Letrozole-cycles not being monitored normal?

[u/BVBWYA]

Just out of curiosity, when you were prescribed Letrozole, were you closely monitored or have timing ultrasounds or anything? I’m on my second cycle and my OB hasn’t said anything about monitoring me at all, even with an increased dosage of 5mg. (IF this cycle doesn’t work she wants to go up to 3 pills so roughly 7.5 mg but also didn’t mention anything else). Should she be monitoring it more closely? I read it was because of the chance of multiples but is that true?

[u/youcango-now]

My letrozole cycles weren’t monitored. We were aware of the multiples risk. My first round of 5mg did yield di/di twins but when we went to try for baby #4, I took 4 cycles for a singleton.

[u/Happy-Grapefruit-41 → u/youcango-now]

Congratulations on your twins and singleton!! I just did my first round of letrozole but not confident it worked since it made my cycle a little earlier so we didn’t try as much as we should have. Do you mind if I ask what dose you used for your singleton? I’m on 2.5 but wondering if I should ask for 5.

[u/youcango-now → u/Happy-Grapefruit-41]

We did 2.5 for the singleton! If we hadn’t been successful that cycle, we would’ve gone up to 5mg! I do ovulate on my own so the letrozole was more to help boost versus fully induce ovulation so I definitely think that was more of why we did conceive twins that first round.

[u/Happy-Grapefruit-41 → u/youcango-now]

Thanks so much! We’re using it as a boost as well since I also ovulate on my own. We haven’t been able to conceive since my MMC and d and c last December so hoping this helps.

[u/youcango-now → u/Happy-Grapefruit-41]

Crossing my fingers for you! 🩷

[u/kd_hirsch]

I wasn’t monitored and we didn’t even discuss monitoring, but i was also on the lowest dose. If you’re worried no harm in asking!

[u/princessnoodles24]

I wasn’t monitored during mine other than a blood test at 7dpo to check the progesterone levels had risen enough to prove it worked. Mine was successful first round he’s nearly 2 now x

[u/Fun_Needleworker6697]

I was never monitored on letrozole until I switched OBGYNs but I also was never worried about it. Clear LH rise, ovulation paid, pdg confirmation at home all were enough for me. I would ask for monitoring at 7.5mg though personally bc I did one round of 7.5 and that’s the only cycle I didn’t ovulate and it was sooooo frustrating not knowing what was going on 🫠

[u/Chaos_in_ur_Calm]

I too was not monitored.

[u/Abject_Performer5426]

I'm currently doing an unmonitored 2.5 cycle with my OB, but if this cycle does not work out I am starting IUI next cycle with my RE. I personally don't feel comfortable with a higher dose without monitoring, but that's just my own personal anxiety lol.

[u/BexclamationPoint]

My OB doesn't prescribe letrozole (or at least, wouldn't for me - could have been related to age, I was 40 at the time - but I think her standard is to refer to a fertility clinic after initial testing) and the clinic I went to doesn't do meds without monitoring. But based on what I've heard from others here and IRL, I think the providers I saw are in the minority there. I totally understand the logic, but also I found monitoring to be a pretty big hassle, so, I also understand why other providers will do at least a few cycles unmonitored!

[u/fredligcyklist]

My OB monitors, but she mentioned that some of her colleagues let their patients experiment with letrozole.

[u/tippytappos]

Just please make sure you take a pregnancy test before starting your next cycle of letrozole. Don’t want to mistake implantation bleeding for period