Kuwaiti Woman Asks: How To Thicken My Endometrium Lining?

Question:

Hi Dr. Ramirez,

I feel am really blessed to find someone very expert and caring like you :)

This is N. from Kuwait, I am very concerned about my endo thickness (was between 6.5 to 7.9 on CD14). On the other hand, I don’t want to take medicine that may harm me. The dr. is giving me Duphaston and Progyluton. The Norgestrel is combined with Estradiol valerate in one pill that comes in medicine call Progyluton (I don’t know if you know it). 11 white tablets each containing Estradiol valerate and 10 light brown tablets to be taken from CD16, each containing Estradiol valerate and Norgestrel). You have said previously that the Norgestrel is not used in the USA to treat endos.

What about the Duphaston which is Dydrogesterone 10 mg- Orally – 2 times a day from CD14? Should I take it Vaginally? Does it hurt? What do you suggest? Should I take natural Progesterone instead of the Duphaston? If yes, would you please give me name of the medicine?

Unfortunately it seems there are not that good doctors over here, they are RE and Gyno. This is the 3rd doc. The 2nd doc believes that clomid will increase the endo because it produces eggs; and she sees endo thickness 7 or 8 mm is not bad!!! Dr. Ramirez, If you don’t mind to give me Online Consultancy and I will PAY for it (I can call). Write me a prescription with what should I take and when and how? For example estrace from CDx to CDx, and then XXX medicine from CDxx. (I can order them online)

I know that it sounds weird, but with the globalization and the existence of internet the behaviors and habits are changing. I will go to the doctor on CD14 (or whenever you think is the best) to do the ultrasound and then will let you know about the size of eggs, endo and so on :)

Thank you!

Answer:

Hello N. from Kuwait,

The Duphaston can be used vaginally. Progesterone is important to help with implantation. I would NOT recommend the Progyluton. It is used from hormone replacement therapy and cycle control. It is not used in infertility because of the Norgestrel. Although the Estradiol component is okay, and necessary to increase the uterine lining, the Norgestrel (progesterone) will compete with the estrogen and keep the lining thin. With this combination women don't usually have periods, which is the reason why it is used for menopausal hormone replacement therapy. In fertility cycles, the first half of the cycle needs to have unopposed estrogen stimulation so that the lining will grow. Then once ovulation occurs, the progesterone is introduced to help the lining convert to a luteal phase lining so that implantation can occur.

Your proposal for an internet consultancy is interesting, I will send you an email. I'll have to think about that one. In terms of your supplementation, I use the following protocol:

1. I use the estrogen patch for estrogen supplementation such as the Climara patch. I use two 0.1 mg Climara patches beginning at the start of the cycle and continuing until the pregnancy test. If it is positive, then I continue it until you are 10 weeks pregnant.

2. For progesterone, I use a product called Endometrin 100 mg vaginal tablets. You place 1 vaginally twice per day beginning on cycle day # 16, or beginning with the HCG injection if you use an HCG trigger for ovulation. You would then continue this until the pregnancy test or 10 weeks gestational age if you get pregnant. Other forms of progesterone that you can use in the same way are Prometrium 100 mg or Crinone/Procheive 8% cream.

If you look up my blog regarding how I do Clomid ovulation inductions, it will give you directions on how I recommend doing Clomid cycles. Normally, as the follicles are stimulated and grow, they produce increasing amounts of estrogen. This then goes to the uterine lining and increases it. The problem with Clomid, however, is the way it works. It blocks estrogen receptors in the reproductive system and tricks the brain into thinking that it is not producing enough estrogen. So the brain responds by increasing the amount of stimulation of the ovary, hence ovulation is stimulated or multiple eggs are stimulated. By blocking the receptors, however, it can cause the uterine lining (endometrium) to no grow sufficiently.

Don't stress too much over all this, please take your time and copy these instructions. Take the time to discuss this thoroughly with your physician and good luck!

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG

Executive Medical Director

The Fertility and Gynecology Center

Monterey Bay IVF Program

http://www.montereybayivf.com/

Monterey, California, U.S.A.