IVF and Birth Control

I wanted to find out if somebody has the experience, why would my doctor put me on 2 weeks birth control pills prior to IVF, we're both 34 with no problem, they said we have unexplained infertility. I have never been on BCP and I have my cycle every 28 days, I tried BCP about 17 years ago for about two months but I hated it and never tried again, now I'm worried it'll actually mess up my cycle and cause more troubles then good. I've read that they usually do it to regulate your cycle, but mine is the same all the time. Also our fertility doctor wants to use ICSI but husband has no sperm count problem. It seems that the clinic wants to do whatever is convenient to them, so I'm wandering if anybody else has the same experience. Can you get some side effect in such short time on the pill?

[ashleynl]

To my knowledge it is standard procedure for a IVF cycle.  I was on it for mine and had never been on it before and am only 28 years old.  I had no side effects, it's all the other meds you have to take that have the side effects.  Hope this helps.  Good luck

[kraskacz]

Thank you Ashley ;) I hope it won't mess up my cycle. I did do one medicated IUI, so I know about the hormones, it took forever to clean out of me and I gained 20lbs. from it :(

[AnnieBrooke]

For one thing, they don't want you to ovulate naturally in the middle of IVF.  For another, they want to be able to reliably schedule you, so the eggs are drawn at the right moment (if they left it looser, your doctor might not be available the day the eggs were ready, et al).  I wouldn't let it stress you, they sound like they're doing a normal job.  

ps -- ICSI and IVF with swimmers swimming to the eggs get the same kind of results as far as children born without defects, etc.  You could ask if some of the eggs could be allowed IVF and some ICSI, if it troubles you.

[kp192]

I just did birth control pills for 3 weeks prior to starting the stimulation meds for my first ivf.  My dr. said similar things to what the other comments have suggested - it prevents natural ovulation and helps them "take over" your body and hormones so that they can have control over all the timing of meds and retrieval and transfer.  I did have some decreased mood the last 2 weeks on the pill but I have been sensitive to bc pills in the past and I was super nervous about starting ivf and the injections.  Within a week of stopping the bc pills my moods were better.  I'm on day 9 of stim drugs and my moods have been good.  My dr. is planning to use icsi also with us.  Good luck!!!

[kraskacz]

Thanks everybody, I'm hoping that it won't mess up my cycle and I won't have to wait another month.