Come and talk to me about IVF and Clomid purrrleeease...

[Nixz]

Let me give you a quick rundown on my history
1999 - laparoscopy - diagnosed with endometriosis
2000 - Dye test revealed a blockage in right fallopian tube. Dr not positive that i would be able to conceive naturally.
2001 - gave birth to my dd
2006 - referred to Womens hospital to attend fertility clinic. Lots of day 21 progesterone tests showed no signd of ovulation.
2007 - laparoscopy and dye test again. Revealed scar tissue on my right tube and now blockage in my left tube. waiting for appt with consultant to discuss my next move, nurse on ward seems to think that i would not be a good candidate for clomid.

So, what i would like to know is..

1. What is clomid and how does it work etc.
   
2. What happens with IVF, how long does it take etc
   
3. Is it reliable? What are the success rates?
   
   Thanks ladies! I really need loads of info and opinions, i dont know anyone personally who has experienced and fertility problems.

[Nixz]

Anyone?

[buttercupbabe]

Hi not sure I can really help but will try. I've just been prescribed clomid and the info I've been given is that it regulates cycles by helping your body to ovulate regularly. I know nothing about ivf. Sorry that probably hasn't helped much but atleast it's bumped it for you!

[Nixz]

Thanks for your reply, even though my cycles are 36 days, they are still regular. Do you know if the clomid would actually encourage my ovaries to release eggs? Im not sure why im not ovulating, at a recent scan, the radiographer noticed that there was no follicle - so no egg. Also had lots of day 21 progesterone tests.

[thelady]

Ok - I'm not a doctor, but I was on clomid for most of last year....

Clomid basically alters the balance of hormones during the early part of your cycle to increase the likelihood of a follicle/egg maturing and hence ovulation happening. If you're on clomid, they check (or should) every cycle at around 21 days to see if you've ovulated.

If there are obvious blockages in the fallopian tubes, then clomid may not solve the problem as even if there's an egg, it's not going to be able to get where it needs to be.

I had the opposite problem: clomid for ages, ovulating very nicely each cycle (though horribly irregular) and no blockages/damage - but no fertilisation either. Was told to go away and think about IVF.

In IVF your body is stimulated to make many follicles/eggs which are removed. The eggs are fertilised under the microscope and allowed to develop to the same stage as they would have inside you until they would have implanted. Then, one or two are placed into your uterus in the hope that they will implant and you'll become pregnant.

There are a lot of drugs, injections etc. involved, and I don't know the details, but hopefully your GP/consultant should have what you need.

[Nixz]

Thanks very much for your reply - did they give you a reason why you were not conceiving?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Nixz

Purely from reading your history it seems to me like endometriosis is and has been the most likely cause for your problems now.

Not surprised therefore to see that you're not considered to be a good candidate for clomid; the scar tissue and blockage will need to be dealt with first and foremost and that will in all likelihood mean more surgery. Drug treatment on its own will not touch adhesions once they are formed, these will need to be cut out.

With that in mind I would think they would try a surgical option first with a view to IVF. The main risks associated with IVF is infact pyschological; it is a very stressful procedure which will involve a lot of time and commitment on your part. It still has overall a low success rate.

Clomid encourages the ovaries to work harder; it is usually only given to women where there is proof that ovulation is not happening.

HTH

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

One other thing; did they use the laps purely for diagnostic purposes?. It is often only used as a diagnostic tool but it can and should be used as a treatment too.

If you have more surgery I would speak at great length with the surgeon beforehand and you should also have a follow up appointment a week or so post op to fully discuss the findings.

[Nixz]

thanks very much Attila - during the lap, i had adhesions treated and a cycst removed. However, i have not discussed it with the consultant yet.
If i have one tube which is working well, do you think they would try me with Clomid? What are the success rates whilst using this?
Once again, thanks for your advice

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Nixz

I think its 50/50 as to whether they would use clomid or not. My gut feeling on this is that they will want to see how the surgery went first before trying anything else.

I would also ask at some length about the nature of the cyst removed; if this is described as a "chocolate cyst" this is endometriosis related.

Clomid does have some success overall; I think it can help three of out four women to ovulate but pg rates are lower.

I hope this has helped a bit.

Attila

[thelady]

Nope - I'm one of those 'unexplained infertility' types.

Then I went and fell pregnant out of the blue!