Anyone struggling with 'unexplained' infertility?

[nineathena]

We suffer from secondary (unexplained!) infertility. I have had a barrage of tests and procedures and everything is normal. I'm under 35, I ovulate monthly (well, the ov kits say so. :) ), I have normal and regular cycles.

DH was tested, everything within normal range.

We've been trying for over 3 years now. And nothing. Clomid for 4 months, and nothing.

We're now starting an IVF cycle this month, along with immune system suppressing on egg implantation. (Fert doc reckon it could possibly be an immune response?)

Anyone else have this issue? I'm not feeling very positive at the moment. In fact, I'm feeling pretty despondent.

[rainbowbreeze123]

Were in the same situation, been trying for just over 4 years and are about to go through our 2nd cycle of ivf. Been diagnosed as unexplained, have had 6 months of clomid, 4 x IUI and 1 IVF cycle and nothing

Its so hard and frustrating - what immune treatment are you having ? Weve been offered a soya drip with this cycle

Im not feeling v positive either, just trying to focus on the extra things were doing this cycle and hoping they make the difference !

[CanISayOfHerFace]

Hi

We had primary unexplained infertility. All our test results came back as normal according to the NHS ranges. However when I dug a bit deeper some results were on the low end of normal including AMH which I had to ask and pay for as it wasn't offered. I figured in the end it was just a combination of a few things not being great!

After a HSG and laparoscopy we got pregnant from our first IUI. Unfortunately I miscarried. The second IUI was unsuccessful and the third resulted in my DS.

Any reason why straight to IVF rather than IUI if you're unexplained? IUI is cheaper and can be a good way of seeing how your body reacts to the meds.

[nineathena]

I'm with a private clinic. The doc said that IUI isn't that much cheaper, and the success rate is a lot lower. He reckons our best bet would be IVF.

I'm going to get steroids for about 4 months, starting before egg collection. The doctor has a theory (along with a lot of colleagues based on recent studies) that there might be a link between not falling pregnant and the body having an auto-immune response.

My first injection started today.

[Naty1]

Dsis had unexplained and had 2 dc from 2 ivf so it doesnt mean it wont work.
At least with ivf you will see how many embryos and how well they do and know for certain it has fertilised if you get to ET you know you have a chance.

[Wistfulthinking]

Hi, I was diagnosed with unexplained secondary fertility and we eventually went for the Chicago immune tests and were found to have high killer cells (an immune response). We tried with just the intralipid drip and a drug protocol if we fell pregnant, but only managed to have an early miscarriage in a year of trying. We then went down the immune IVF route which is more aggressive drug wise. The first round failed, but we concieved with a FET round and are expecting our baby imminently. My protocol included intralipids, Clexane injections, prednisolone (steroids), oestrogen and progesterone. There is an ongoing thread on MN about trying to concieve with prednisolone etc. you may find interesting and I also found the book "is my body baby friendly" by Dr Beer very helpful. Good luck!

[HawkeyeInChaos]

I also had immune system suppression with ivf. It consisted of aspirin (before egg collection), prednisolone and clexane. For me, that protocol made the difference and I had two successful ivf cycles.

I hope it works for you. Wishing you luck.

[CanISayOfHerFace]

That's interesting. IUI at our clinic was about £1000 and IVF around £3000 (excluding drugs) so quite a lot cheaper.

I was just interested as not many people seem to have IUI.

The auto immune stuff is really interesting. Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you.

[Naty1]

I assume drugs for iui would also be much cheaper as only 1-3 maybe follicle stimulated.
Maybe its the potential to grow 5 say blasts, pick the best, freeze some etc that is the incentive.
I would have tried iui if it was nhs and you can then have ivf if it doesnt work as your overall chance would be higher. And if it works its cheaper for dc2 if necessary. As something like 50% of couples dont have frosties anyway.
But if there is no issue with sperm found really no reason to think putting tgem closer will help?