Bcp before ivf due to cyst?

Hey ladies...sorry to crash but I don't know who else to ask. My friend who just began her ivf journey just called me crying hysterically. She went to her RE in Albany (she lives upstate) to discuss the meds she received and how to use the injectables. The doctor told her he has some bad news: she has a cyst on one of her ovaries and instead of starting the meds tomorrow, she will be starting the bcp with the hope it will shrink. She will be returning to his office next month to see if it goes away, if yes, they may be able to start next month. If not, they will discuss other options. Any btdt who can give me any words lf advice to pass on to her? She has so much going on right now and this news just put her over the edge. Thanks for reading.

Re: Bcp before ivf due to cyst?

I am sorry to hear about your friend is having such a dificult time. I do have history with cysts and hopefully can be some help. I have tried taking BCP to have them shrink before moving onto IF treatments, but unfortunately my cysts did not shrink. I had to have them removed through laparascopic surgery. THIS is what I would call a worst case scenario. There have been MANY women who had their cysts respond to BCP and have gone on to IVF and even have healthy babies, so don't let this discourage her. But if she has to have surgery, it sounds worse than it is. The good thing, is with this particullar type of surgery, doctors get a better "view" of what is going on inside, sometimes an ultrasound will not pick up on a lot of things (endometriosis, polyps, etc.)

Good luck and hope this helps.

Re: Bcp before ivf due to cyst?

Re: Bcp before ivf due to cyst?

From my personal experience, my cysts have come back almost immediately. After my first surgery in 08, I only went back a month later for an ultrasound and nothing was found. Because I was with a OBG, and actively trying just yet, I was not monitored to closely. I started seeing an RE almost a year later, and the cyst was there during the US at consultation, so not sure when it actually came back. We decided to remove it and about a month and a half later, durin a routine US, the cyst came back. At this point we decided not to touch it as it did not hurt or impede with anything. My history is a little tricky, and although I have this persistant cyst that keeps developing on my right ovary, we were able to move foward with IVF and a frozen transfer after that, which resulted in a pregnancy. Unforutnately I lost the pregnancy, but it had Nothing to do with the cyst.

Ultimately, some doctors like to take precaution when it comes to cysts, but sometimes you can move foward and go on with treatment. Have your friend take it one day at a time, one appointment at a time, that is what really helped with me. Good luck, and FM anytime with any questions.

Re: Bcp before ivf due to cyst?

Thank you so much for sharing your history! I am calling her back tonight and will tell her.

Re: Bcp before ivf due to cyst?

I have had a few cycles that I had a cyst and was gone by the time my next period started. I didn't take BCPs to make the go away.