TTC 30 months- Clomid help!

[Slug123]

Hi all,

Been a while since I've been on here but I need some experience from real people!

Just been to a gynaecology appointment after failing at TTC for 30 months, 2.5 years. For background, I've had 3x bloods, internal and external ultrasounds, and a HSG as well as OH having SA and everyhting is (to quote) "really good" i.e. results are great and nothing appears to be wrong yet we still can't get pregnant.

They've given me two options. Wait another 6 months as "it should happen" (wanted to punch her at this point!) or try Clomid for 6 months to see if that helps. However I feel like she was trying to put me off Clomid by saying I'd be at high risk of OHSS because I'm ovulating normally every month.

My gut tells me to try the Clomid but I'm concsious that could be my emotions just desperate to get pregnant. I've also looked online and can't see any scary stats to put me off so I wanted to ask some normal people of their experiences?

Thank you!

Bumping this up as need some support:(

Hey! I also have unexplained fertility, i dont have pcos, i ovulate every month, tubes are fine and OH sperm all okay. I think it was the depo injection that messed me up even though i was on it only for 1 year 10 years ago but before that i got pregs straight away x2 so was super fertile. Since the injection nada in 10 years!
AnywAy just did 2nd month of clomid. Even though i ovulate it still might help as it makes you ovulate more eggs and makes them more mature or something. So i would suggest you do it, it really helps alot of people. If you are scanned on day 12 then they can see how many eggs and so if youre over stimulated they can tell you not to have sex. Ive only had 3 good size follicles so i think over stim is rare. I have clomid 100mg day 2-6 then trigger shot like day 12 then progesterone pessaries from 3dpo.

I’d ask for letrozole in your position. Another
ovulation induction drug but has fewer side effects and is gentler on the body. Doesn’t give you hot flushes and crazy emotions and doesn’t dry up cervical mucus.

They don’t typically monitor cycles (apart from day 21 blood progesterone test) so can be useful to temp / chart, use ovulation prediction kits, to get a feel for what’s happening? Sound stupid but are you sure you hitting the right days for bd? Temping can be useful as it makes sure you keep bd’ing until you see a temp rise..

You dont mention your age but if you’re over 35 I wouldn’t let them keep you on letrozole/ clomid for 6 months plus. If you want more than one and have unexplained infertility, moving up to IVF sooner than later is advisable as you’ll have eggs / embryos ready for child number two when needed.

We had been trying for about the same time, no joy. (We already had our first child, though.). Had all the tests and they could see no reason why. Age was not on my side though (I was 39) but I was very fit and healthy.

Got pregnant the first month taking Clomid. Sadly that pregnancy ended in the first trimester. They told me to take a month off, minimum, then try again when I felt ready. Got pregnant again, first month of trying again, this one was a keeper.

Best of luck.

Hi @Slug123

Can I ask if your BMI is under or over 30? Do you have insulin resistance? Age under or over 35?

This makes a difference regarding Clomid vs Letrozole.

However its quite common to prescribe these for women with unexplained infertility before moving onto IVF.

OHSS is a risk, but usually they start you on the low dose for at least 3 months.

Go for the medication. I went to my gp (who has been an obstetrician for 20 years) after ttc for 3 months because my cycle was suddenly irregular so I wanted to check if I should getting looked at. He said you’re 38, you’re getting on, how about clomid? I thought 3m was pretty speedy to move onto that and we agreed I’d get a blood test to see if I was ovulating and if not come back and try clomid. So on that basis, after 2.5 years, I’d JUMP at it. I did ask about twins and he didn’t think that was a big risk (of course, he wouldn’t be the one having baby twins!)

Oh and my first two were conceived cycle 1 or 2 following getting the implant out, i had no other indications I’d struggle at all when he suggested clomid. (I didn’t go on it, fell pregnant the next month)

Hi all,

Thank you so much for all coming back and for your insights.

For more clarity as a lot of you have mentioned, me and OH are both 29, both healthy BMIs and both fit and healthy from all perspectives. Doctors so far have zero idea why it isn't working for us but keep telling us given our age and health/ weight "it will happen" which, after 2 and a half years, isn't helpful!

For the first six-ish months of trying, we were just "blind trying". Then we spent a lot of time using OPKs and temping etc which, in honestly, taught us nothing excpet for my cycle's are regular and things happen when expected etc. It then became obsessive and unbearable for both me emotionally and as an impact on our relationship and so, for the last twelve-ish months, we've gone back to "blind trying".

