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What Causes Menstrual Cramps After Embryo Transfer?

Posted on Wed, 4 Mar 2015

Question: I have been doing IVF for 4 years now. We recently bought donor eggs and we just had the last batch (3) put in as the first two attempts with the donors eggs have failed. I have never once gotten pregnant through IVF. I have had intra-lipid therapy, IVIg treatments, gone gluten and dairy free, had surgery for endometriosis, a lot of anti-inflammatory supplements my Dr put me on and a special type of probiotic called VSL#3. I do not think there is anything else we can do. I am now 7 days past a 4 day embryo transfer and feeling the same menstrual cramps I have in the past. I know the deal: my period wants to come on, but can't because I'm on the meds so another definite fail again I know even before my hcg test. I am to the point where I am sad and angry. Maybe I am just one of those people that cannot get pregnant through IVF and it is too late for me because I am 46 now and am out of money for more donor eggs of which I think my new doctor wants me to by eggs from his own egg bank. Do you have any advice?

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:

Hello dear,welcome to healthcare magic.

I understand your concern.

In my opinion IVF can be tried upto 4 to 6 cycles.

Don't consider this as a failure as you haven't got your period.
I need to know:-

1)Do you have any diabetes or hypertension
or any chronic diseases.

2)Have you tried pregnancy in your early reproductive life?If yes how was the result?

3)But for endometriosis do you have any other gynaecological problems?

4)Is everything normal with your uterus?

Kindly provide me the information for further discussion.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Best regards...Dr Srilatha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (1 hour later)

I have been doing IVF for 4 years. I have done probably about 10 cycles with my own eggs. All of which they said were a very good grading. I do not have diabetes, hypertension, or a chrinic disease. I do have acid reflux and am on pantroprazole 40mg daily. I have vagal-vaso synchopy in which I drink plain water with eloctrolytes for. I have no other gynaeological problems. I did get pregnant twice on my own at age 37 (abortion -not the right time) and at 41 (blighted ovum - heartbeat never started). My uterus is normal and they always say the lining looks great. I have not gotten my period because I am still on the fertility meds of estrogen and progesterone.

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
success of IVF varies with age

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,I got your information.I understand your concern.I am sorry for your condition.
Iam happy to know that you dont have any chronic diseases or any gunaecological problems.
In my opinion the age of egg is more important than age of uterus.If a healthy egg is chosen the success rate might be good as it results in good embryo.
Mostly the cause of failure might be a defective embryo than the uterine cause.So preimplantational genetic (PG)diagnosis of embryo might be helpful to pick up the defective embryos and increase the IVF success rate.
My aim is not to make you tense but Iam sorry to say that the success rate of IVF is less after 45 years of age,though the IVF centres have age limit upto 50 years.
So choosing a healthy egg from a young donor and PG might be helpful for the success.
All the best.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to discuss furthur.
Best regards...Dr.srilatha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj