When I first started infertility treatments, I figured that since I was healthy I would have no problem getting pregnant after a round or two of medicated (Clomid/Femara) rounds of intercourse while tracking my ovulation. Boy was I wrong....When I went to Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) number 2, the doctor determined that I had a fibroid in my uterine lining that was a concern for fertility. I elected to have a myomectomy and hysteroscopy to remove the fibroid in the lining and in my uterine cavity in order to assist with our #infertility journey to have a family. See my link about Fibroid surgery for more details on this.
To date, I've had 1 IVF retrieval, 1 cancelled IVF retrieval, 2 cancelled Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET), a myomectomy for uterine fibroids, a hysteroscopy to remove a fibroid in my lining, and 2 hysteroscopy surgeries for uterine lining scar tissue, and one failed Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). My doctor finally admitted after the failed FET that he thinks my issue stems from the uterine lining being too thin. I am convinced this was from doing surgery, but who really knows at the end of the day. I have always wondered why my periods after stopping birth control were only 2-3 days max. Now I realize that is a symptom of having a thin lining to shed during mensus.
Here are some of the things that I've found by chance and by researching that have helped me to at least get a slightly better lining thickness although my IVF doctor will not recommend or suggest any of it.
1. Acupuncture and cupping
This technique is backed by the Chinese medical industry, and for my particular case I've been going once a week and getting treatment starting with cupping first. My therapist massages my lower back where the ovaries are with the cups/suctioning to help stimulate the area for blood flow to the ovaries and uterus. After this, I also get needles on the back side of my ovaries as well as the front on my lower tummy. It is important to find an acupuncturist that deals with infertility specifically, which I was fortunate to have found.
2. Organic and grass fed whole food choices
Its amazing how much chemicals and pesticides are allowed to legally be put into the food we eat every day. I have been eating organic food, especially the "dirty dozen" of fruits and vegetables (according to EWG.org) as well as watching for antibiotics and hormones in the meats I eat.
3. Get rid of plastic and coated pans/pots/kitchenware
This is a more recent thing I've started to do thanks to a good friend recommending I read the book "It starts with the egg." That book provides a lot of the data, but the basic idea is that plastic is bad for you, and it is a chemical that causes hormone disruption. Same goes for "nonstick" anything. Just get rid of it all, its worth your health and well being, fertility issues or not.
4. Supplements
I have been taking supplements after reading the book I mentioned above, including CoQ10 (must have Ubiquol), Vitamin E, and Folate (not Folic Acid) in addition to my Prenatal vitamins. You should also ensure your prenatals do not contain sugars, artificial coloring, or fillers. I am also recently trying chewable baby aspirin as an additional thing on IVF # 3 to help thicken the lining. Other ladies have told me that their doctor suggested it so I figured it couldn't hurt. I should also mention I am continuing all of these through my medicated protocol up till retrieval, after clearing it with my doctor (you should always do this).
5. Beauty products
This was another area I was shocked by. A friend of mine recommended the "Think Dirty" app which you can use to scan products and see a scale that tells you if there are any bad chemicals in your everyday body products such as hand lotion, shampoo, face cream, makeup, etc. I was shocked by how much of my products contained "Hormone disruptors" in them! I did a bit of spring cleaning upon scanning all of the products I had in my bathroom...
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