Hi @Slug123

There is definetely something going on.... hopefully the 'unexplained infertility' diagnosis isn't an easy way out of them ordering more tests. You could be asymptomatic for endometriosis for example.

Anyway trying Clomid for 6 months is ok, but there are no guarentees. I don't know if they ultrasound monitor the cycles where you are, but that's one way some places avoid the twins risk with Clomid.

After 6 months and no success, don't hesitate and move onto IVF.

@Iszzy thank you for your response.

Does endo show up on internal ultrasouns? Or HCG's? I've had both with no luck you see.

Hi @Slug123

I don’t think I can provide much advice but wanted to join this thread as I’m in exactly the same boat as you! Literally could have written your post myself except for the fact that me and OH are both a year older at 30.

My doctor has suggested trying Clomid so I’ll be starting next cycle! Will be nice to hear from others and have a buddy if you do decide to start Clomid 😊

@Riviera90 nice to know I'm not alone!

Let me know how you get on xx

@Slug123

Ultrasound can pick up endo but its not perfect compared to MRI and the Operator has to go looking for it specifically (and know what to look for).

You could always ask the centre where you had the ultrasound done if they check for endo specifically during the test and how accurate it is?

They would know 'off the record' if they're operators and method is reliable or not.

@Iszzy Thank you. I might keep that one in my back pocket for my follow up appointment :)

@Slug123 I'm literally in the same boat and have started taking Clomid. I think it's worth giving a shot if it's not working on its own.

Good luck and let us know how you get on x

Hi guys i commented on this thread a couple weeks ago (see above) and after 10 years of unexplained infertility and 2 months on clomid i just got my BFP!!! I cant get too excited as my hormone levels are low so might end in chemical but to even get pregnant means so much. Good luck everyone i know its going to work for you too 💓

@Janejanedoe86 that’s amazing, congratulations!!! I hope your hormone levels keep rising and you have a happy and healthy 9 months ahead of you 💛
Thank you for posting back on here, you’ve given me hope! I’m on day 3 of 5 on my first cycle of clomid and I just really want it to work.
Hopefully we’ll see some more success stories on here over the next few weeks 😊

@Janejanedoe86 congratulations Jane! I can't wait to post my success story too once I'm in the same boat!

@Riviera90 I'm currently in day 12 of my cycle. Could be ovulating any moment now. What dosage are you on? And how many cycles have you been on Clomid?

@ladyge You’re exactly one week ahead of me! Did you have a scan? I was originally told I would need a scan on cd12 but I’ve contacted the clinic twice this week and haven’t received a response yet so will give them a call on Monday.

I’m only on 50mg and taking it between cd2-6, this is my first cycle. What dosage have they given you? Have you had any side effects?

@Janejanedoe86 thank you for the good news story and congratulations!

The doctor prescribing mine won't be able to do scans due to their facilities but at this point I'm willing to try anything!

We get married next month so we've decided to wait until after that and then start in January.

Fingers crossed for everyone and please, please keep me updated as this is all really giving me hope.

Interested to see dosages too as I wonder what I'll be on.

@Riviera90 that's incredible! I haven't been told to have any scans. I wish I did tho! I only have 21 day blood tests which confirm if I have ovulated at the current dosage.

Fingers crossed I hope it works for you this cycle! I'm on cycle 2 at 100mg. I didn't ovulate at 50mg unfortunately so they increased my dosage. I don't think my symptoms were so bad tbh. I had random cramping and backache etc the usual pre-period aches around ovulation time but that's about it. I haven't felt much different at 100mg either so far but I'm not sure if that's just because it's too soon 😂

Please keep me updated with your progress! It's nice to have someone to speak to that is in the same boat

@Slug123 good luck and congratulations on your wedding! I hope everything goes smoothly for you! ❤️

Hi, Clomid worked for us over ten years ago when I finally got pg with dad. It was our last chance really. But it worked as I was told I was 'sub-fertile'

Dd not dad!

Congratulations on your wedding @Slug123!!
Love a winter wedding. We are meant to be getting married 10.12.22 but think we’ll have to postpone as baby comes first.

@ladyge it’s strange how everywhere does things differently! I have also been told to get the day 21 bloods done though. I don’t think it will affect my ovulation (well I hope it won’t) as I ovulate every month but I was given clomid as a way to help boost my progesterone levels and give me a longer LP so hopefully it does the trick. That’s good you haven’t had too many symptoms, I haven’t either really just noticed that I’m really thirsty!

Please keep me updated and I hope it works for you this month too x

@Allshallbewell2021 dad 😂. That’s amazing that it worked for you to give you your Dd!

Let’s hope the success stories keep coming 😁