Anticipating periods after failed IVF is more natural. As an IVF specialist, I clearly understand the confusion and frustration my patients go through to find an absent menstrual cycle added to a failed hope of IVF pregnancy.
Remember there are numerous reasons for IVF failure. And that there are very high chances for IVF pregnancy to succeed in the second attempt. So never give up on yourself or your faith in the treatment.
The only thing you should care about after receiving a negative pregnancy result is getting your body back to healthy normalcy. And this includes having your menstrual cycle returned.
If Not Pregnant After IVF When Does Period Start
- Heavy discharge after a failed IVF cycle is common, as it may take time for the menstrual cycle to normalize.
Your period should start around two days after the 14-day waiting period after embryo implantation in case IVF fails. At times it will take over 2 weeks too for your menstruation to begin after the 14-day wait for the pregnancy test.
Also, when your first period after failed IVF cycle returns you may encounter heavy discharge. You do not have to worry about it as it is normal to experience such abnormal discharge in menses after a failed IVF. A few more menstrual cycles would need to pass by for your cycle to become normal.
Do not panic when your periods do not return right after a negative pregnancy result.
Remember you have undergone IVF treatment. The treatment involves shots of hormones that stimulate your ovaries and medications that suppress your natural cycle of menstruation.
So your body will take some time after the end of IVF medications to return to normalcy with natural hormonal balance and cycle of menstruation.
All the Best for your IVF Journey !
No Period After Failed IVF
Until the day of the pregnancy test, you will be prescribed to take medications. These hormone medications will have an impact on your body functions especially concerning reproductive functions.
You get weaned off IVF medications only after the pregnancy test. After that, your body will attempt to fit into normal body function including the reproductive function part. When it happens your menstruation cycle may or may not return immediately.
Had your menstruation cycle been suppressed with supplements your body would have to wait for your regular menstruation day to return.
Reasons for Delayed Periods After Failed IVF:
- Delayed periods after a failed IVF cycle may be caused by hormonal imbalances, stress, or OHSS, possibly needing medical care.
Hormonal imbalances or fluctuations, stress, and OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) are some of the reasons that delay your menses after a failed IVF.
Hormonal imbalances occur due to the IVF hormone injections administered during treatment. History of irregular periods and hormone-related issues also affect the occurrence of periods after failed IVF.
OHSS arises out of over-stimulated ovaries to produce multiple eggs during IVF treatment. This also causes hormonal imbalance alongside fluid accumulation and bloating in the abdominal region. OHSS would require medical intervention if it turns severe.
Stress is another disruptor of hormone balance in the body. Stress can escalate especially with the negative results of the IVF pregnancy test.
These reasons can disrupt your menstrual cycle and delay your menses. Contact your fertility specialist if you encounter any of the following issues:
- Your period has not returned on the forecasted menstruating day of your regular menstrual cycle.
- Swelling or bloating in the abdominal and pelvic region
- Finding difficulty in breathing
- Increase in body temperature
Confirming Pregnancy After Delayed Periods
Delayed periods may raise the suspicion of possible pregnancy. You may wonder why you have no period after IVF but not pregnant.
If your period is delayed even after a negative result of an IVF pregnancy test, wait for some more days and test again.
If the periods still do not return and the test shows a negative result again, it will simply mean that your menses are late and there is no pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider may employ ultrasound techniques and other medically graded pregnancy tests to check for pregnancy. Do not employ medically unrecognized pregnancy tests at home and confuse yourself.
Can I Get Pregnant If My IVF Failed?
Yes, you can get pregnant after failing IVF either naturally or through another IVF cycle.
Failed IVF cycles have a positive side to them. They just increase your chances of conceiving a child.
People opt for IVF because of infertility factors. With IVF treatment many of your fertility issues would have been answered. This will increase your possibility of getting pregnant naturally even if your first IVF cycle fails.
You can also choose a second cycle of IVF if your possibility of conceiving naturally is not higher.
The increase in the success rate of the second cycle of IVF depends upon age, egg and sperm quality, egg quantity, IVF treatment quality, and other factors.
Undergoing the Next IVF Cycle
If you are planning on taking up another cycle of IVF, you can choose to take it up immediately or after some time.
Normally, a menstrual cycle space is suggested between two IVF cycles. It means that you will have to encounter a menstrual cycle after a failed IVF and then go for the next IVF cycle. This means you have to wait for around 4 to 6 weeks to take up the next IVF cycle treatment.
You can also take up the treatment after some time. There is no significant impact on the pregnancy rate because of a delayed undertaking of the IVF treatment.
Conclusion
You will get your periods after failed IVF treatment either immediately after weaning off the IVF medications or a few days later.
Contact your fertility specialist if you find that your period is delayed than its expected day of occurrence.
But it is only wiser and kinder to understand that your body has been thrown off with IVF medications all these days and needs time to return to normalcy and have regular menstruation.
To know more about periods after failed IVF you can contact me @
FAQs
Your periods may be delayed due to hormonal fluctuations resulting from IVF medications. Hormonal imbalance, OHSS, and stress are some other reasons for the delay in menses. If the period has not occurred until the 37th day after the pregnancy test, consult your fertility specialist. You will be prescribed an ultrasound examination to find the reason behind the delayed period.
A negative blood test after IVF indicates that you are not pregnant. However, there is a possibility for false negative results owing to testing early for pregnancy. Pregnancy blood tests depend on hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) hormones to indicate pregnancy. At times it takes some time for hCG hormones to increase in number in the bloodstream after successful embryo implantation. So retake the pregnancy test after some days to get accurate results.
The pregnancy results can display false negative results if taken too early before embryo implantation. Go for another pregnancy test after a few days of the pregnancy test. However, a delayed period after a negative IVF pregnancy does not indicate possible pregnancy because factors such as OHSS, hormonal imbalances, and stress impact the occurrence of menses. You may have your period late after the expected period day.