Follicles

[Joey2011]

Hi ladies,

I've have unexplained infertility and in December had first apt at fertility hospital where they retook bloods and scans.

The sanographer (think that's what you call it) mentioned that I have four follicles on my left ovary as the scan was done mid-cycle. What does this mean in terms of whether I can have fertility drugs as I read on one of the threads that someone was told to stop Clomid at 4 follicles in case of over stimulation.

I was told that it will not be until March until we're seen again and then who knows how long we'll have to wait after that. I find it so frustrating that noone explains anything!

I'm really thinking about IUI as the next step as I want to try that before jumping into IVF.

I'm going to a private clinic tomorrow morning for a AHL blood test as apparently they recommend that before anything is done.

Any thoughts on my 4 follicles?

Thanks!

Xx

 

[EmilyB]

Hi Joey

One of those 4 follicles will mature and release when you ovulate. Clomid encourages more than your usual number to grow and more than one to mature and release - which can result in multiple pregnancies. How many you have in a natural cycle has no bearing on how well you will respond to Clomid. I am in my second IUI cycle with Injectables this time as I have unexplained infertility too. Good luck xx

 

[Joey2011]

Thanks so much Emily, I'm excited about embarking on this IUI journey. Are you reacting ok to the fertility medication?

Xx

 

[LouiseB]

What size were the follicles?

It is normal to have a few follicles growing at the same time and then one or two should take the lead and mature for ovulation. It might mean nothing except that you are responding.

If they were all a similar size and large then a clomid cycle should be abandoned for risk of multiple pregnancy but I don't think it should mean you can't have clone anymore

I know everyone starts on 50mg but you could always have less if necessary

 

[Joey2011]

Thanks Louise, I'm not sure of the size but I'm happy to be led my the doctor.

I had a private blood test for AMH, I think it was that anyway and I have a consultation next Saturday to go through all of my test results done by the NHS. I just hope I'm in with a chance of IUI working as that's my plan b.

My plan c is IVF but I'm grateful for any intervention as this stage.

How many people have had experiences of IUI? I have a sister who conceived with Clomid and IUI, just hope the luck runs in the family!!

X

 

[EmilyB]

Hi Joey, sorry I'm confused- are you on clomid now? I assumed not when I posted that answer... I think I am reacting ok - I am at a different clinic for this, my second IUI. At my first clinic they prescribed letrozole (like clomid) but this clinic has said that both letrozole and clomid are less effective than injectables (gonal-f) because I ovulate anyway...

So instead of taking letrozole between day 2 and 6, my OH is injecting me in the tummy on day 2 to 6 with gonal-f. I have a scan tomorrow to see how big the follicles are and how many. When they are big enough (and if there are not too many) i'll have an injection to make me ovulate and then go in for IUI about 36 hours after that. Then with this clinic, they prescribed progesterone for 2 weeks to support the luteal phase.

Apparently, with unexplained infertility there is a 40 - 50% chance of success with IUI in 3 - 4 months. And if you are going to get pregnant with IUI it is likely to be in month 3 or 4 but very unlikely if it takes any longer than that....

I am excited and disappointed that it has come to this but I am trying to go with excited...

x

PS I know of one other person with unexplained and she got pregnant on the second cycle

 

[Kay Kay]

Hi Joey, sorry I'm confused- are you on clomid now? I assumed not when I posted that answer... I think I am reacting ok - I am at a different clinic for this, my second IUI. At my first clinic they prescribed letrozole (like clomid) but this clinic has said that both letrozole and clomid are less effective than injectables (gonal-f) because I ovulate anyway...

So instead of taking letrozole between day 2 and 6, my OH is injecting me in the tummy on day 2 to 6 with gonal-f. I have a scan tomorrow to see how big the follicles are and how many. When they are big enough (and if there are not too many) i'll have an injection to make me ovulate and then go in for IUI about 36 hours after that. Then with this clinic, they prescribed progesterone for 2 weeks to support the luteal phase.

Apparently, with unexplained infertility there is a 40 - 50% chance of success with IUI in 3 - 4 months. And if you are going to get pregnant with IUI it is likely to be in month 3 or 4 but very unlikely if it takes any longer than that....

I am excited and disappointed that it has come to this but I am trying to go with excited...

x

PS I know of one other person with unexplained and she got pregnant on the second cycle

emilyb that's really interesting about IUI, my hosp said there was a 1 in 11 chance of success but she didn't have it broken down into people with unexplained fertility versus other issues, so that is encouraging! i'm another unexplained and due to have IUI in the summer. have my fingers crossed for you and all the ladies going through IUI

 

[EmilyB]

Hi Kay Kay, its a 40 - 50 percent success rate over 3 to 4 cycles. So that's about 10 - 15 percent per cycle which is roughly what your doctor paid. But apparently it a cumulative success rate. So up to 50% of couples with unexplained infertility conceive within 4 months. As I understand it, most couples conceive in month 3 or 4, hardly any will conceive in the first month and almost none will conceive in month 5, 6 or after that. So if its gonna happen in will be within 4 months.

Obviously it is cheaper than IVF so some NHS doctors continue for longer than this. Statistically though, its not worth it.

X

 

[Joey2011]

Hey Emily, no I'm not on Clomid yet. I've just been looking into IUI privately as I'm already in the process for IVF but it's unlikely anything would be done until Summer due to waiting lists.

I have my consultation next Saturday so hopefully I'll be a good candidate.

It's so useful to know those stats and see IUI as a 3/4 month plan rather than the one month and put too much hope into it the first time.

Thanks for the info and best of luck tomorrow, please keep me posted. It's so reassuring knowing I'm not alone in all of this!!

X

 

[EmilyB]

Thanks Joey. I will do x

 

[LouiseB]

Oh, i thought you was already on clomid too

Fours follicles sound decent to me so hopefully it will come back positive for your AMH result.

 

[Corrinne37]

Hi Joey.
Was wondering what had happened to you and thought not heard from you for a bit.
Im still here. after second mmc, i am under investigation with a fertility specialist too .
Good to see you back,though really hope you are not here for too much longer and you get the answers and treatment you need.
Good luck, xxxxx

 

[Joey2011]

Hi Corrinne!

I tried to focus on other things for a while, I'm so sorry about your second mc, that's devastating! Hopefully the investigations will shed some light on things for you.

I'm on a mission this year to be proactive. I'm in the system for NHS IVF but it could take forever for that to happen so I've been investigating IUI as I'm hoping I'm in with a chance of that working.

Good luck to you too!

X