/9/09

Last month I did 600 Follistim with 300 Monopur (day 5 forward). My FSH went up to 16on CD 3 of this cycle (had it down to 9)

I am doing an IUI with injectibles.. Began Follistim 300 on day 3. My numbers are as follows:

CD3 e2 45 FSH16
CD7 e2 39
CD10 e2 35

Why is e2 decreasing? I have added soy last week and DHEA. Last month, my e2 didn't increase with the follistim and they started Menopur early in cycle Day 5. Any input is appreciated

Update - 4-9-09. CD12 E2 39 and my follie shrunk to 10. Dr. and I cancelled this cycle. I will detox my body from meds and wait to see what happens with new RE. I am discouraged. Good luck ladies in you journey.

Message edited 4/9/2009 6:12:17 PM.

Re: low estrogen

Have they done an U/S yet to look for/measure follies?

Re: low estrogen

This a.m. 1 at 12, 4 less than 10.

Last month similar situation had a 12 and a few less than 10. the 12 took off once Menopur was added and so it became a lead follie. of course, my 1 embie didn't take.

Re: low estrogen

So to answer your original question, the E2 might be low still b/c you don't have a real lead follie yet. Maybe once it takes off, the E2 will rise. Remember, the E2 goes up in correlation to the # and size of follies as they get close to maturation.
Have they considered starting you with Menopur instead of adding it? It did a world of good for my lame-o ovaries!! GL!

Re: low estrogen

Funny, I asked RE to begin with Menopur because I felt last month it helped make the difference in the cycle even though I got 1 follie for IVF.

He thought about it, said to wait. At Dr. Braverman consult, he said that it is better to give the Menopur as late as possible in cycle because of the LH in Menopur.

I think this is a bust cycle. I am switching to Braverman end of month. He does estrogen priming which I believe gives estrogen support early in cycle and I feel this is what I need. I am trying this journey at 45 and my hormones are not as stable as they were 10 years ago.

GL in your IVF cycle, Shawna.

Thanks

Ann

Re: low estrogen

Re: low estrogen

I don't know what the cause is, but the same thing happened to me on my two cycles I tried. My estrogen numbers stayed very low and I only had small follies. Both cycles ended up being cancelled because my LH started to rise to high....He even had me on BCP before the cycles in hopes that it would help, but in my case it didn't. Hopefully they will let you keep going in you LH doesn't rise. GL!!

Re: low estrogen

That is why I like IVF better than IUI for us women who are 40+. They can control your cycle in the priming month. With estrogen priming it will bring your FSH way down (I mean like around 2) and pump up your estrogen. I think switching to Dr. B is going to be a really good thing for you. And he likes estrogen shots (I think its an IM shot too). .

Re: low estrogen

I'm going in for a sono tomorrow. We did IUI injectibles hoping they would turn to an IVF. I think I might cancel cycle if there isn't any action tomorrow.

I must say, last month with Menopur I got the 1 follie and really thought it would take.

Sometimes I am just in shock that nothing has worked these last months. Not sure if I could do this for years like some of you have. I don't have the time due to age.

Re: low estrogen

bump

Re: low estrogen - updated 4/9/09

Re: low estrogen - updated 4/9/09

Oh, I'm so sorry!
I was hoping you'd get a chance this month. Hopefully Braverman will have a better plan for you and get you on your way. Keep us posted!!

Re: low estrogen - updated 4/9/09

Re: low estrogen - updated 4/9/09

I'm sorry. Did they mention whether the estrogen patch might help? I had low estrogen at my last blood test and the nurse prescribed the patch for me.

I hope you will have better luck with your next cycle

Message edited 4/10/2009 12:01:24 PM.

Re: low estrogen - updated 4/9/09

Do they not have answers to why this is happening to you? I'm so, so sorry

Re: low estrogen - updated 4/9/09

Thanks ladies. No, they don't know why I responded this way. Had some trouble last month but once Menopur came, I at least had a mature follie. I am 45 so my hormones are unstable I guess Doc said "sometimes there are just bad cycles" I think she thought I was going to bawl my eyes out. Poor thing.

A friend on this board suggested maybe my body doesn't like meds month after month. So I will take some time off and recoup....just have to eat some pizza and ice cream first to drown my sorrows.