IUI and overstimulation without monitoring — would you do it

[anotherscroller]

Hi!
I’m a bit annoyed because if this IUI cycle doesn’t work then my next ovulation will be during Christmas, and the fertility clinic is closed.
They say we would then have to skip a cycle.
I asked if I could just take the letrozole (2.5mg) anyway and try natural conception with timed intercourse, and the doctor said no, that would be too risky without scanning you, in case you have three or four follicles. This cycle I only had the one on letrozole.
What would you do? I can’t work out how high the risk is of over stimulation.
I’m a bit of a rebel and I’m annoyed about missing a cycle because of stupid Christmas!
thanks

I conceived DD using letrozole (a higher dose than you) on an unmonitored cycle but only after i had done two monitored cycles which had produced zero and then one follicle. So the risk of OHSS or multiple follicles was low. BUT that was with the full support of my doctor (in case it makes a difference, this was through the NHS clinic at Guys in London).

It's hard if you've had a long journey to get this far, but could you treat it as permission to enjoy yourself over christmas without worrying about in you are in the TWW etc?

Sending lots of luck

I once produced 14 follicles during an IUI cycle. I was advised to stop the treatment but I was so upset that they agreed to perform a procedure that reduced the number of follicles before insemination. So for me it would be a big no no.

OK! Thanks so much for your advice. Ok I guess you never know. I suppose I could get a second option but if they advise against it, I won’t do it.
Fourteen!!

I really wouldn't. There's a reason why your clinic is advising against - and it's not that they don't want you to get pregnant!

I am going through fertility treatment myself and understand how desperate it can feel - I will also have to skip Christmas - but a month is just a month.

Don't put yourself at risk of a multiple pregnancy that could go wrong. Just wait.

Thanks for your kind message @Organzo. You’re right. When I think about a multiples pregnancy going wrong, it in no way is worth it just for a month less off this long agony of fertility treatment.
I really appreciate your message and I’m sorry you’re going through this too, it’s so hard isn’t it. January baby dust to you.

I seem to be the only one who is allowed to go on ahead without monitoring this Christmas, I've actually not been scanned the last few cycles 👀

Oh that’s interesting, is that because you’ve been on letrozole / chimie for a while and they scanned the first cycles and there was no overstimulation? Are you also on 2.5mg?

clomid, i meant to write

Yes on clomid, 100mg. I checked and haven't been monitored since June

My clinic gave me clomid 3 times and did zero monitoring each time. Don’t know how many follicles I produced, but it was agony (cos it turned out I have pcos and my ovaries were welded together with scar tissue which made loads of acvrive follicles a dumb idea).

I’m fascinated that you have such a diligent clinic!

I wish you more luck than I had xx

Are you under a private or NHS clinic? Have you used clomid every month since June?! My NHS clinic told me they wouldn't recommend more than 6 cycles of clomid ever due to the increased risk of ovarian cancer in a woman's lifetime. Its part of the reason why they recommended letrozole instead. I'm amazed you've not had any monitoring in that time.

@AnotherNC22 I am through a private clinic. I have been on clomid most of this year, this is my 9th cycle. The NICE guidelines don't support the speculation of ovarian cancer so I was happy to continue. My Mum took clomid for 7 months for me and 8 months for my sister.

I had been monitored closely with multiple scans and bloods tests from the beginning. I produced 1 follicle each time so there was no point doing the same thing over and over, my Consultant noted the stress it caused me and advised I continue to use OPKs. If I have any pain, fever etc. I contact her immediately.

@Harper02 oh, thats really interesting thanks! We are going for #2 next year so will bear that in mind if we go through 6 cycles!