My period is late after IVF failure. Can this delay be due to hormonal change?

Question

Hello doctor,

I did an IVF treatment just after I turned 41, to preserve my fertility (I am not diagnosed infertile). My first period was on seven days after the retrieval. The IVF failed, so I decided to try on my own with my husband for a couple of months. I did ovulation tracking, last month starting with two low fertility days, four high fertility days, and ovulated according to the digital kit on the 25th. I was expecting my period three days ago (I have 32 days cycles, and I am always regular). I have not received it yet and have had some symptoms may be correlated with pregnancy (mild cramping more like pinpricks than regular cramps), nipples sticking out more and more sensitive than normal, breasts feeling larger than normal, mild nausea here and there, headaches, ringing in my ears, and fatigue in the afternoons and evening. I took two pregnancy tests this morning, and they were negative.

Can IVF have messed up my cycle and caused a delay in my period and cause these symptoms because of the hormones? How long are periods typically delayed after IVF?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to our portal.

Actually, it can be delayed by one week approximately due to hormone fluctuations and sometimes more, but as you mentioned, you tried to conceive between your ovulation days, but then you did the test, and they were negative. So, in such a case, when urine pregnancy test (UPT) is negative, then the next step is to check your beta HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels. If that also fails to diagnose, then you can go for an ultrasound examination. Because it is possible that you are pregnant and urine pregnancy test is not showing accurate results. So to confirm, you can go for further testing. Once it is clear that you are not pregnant, delayed periods can be corrected by hormone therapy. Another benefit of USG is that you can find out the causes of delayed periods like any cyst. Or sometimes ectopic pregnancy. So my advice is you should go for an ultrasound and beta HCG test. That will be the best in your case. Later on, you can send me reports. I will explain to you accordingly.

I hope this helps.