The IVF worked – you’re pregnant! So when to stop your meds? First off, don’t stop. Wean. Tapering your IVF drugs, at the right time and in the right way, is critical. Here’s how the weaning process works.
Most IVF patients take progesterone after embryo transfer. If you’ve had donor eggs, donor embryos or an FET, you’ll be taking estrogen as well. Your pregnancy test, two weeks after your transfer, is positive. Keep taking your meds. It’s way too early at that point to start weaning. Some patients sadly make this mistake.
The best time to wean? Eight weeks. No sooner, no later. A few years ago, fertility patients were routinely instructed to start weaning at 11 weeks and stop at 12 weeks. But newer research says earlier is better. Your body is producing sufficient progesterone and estrogen itself by eight weeks, and probably earlier. Weaning from that point is the optimal way to transition from synthetic to natural hormonal support.
When we say eight weeks, we mean eight weeks pregnant. Not week 8, or the eighth week of pregnancy. Those terms are confusing. But the phrase eight weeks pregnant is clearer for IVF patients. Here’s why. If you had a day-five transfer, count back five days. On that day, you’re officially two weeks pregnant. (Yes, before you had your transfer.) A week later, you’re three weeks pregnant. From there, counting to eight weeks pregnant is easy.
Every IVF patient is different. Talk to your fertility clinic about how and when to wean. But weaning from eight weeks pregnant typically means halving your medication from eight weeks and stopping altogether at nine. So if you’re taking 8 mg of estrogen and 800 mg of progesterone daily, you’ll reduce to 4 mg + 400 mg at eight weeks and stop all meds a week later.
The same seven-day weaning timeline applies to extras like Prednisolone and low-dose aspirin. (Some studies, however, say taking baby aspirin for longer may benefit certain patients.) If you’re taking a stronger blood thinner like Clexane, you can stop it at nine weeks without reducing – unless you have a haematological issue that requires you to keep taking it. Ensure, obviously, that you get precise drug weaning advice from your IVF clinic.
It’s easy to worry about weaning yourself off IVF drugs. But the science shows that reducing your medication from eight weeks is safe. Yes, have a progesterone blood test on the same day as your HCG pregnancy test if you wish. And a weekly one after that for peace of mind. But the high-dose progesterone format you’re taking, plus your estrogen intake, will almost certainly be working fine. A safe and stress-free weaning process can begin.
14 Responses
I stopped progynova because the pregnancy test after two weeks of fresh embryo transfer is negative, so I feel since it is negative I should stop taking my medication. But my doctor said I should continue with the medication which I did after three days of not taking the medication please any side effects.
I am 8 weeks pregnant now through a medicated FET, so no corpus luteum. I take estrogen, progesterone and prednisolone. I’m scared to wean off now. Could you please send me the study saying 8 weeks is the best. Thank you very much!!
Are you able to provide any links to the study or studies that support weaning starting earlier?
Hello Emily, did you received any answer to your question? Iam in the same situation. Thank you
The study pls
Thank you
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34561715/ His study says stopping estradiol at 6 weeks reduces miscarriage rates vs 12 weeks BUT it’s a study of 64 patients only, 32 in each test group.
Very educative and well explained
I am nine days after natural cycle frozen embryo transfer. Today i did my bloodwork and the ivf clinic called saying that i am pregnant and i have to stop my progesterone suppository. I am worried and i feel like its too early to stop it. On the phone i felt like my progesterone levels are high she was like you have to stop. Is it too early please help
Hello; my doctor asked me to stop estrogen and progesterone all at once without tapering off. Is is ok? I’m very worried
Dear all,
should the estradiol be stopped at 9 weeks and continue progesterone for 2 more weeks? does estradiol need to be tapered as well instead of suddenly stopping?
thank you.
June
mother of an IVF pregnant lady
My Dr mentioned weaning off during my 11th week visit starting on week 12- then ia the portal she said stop it al together. I’m an FET IVF patient.
Whats the difference of weaning vs stopping and are there any hormone blood panel tests required before weaning/stopping OR what seems to be a healthy ultrasound is good enough of an indicator to wean/ stop the hormones ?
If they see a healthy lining and blood flow to the fetus in a 9 week ultra sound (as they did for me), it means you can wean off as the placenta has taken over.
when is the best time to take a pregnancy test after your day 5 FET ?
My ivf failed and got my period immediately after blood test done ,which came negative. I need to know if I should stop taking progesterone as I am already menstruating