IUI or IVF

[Delta]

Hello all, I haven't been on the forum in a while, as I was rather emotional and frustrated with our TTC journey so far. I recognise a few names on here,

Just wanted to get some advice, we have been ttc for over 2 years, spent the last 18 months running tests with the GP and at 2 years she referred us. There are no problems whatsoever it appears, my dh's SA is fine, my results are good (FSH, Progesterone, ultrasound, prolactin and thyroid). My periods are fairly regular, and last year when I was still testing I was definitely ovulating.

Basically we, the GP and the fertility doc have no idea why we aren't conceiving.

SO we had our first appointment with the fertility doc (Dr Shenfield at UCH) last week, and I left feeling half relieved and half fobbed off.

Having read all the guidelines I had expected we would go straight for IVF (after some tests), given it is unexplained infertility and we have been trying for over 2 years.

But the fertility doc wants us to try IUI first (3 rounds) then we have the option of moving on to IVF.

On one hand I am relieved I don't have to go straight onto IVF with all the hormones and potential complications and side effects. But on the other hand why is she recommending IUI (with climbed) even though we have no ovulation problems or any other identifiable problems, and the guidelines state very clearly IUI should not be offered in these cases but to move straight on to IVF.

I am just a bit confused and not sure how I feel about all of this.

Has anyone been through this? What are your views on this? Thanks xx

 

[phonixgirl]

Hi hun

I only got diagnosed with PCOS in June. We have been under the care of the fertility clinic for about a year now. The scans showed I had polycystic looking ovaries but they said I was ovulating. They told me it shouldn't stop us conceiving and OH sperm were great. So really, we had no idea either.

Our consultant gave us the choice but said we were young (well, under 35) and so might as well do the three rounds of IUI as we could. It didn't work and I later got diagnosed with PCOS. We start IVF next cycle.

So maybe it is normal for unexplained if you are young? It can work. Good luck. X

 

[LittleDalla]

Heya
I have PCOS and in a same sex relationship. Have been TTC for 4 years now. We got referred to our fertility clinic and was told we were too young to be put on a donor list and had to be 23. And was told because same sex relationships doesnt make me infertile we were sent away!
Anyways, since then I believe the NHS has changed a few things ....
And we are now being referred again and have my first appointment 1st December (which I want to be here now)
I am under the impression (please correct me if I am wrong) ... that before IVF IUI is offered for how many cycles your area allows. I think the only time you skip IUI is when there is a known fertility problem when TTC naturally wont happen. I know IUI isnt much different to what you do know minus the BDing. I think it is used to save costs of IVF if it successful.
So because you are Ovulating there is still a chance the sperm used in IUI will still meet the egg naturally.

 

[Pearl999]

Hi
We have been ttc for 3years with an early loss at the beginning I have mild endo but otherwise unexplained.
Our consultant recommended 3 cycles of Iui with injectables, I ovulate but he said would boast quality and quantity.
I googled success rates for Iui and found them to be not great but my consultant was confident and we had 3 goes before Ivf so we went for it.
First cycle was a bfn and so on our second cycle I had booked to see consultant in 2 months time in order to speed up Ivf process
Anyway to my surprise I got my positive this time. I am only 5 weeks and grateful for each day that passes. But Iui got me pregnant. My advice, what have you got to loose if your young enough (I'm 36) and it's free?!? Go for it.

Best of luck xx

 

[phonixgirl]

I agree with what Pearl and LittleDalla say xx

 

[Poispinner]

Me and my OH were classed as unexplained and went straight to IVF.

 

[LittleDalla]

I think it does depend on your area and CCG.
I do wish you all the best of luck and hope you get your BFP! Same to all your ladies.
Also congratulations Pearl and Poispinner

 

[Delta]

I guess it does hugely depend on the consultant!

I was thrown as the NICE guidelines state that in the case of unexplained infertility and if the couple have been trying for over 2 years then it is NOT recommended to provide climbed or IUI, and it is recommended to go straight to IVF. On the other hand I would prefer it to be as 'natural' as possible, and IUI is that options, yet the success rates do not seem much better to me than normal BDing.

I am 'young' I suppose at 33 years old, but my dreams of a big family are clearly out of the window. I have been wanting to start trying for four years and my dh wanted to wait, we finally stat and over 2 years later we still aren't pregnant. I know some of you have waited much longer and have been on other difficult journeys, but it is so hard, once you want (both want) to start your family, you just want it to happen and it is heartbreaking when it doesn't. I just don't want to waste 9 months running more tests and trying IUI for it to fail and a year from now be in the same situation and facing IVF.

I plan to do one cycle of IUI and see how that goes, then I will make an appointment with the consultant so I can discuss the option afterwards of potentially already moving on to IVF if it isn't successful.

fingers crossed we all get our dream soon xx

 

[Blueflower]

We were in a similar situation, all tests fine & unexplained. I also wanted to start earlier but DH wasn't ready! We were advised to go straight to IVF because of my age but I wanted to try IUI first to get used to some of the processes and drugs first. I heard that some ladies had IVF, it didn't work then had IUI which did and they wasted their money & energy on IVF first. Our consultant agreed as long as we didn't have any gaps and went straight to IVF if necessary as time was of the essence. We did 2 rounds with Clomid, it wasn't successful but I'm still glad we did it as it was a practice for IVF and much cheaper. I didn't have any side effects or complications with IVF but it is very draining & I believe would be daunting to go straight into. But having just one round of IUI as you said might be a good compromise. Good luck!