Conception FAQ

What is Down Regulation?

Down Reg for IVF

Down regulation aka 'down regging' 'DR' or 'd/r' or "suppression", a LHRH Analogue drug is started on day 21 (CD21) of the menstrual cycle and continued for anything between 1-8 weeks. Down regulation is often used in conjunction with bcp. The drug is available either in a nasal spray or injection and has to be administered by the patient daily. The nasal spray is taken 3 times a day and the injection once into subcutaneous tissue, for example the upper thigh or tummy.

The drug will shut down the ovaries (although not prevent menstruation) so that no eggs can mature or be released - perfect for the IVF consultant to plan a treatment where eggs are harvested and collected all within a certain time frame.

Menstruation will occur at the usual time (approximately 7-9 days later) and the womb lining will shed. The woman can now start the next stage of IVF which involves stimulating the ovaries to produce numerous follicles and (hopefully) several eggs to be collected.

Where to Start

If you are relatively new to TTC, you may have a lot of questions.  Especially if it seems that the conventional wisdom about getting pregnant (have unprotected sex) isn't working for you yet. Or, if you are over 35 and just starting to try to get pregnant and thinking - hm, maybe I need help.  Or, maybe you are in a "non-traditional" relationship where having sex doesn't involve sperm. 

No matter who you are, there are some basics that you need to know.

One, not everyone ovulates on cycle day 14 and starts their period on cycle day 28.  Online ovulation predictors are not very accurate.  Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are much more helpful and relatively easy to use.

Two, charting is a great way to see what is going on with your body.  You can learn all about it in this book - Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  I can't recommend this book enough if you are starting to TTC.  Actually, I think every girl should get one when she hits "sexually active" status.

You can chart on paper or you can find an online website that offers it - one is www.fertilityfriend.com, or www.ovusoft.com, and www.myfertilitycharts.com, among others.  I have tried several of these - but you really have to try them out for yourself to see which one fits you best.  Some sites charge a fee - but they often offer a free trial period.

You will need a basal body thermometer to chart your temperature.

And last - google is your friend!  I hope to accumulate a lot of information here, but this will never match the vast ocean of information available out there.  You must educate yourself!

Using OPKs and charting are two of the best, easiest, most accurate ways to get started on your way to a baby.  Good luck!

More general info from WebMD.com