u/w00kiee

Hi friends!

My July cycle was canceled (by myself) week before retrieval due to a functioning cyst on my RH ovary. That cycle was an attempt at a luteal phase stim start after we triggered my ‘runaway lead’ follicle.

Week before ‘retrieval week’ my cyst ended up at 42mm and I only had 3 visible follicles on my LH ovary (all measuring less than 15). I wanted to do a clean cycle.

I asked for September but they wanted to try and push for August. We did baseline 2.5wks later while taking 4mg estrogen daily and my cyst had decreased to 36mm.

They called me yesterday and are wanting to take Aug-Sept off, no extra meds to try and get it to shrink. Previously during IUI cycles I was on BC and had no cysts.

However. Going to do a baseline in October and see if the cyst is gone. My main concern is it shrinking in time + growing another one. Ive tried looking around in the forums and haven’t seen much - anyone have success stories taking a few cycles off?

I am fine with it but in the back of my mind I hate it because I don’t have all the time in the world with my levels. Thanks!

STATS
Mid 30s | IVF #3 | last AMH I asked was 0.17 / AFC 9-11

IVF Cycles
#1 (January) - 3 retrieved, 1 mature/fertilized, quit developing D5
#2 (April) - 7 retrieved, 3 mature/fertilized, 2 grew to D5/6 blasts and are currently frozen

This cycle we did mid luteal stims. Baseline follicles were 4 on left and 2-3 on right.

I had a primary follicle (right ovary - 14mm) already at baseline so we decided to trigger it away on a Wednesday. Went back in Monday to confirm it was ovulated/gone (it was). However I had a cyst appear after the follicle ovulated on my right ovary.

Went a full week of stims and it continued to grow. This week was supposed to be retrieval week - I had taken leave and everything (I go back to work Sunday).

Between last Friday (7/24) and this Wednesday (7/29) the cyst had doubled in size (40mm measured yesterday and it freakin hurts). No other observed follicles on my right ovary. My left had 1 at 12mm and 1 at 8mm.

My estrogen went from 800 on Monday to over 1400 on Wednesday so clearly it is a functional cyst and taking away from any other follicle growth.

My dr wanted to increase meds (Menopur from 3 vials to 4) and FSH staying at 300 to try for a Monday/tues retrieval for the 1-2 follicles.

I ended up asking to cancel because I didn’t want to use my 3rd package on this cycle because there was no guarantee the follicles there would be good, retrievable or even grow. The cyst had already doubled and I can only imagine what it would be with more Menopur. I halfway wish we had canceled earlier.

However. I’m sad and feel like I made the wrong decision. We’re going to try for a September cycle and they’re going to bring me in and monitor my next unmedicated cycle to see what happens.

I need all the advice. I keep beating myself up that maybe I should’ve went with this cycle, maybe I should’ve tried, what if my next cycle is worse and this was my last ‘best’ one.. yada yada.

Previously my ‘good’ cycles actually started with suppression, this time we did not. I always have a recruited lead follicle though when not suppressed at baseline.

Thanks friends 🖤