QuestionHi,
I have suffered from polycystic ovaries since I was 16. I have a two year old baby which was coceived naturally two months after an unsuccesfull cycle on clomid. I stopped birth control 10 months ago and I've been trying get pregant for the last three months using clomid, gonal-f, ovidrel... On this last attempt (i'm currently on my 23rd day of my cycle), I had follicle arrest; showing a 2.4mm follicle and a 2.9mm follicle 72 hours after administering ovidrel.
1. Is there anyway to "break" that follicle this cycle?
2. Could it be that I always produce "follicle arrest" and so that's why cycles on clomid aren't working?
3. If I end up with a cyst after this cycle, what are the chances of getting pregnant naturally, without taking any pills to "destroy" the cyst?
4. Is there anything else I can do to increase the chances of getting pregnant? Without having invasive treatments?
5. Are there alternatives to regular treatments?
It's been three very frustrating months, and I don't seem to find any alternatives to traditional treatments (Monitoring ovulation, inseminations, in vitro...) to help us get pregnant.
Any help will be appreciated!
Regards,
MLG
AnswerHello Marisabel from Venezuela,
I am afraid that the term "follicle arrest" is usually when the follicle grows to a certainly point before ovulation and does not reach ovulatory size (16 mm or greater).
In your case, seeing the follicles present, and I assume you meant 24 and 29 mms, does not necessarily mean that ovulation did not occur. Follicles will often re-inflate with fluid within 1-2 days after ovulation and becomes a corpus luteum cyst. The diagnosis given you is not correct.
You need to keep in mind that you are undergoing ovulation induction to make you ovulate like a normal woman. Most normal women take 8-12 months to get pregnant. So, if all you are doing to try for pregnancy is getting you to ovulate, it may take several attempts before you are successful. If you want to get pregnant faster, you will have to advance in your treatment method to either IUI (intrauterine insemination) or IVf (In Vitro fertilization).
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on facebook and twitter with me at @montereybayivf
