38, Single and IUI

[Nikkijfou]

Hi, I’m single with no fertility problems yet I’m turning 39 next month and just wondering if anyone has had any success with IUI and donor sperm in a similar situation?
I know my age is against me technically for IUI however I can’t afford IVF so just wondering if it’s worth my while going for this.
Thanks

[Persipan]

Fellow single lady here, but not successful thus far, I'm afraid.m (I'm on to double donor IVF at this point.)

From the way you've written this, it sounds as though you wouldn't currently be able to afford many rounds of IUI. So, I suppose the questions I'd ask would be how are you going to feel if you don't try, versus how are you going to feel if you try and don't succeed? How long would it take you to save enough for IVF?

[Nikkijfou]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I could currently afford a few rounds of IUI. I researched IUI based on the price difference so haven’t even considered the option of waiting and saving for IVF so you’ve got a very good point. I feel it is just my age that is pushing me towards IUI which I could afford to start now as opposed for opting for IVF which I would need to save for.
Think I have a lot more thinking to do!

[Persipan]

For me I think it worked out that one round of (own-egg) IVF was roughly equivalent, price-wise, to what three IUIs would have cost. Something to look into, anyway! Have you had a consultation with a clinic yet? That might also be helpful in terms of understanding how likely IUI would be to work for you personally.

[Nikkijfou]

Not yet, I’ve been in contact with a clinic and hoping to arrange an appointment for a few weeks time. I’ve looked into a few clinics and prices seem to vary, as low as £710 for one cycle of IUI to £1500.
Hopefully like you said once I’ve had an appt with a clinic I will have more of an ideas of what option is most suitable for me.

[Persipan]

Are those costs including donor sperm? £710 seems super-cheap if so.

[Nikkijfou]

Probably not, this was just information provided on their website so it probably doesn’t include it. I’ve requested further information from them so hopefully I’ll be more in the loop soon.

[Kaznet]

I was 40 and single when I started iui's I did 5 and then got so sick of getting negative results I decided to do ivf. All those iui's a broken leg and the waiting for a good cycle to start ivf meant I was almost 41 by the time i started and really freaking out about waiting too long. Luckily it went well and I ended up with 6 good quality embryos. I had 2 implanted and 4 frozen. Both the 2 implanted stuck and I'm pregnant with twins (still early days)
If I was doing it again I would do 1 iui but if it didn't work move to ivf. You might get lucky and not have to do ivf but I ended up feeling it was a waste if time and money for me

[demonofthedeep]

Definitely try IUI at least once or twice. Especially if you're not aware of any fertility problems. I had it it twice. Worked both times. I was 38 and 40. My children are 5 and 3 now!

[demonofthedeep]

Kaznet, Massive congratulations on your pregnancy. Hope you're doing ok.

[mayhew]

Our friend had IUI after failed IVF and subsequent relationship breakdown. She was 43 and had twin girls. It's been a long hard road as a single parent but she doesn't regret it. They are 20 now and at university. She's still in full time work.

[Nikkijfou]

Kaznet congratulations on your pregnancy! And twins aswell excellent. Definitely will try IUI at least once and if that’s not successful go from there, thanks for the advice.

[Nikkijfou]

Ah that’s brilliant, a nice positive outcome, fingers crossed I can be as lucky as you.

[Nikkijfou]

Sorry demonofthedeep that post was for you.

[Nikkijfou]

Mayhew that was amazing for your friend, I can imagine how hard it is alone but she did it and that’s fantastic.

[marryoneorbecomeone]

Have you looked at egg-sharing ivf?

[LuluMarie]

Egg freezing as fertility preservation after cancer in my twenties here, oh the drama.

You can have a simple blood test that will show your general fertility, it's hormone levels in your blood. You could do that first any time to get an idea of your own fertility? 38 is not old, its just the age where we are pressured to start panicking. So many woman have children in 40s now, not all IVF, others are in their 20s with perfect fertility like me and it ends up being a creative journey to say the least!

I'd say have the quick blood test to start, it will give you an idea of where your body is at in reality!

Good luck xxxxxx

[Nikkijfou]

No I’ve not ever heard of that. I’m literally st the research stage so any info/advice is great!

[Nikkijfou]

Lulumarie I’ll speak to my GP about getting the blood test done first then before I go down any route and go from there. Thanks for the advice, oh and the age thing is annoying but I’ve just learnt to ignore the “when are you having kids” remarks over the last year or two. Thanks again xx

[Persipan]

You may find your GP isn't willing/able to order an AMH test - if so, then at the clinic appointment you were looking to set up you'd be able to get it done. It's not especially expensive.

marryone, the OP is above the cut-off she to be an egg share donor and there's no reason at this stage to believe she needs donor eggs herself (plus, being an egg-share recipient is waaaay more expensive than own-egg IVF) so I'm not sure this would be relevant to her right now?

[Persipan]

Cut off age, sorry!

[OrchidInTheSun]

I conceived first time with IUI at 41 :)

[Lauren83]

I think you need to consider your chance of success against financial outlay, you may be looking at 5% chance with IUI against 18-19% with IVF, the cost of IUI looks appealing but there's other things to consider. (Approx prices)
Consultation approx £200
Ultrasound scan £150
Screening bloods £100-£200
Hycosy to check tubes £500
IUI £800-£1000
HFEA fee £37.50
Donor sperm £800
Meds £100-£200

Most clinics offer cycle packages where you get 3 IUIs for a set fee

You would be over the age to egg share with IVF unfortunately but a cycle of IVF would cost you approx £5,500-£6,500


Something else to consider is checking your CCGs assisted conception policy as some will fund IVF for patients who self fund 6 unsuccessful IUIs and that sometimes sways people to the IUI knowing they could access afterwards, that said you would need to have fully patient tubes and a decent ovarian reserve for the Doctors to consider you a candidate for IUI, a lot that plan it do end up moving straight onto IVF as they aren't suitable

[jellycat1]

Hi Nikki. I don't know anything about iui /ivf but just wanted to pop on to say don't assume you'll have a problem conceiving on the basis of age. I conceived first time trying at 38 and at nearly 40 and know a lot of others who managed it up to mid 40s. As a PP said we are conditioned to panic but don't. Stress is no friend to conception. Best of luck with it all.

[Nikkijfou]

Thank you all for your advice, there’s so much to think about! 🙂
I’ll just have to sit down and weigh up my options, I have no reason to believe I have fertility problems but obviously won’t know until I make the initial appointment with a clinic and get the ball rolling. Thank you all for your kind words and advice, it has all been really useful! x

[HappyHedgehog247]

You may also want to look at the donor conception board and consider home insemination with donor sperm.