Unexplained infertility - prescribed Clomid

[Shoegal30]

We've been TTC #1 for 18 months.

All my tests inc HSG and DH SA has come back clear. On top of that I use cbfm and temp which shows ovulation and I have regular cycles. I also do acupuncture.

The FC has prescribed me 50mg of Clomid for 6 months. If this unsuccessful we will be eligible for IVF/IUI.

Has anybody else been prescribed Clomid despite ovulating naturally and got their BFP. Looking for some good news stories to lift my spirits x

[Shellster52]

I did try Clomid for 3 months but no luck. Sorry not the good news story you were looking for to lift your spirits, but couldn't read and run when no one else has replied.

I am in Australia. Is that the standard thing they do over there - prescribe Clomid before you are able to have IVF. Seems weird to prescribe Clomid if you are ovulating anyway but I noticed that was the procedure for another girl on mumsnet as well so assume that is just how your system works?

Actually, my hubby's SA came back normal, so I assumed the problem was me, but another doctor said that only SA's at an andrology lab are accurate. We then did this and it came back as 100% abnormal. So now I am suspect of all unexplained infertility cases that SA has not been accurately assessed.

[Happilymarried155]

I would double check this with your fertility specialist. There is no point all all in giving you clomid if you already ovulate. I think sometimes doctors give it because it's cheaper than proceeding with the other options! X

[Shoegal30]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

The FS said she wanted to try as despite ovulating Clomid can act like a boost as well as releasing more eggs so there may be more chance of catching hopefully.

As we aren't eligible for assisted conception for another few months I am grateful for having this as at this point in time I would probably eat poo if I was told it would help me get my bfp

My DH had his SA about 6 months ago so I will see if his GP can arrange another test to see if there has been any change.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Where is the FC based, at a subfertility dept at hospital?.

Any test result of six months or over should be discounted; you need up to date test results.

Also it is no point at all in giving you clomid if you already ovulate as clomid can have the reverse effect. Clomid's main job is to make the ovaries work harder; I cannot see how it would benefit in this case.

I would ensure that your man in particular has been properly investigated regarding male factor issues. One semen analysis is not fully conclusive at all.

Who has stated that you are not eligible for assisted conception for another few months?. This is likely not to be correct at all.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I would not call you unexplained necessarily; all this means is that they have failed to find out what is wrong. It is a "diagnosis" given to couples often when they as a couple have not been adequately enough investigated.

[Christelle2207]

I have to disagree that there is no point. I was prescribed clomid and it worked first time. I was definitely ovulating (I know because scans and blood tests made it clear). In my case I was ovulating too late in my cycle to get pg- LP was only about 7 days. The month I took clomid I ovulated much earlier- about day 12 rather than 19. Not sure what it did to my LP but I got pg that month! Good luck is definitely worth a shot.

[Shoegal30]

Hi Attila the FC is based at the hospital and I was referred by my GP after 12 unsuccessful months of TTC.

The FC has told me that in our area you are only eligible for assisted conception after 2 years which is in 6 months time.

I just think my area is very slow as at my first appointment with the FC she told me that before they could do anything I would need a HSG test which had an 8 month wait. I went private for the test which came back clear hence the reason the FC has seen me again and has now prescribed me Clomid until we hit the 2 year mark.

Do you think there is anything we can go? We have considered going private for assisted but my FC told us that we wouldn't be eligible for any help on the NHS if we went private so we have decided to wait the 6 months now.

And many congrats to you Christella. That's great news. Hopefully I will get similar good news using Clomid too

[helloelo]

I do not mean to revive a closed topic but in case people read this later I want to clarify something.
Clomid is quite often given to woman who normally ovulate but have been TTC for a while and have some irregularities in their cycles (if dh's SA is normal). Under proper surveillance (scans to check number of follicles, endometre size and blood tests for LH and Estradiol), I'd definitely trade some hut flushes for a bit of a fertility push! Plus it's a cheap way to start infertility treatment.
Good luck to all couples TTC

[MrsCakesPremonition]

My GP prescribed 3 cycles of Clomid, despite my test results being normal and my periods being regular.

I took the Clomid in Oct, Nov and Dec. On my Jan cycle I got my BFP and DC1 is now 10yo. I have no idea if this was pure coincidence or if there was some sort of delayed impact.

However the side effects of the Clomid were not nice IME.

[Shoegal30]

Thanks ladies. It's encouraging to hear your views.

I have taken my Clomid medication for this month and am looking forward to getting on with DTD and hopefully getting my BFP.

Thankfully I haven't experienced many symptoms bar the hot flushes at night and like helloelo said its a small price to pay if it works. Fingers crossed x

[EdnaGold]

Wow Shoegal I'm exactly the same as you. We've passed every test with flying colours- the HSG, progesterone shows i'm ovulating, thyroid ok, sperm test was excellent. We don't smoke, we're both healthy..I thought we drank quite a lot but Doctor said 10-15 units a week isnt that much.

However the down side is I've just finished my 6 months of clomid and it didn't work. So we are one of the many "unexplained" couples...which really i think just means the same as "bad luck". This month I used the LH stips and got a very positive result one day so we did a lot of baby dancing in and around that time. Waiting to see if it worked.

If it didn't we start IUI in the next month or so. However I'm not downhearted about it, I feel glad that some (free) help is on the way. If clomid doesnt work you sound like you stand a great chance with IUI like us.

[EdnaGold]

oh and p.s. waking up with the hot flushes in the night were the only symptom I got on Clomid and they got better.

[Shoegal30]

Sorry to hear that Clomid didn't work for you Edna. Do you have regular cycles? How long have you been trying for?

I've heard mixed reviews of Clomid but am grateful that we are getting to try this rather than wait another 6 months not doing anything until we are eligible for assisted.

Our FC said that if and when we get to the assisted stage, we can choose between IUI and IVF. I'm hoping we don't have to get that stage though

Good luck with IUI. I'm sure it will work for you xx