Let's just say Letrozole, and I have become besties over the past year. I’ve lost count of how many rounds I have done, but I would say it’s around the 8 mark.
For those who don't know, put simply, Letrozole is an oral fertility medication that induces ovulation by helping an egg develop and release at ovulation. The process also involves being monitored with multiple blood tests and the lovely Wanda (internal scan) throughout your entire cycle. Each round costs about $560 a pop, so it definitely adds up.
For a PCOS and newly diagnosed Endo warrior who is unsure of when she ovulates, it’s been key in my journey.
How it works
You take one tablet from day two of your period to day six. Then over the next two weeks, you go in for blood tests and internal scans as they track your blood, hormones and the growth of your follicles and endometrium lining.
Apart from being invasive, it is pretty fascinating how they monitor every part of the process. You can see your follicles growing when you are on your date with Wanda.
They will continue to monitor your lining, blood, and follicle throughout your cycle. If there is one dominant follicle growing, and they are confident you will ovulate based on your bloods… It’s GO TIME.
You literally have a nurse call who advises you to have unprotected intercourse on three particular days. Sexy right?!
I remember the first time a nurse called me. I was like, "ok, so how many times a day, like two, three?" Her prompt response was, "Oh no dear, just once, don't do that to yourself, love!"
Something my partner and I laugh about to this day.
Clexane injections
Following my laparoscopy, which confirmed my stage 2-3 endo, I did have some success with Letrozole.
Straight after my lap, I had a positive HCG reading. Still, it was very low at only 5, so my specialist was fairly confident this would not progress into anything.
To help with implantation and growth for the next time around, my specialist suggested I do Clexane injections and progesterone pessaries.
Clexane and I are not friends. It is a blood-thinning medication administered by injection through the belly. I’ve been injected over 50 times, and each time is more painful. Progesterone Pessaries are like a bullet you need to insert up your V. Both an unpleasant experience, but you gotta do, what you gotta do.
The following month, we succeeded with my HCG levels being in the 100s and confirmed pregnancy. As I continued to be monitored, they increased significantly into the high 1000s. Everything was doing what it was supposed to at this stage in pregnancy.
So the daily shot of Clexane, administered by my partner (now husband) and the nightly pessaries continued.
We were so excited to finally be pregnant, so the pain was all worth it. Unfortunately, we had a blighted ovum, and I had a D & C, which was far from easy and seamless. I will save that for another post.
What's next?
After finally moving past the complications with my D & C, my specialist also recommends that I try an Intralipid Infusion - a fat emulsion solution that consists of soybean oil, egg yolk, phospholipids and glycerine. Which will hopefully regulate the possible Natural Killer Cells that I have. This process is quite controversial. However, we thought we may as well give everything a go.
So, now that I am finally back on track, we are all steam ahead for our next round of Letrozole. Here’s hoping we have more success and the extra pokes and prods make a difference this time around.
Comments