Question re: Natural Cycles Post Meds (**All Welcome**)

[daisy818]

The board is kind of slow so I'm just PWing and making my own thread here. Perhaps a supernoob question, but I'm trying to figure out whether this is normal or if I should call the RE. I have done many medicated TI cycles in the last year (2 Clomid, 8 Femara) and this is my second natural cycle post-meds. I wasn't temping last month but I had a normal length (28 day) cycle, but this month appears anovulatory so far and I'm having breakthrough bleeding today (CD25). Have people found that they had wonky natural cycles after being on meds? I figure that after pregnancy and BCP people can have irregular cycles, so Clomid/Femara probably can do that too, but I thought I'd see if anyone else had encountered a major change in their cycle after meds. Or maybe it's just the whole regular-till-you're-not thing and I'm overthinking.

TIA!

[bonzo]

I'm not an expert, but I wouldn't be surprised if the meds have messed with your natural cycle a bit. Just yesterday, I had what was probably ovulation pain for the first time ever. When I called the nurse line about it (since I didn't know what it was at first, all I knew was that I was on a ladder and suddenly a light cramp turned to sharp pain in my left ovary, and I got light-headed until I climbed down) she did say it's fairly normal that your first cycle after IVF can be a little different from before. I'd guess that the same could go for Clomid/Femara.

[amberr]

After 3 medicated IUI in a row, my cycle did not change. My LP was shorten due to no progesterone supplement but my O date was right for back at unmedicated CD.

[ceejay]

I did 3 IUI cycles with Clomid and an hCg trigger last year - not consecutive months, I always had a month or two off in between (due to travel, life circumstances, etc.). I had a relatively short LP for all 3 of my medicated cycles (11-12 days instead of my average 13). For all of my natural cycles immediately following the medicated cycles, I had a relatively long LP (14-15 days). It wasn't a huge change, but I did notice the difference when I was charting regularly and tracking my cycles so carefully.

Just an anecdote of course, but I think it does make sense for your body to need a cycle or two to get back to "normal" after taking any meds that affect hormone levels and cycle lengths. 

[lemonliz]

There were a couple of post-medicated cycles that were completely wonky. But then everything returned to normal right after that. That said, mine haven't been with clomid or Femara usually and those can mess with your pituitary (I mean, that's what they're doing and how they work).