Fertility treatment- IUI

[csds]

Hi, has anyone had IUI fertility treatment? We've been TTC for 3 years now. Had all the tests. We have a consultation tomorrow at the hospital about moving forward with treatment and we've been given an indication that IUI may be the best option to try first before IVF.

I'm just wondering if there's anyone out there who has been through this or is going through this.

Thanks

I'm honestly not sure what the blood test is for, I'd ask but there's a bit of a language barrier. I'm a military spouse and we are currently posted in Belgium. My main dr speaks great English but some of the nurses and midwives it's broken, but we get there. It's stated on my procedure form so I know they aren't just trying to nick my blood ha ha !

We to have to pay private. We can get nhs funding, started the procedure when. Ack in the uk but now we've been posted overseas it would mean me staying in the uk on my own and hubby coming over when needed., for us that's not an ideal situation so we decided to stay together, go through it together and pay.

I'll update you all later!

The blood test is to check hormone levels I believe.

Csds
Hope you get some news today. Fingers crossed for you! Every tiny thing you do is one step closer!

All the best csds!! Hope you get some good news. Xx

I've got to go back Monday and have another blood test and scan. I asked about the blood tests, its hormone levels, FSH, progesterone, E2 (whatever that is) and there was another one they test for.

The lady didn't comment on my scan so maybe my ovaries aren't at the measurements they need to be and maybe my hormones aren't their either yet.

Not bad news... just on hold for a little longer :0)

csds

That sounds promising I think. They wouldn't want you to go back so soon unless there was something growing??

csds and cobblestones

Have you both tried taking Agnes castus (also called vitex or chasteberry) supplements? They are meant to help balance hormones and are regularly used when TTC. Although I imagine you can't take them at the same time as other fertility medicine. If you do want to give them a go I believe you take them in the first half of your cycle. I take them as they help with my hormonal acne.

Toomany I took them for about 9 months about a year ago now and they didn't do anything for me, but you're right and I have heard good things about them which is why I tried them. I've always been regular but wasn't convinced I was ovulating which is why I took them but I still never got any positive opk readings.

That's what I thought to... something must be happening down there

That is promising csds.

Are you on any other medication?

Too many - I've only read about Agnus castes on mumsnet. Never tried it or asked the doc. I might ask about it if I take a break in between IUI cycles. Btw I'm also taking Inofolic. I started them earlier this year and for two consecutive cycles I got regular periods (despite pcos) and then third cycle nothing. But this time with letrozole I think it may have helped pushed things along. Not sure how it works though but generally tends to help women with pcos.

They have put me on thyroid medication. In the uk they said nothing about it regardless of how many tests I had (and I had a few as I'm regularly checked as there is a thyroid problem in my family) that said I believe it's down to stupid NHS cut off ranges. Mine is normal my TSH was 2.81 however since being here I've learned that when TTC it needs to be between 1-2 so I believe the medication is a short term thing.

Other than that, no other medication. I have my pregnyl 5000 and needle ready for my injection, my time line says I may be given cyclogest Once inseminated but that's it.

I have a question for you all, (I am a but dim at times so sorry for what may seem silly questions) so I'm having my scans, I know to measure my ovary sizes but when do they know how many eggs I've released? Will I have a scan before insemination for this or can they see now how many are getting ready for release?

Cobblestones, what is inofolic?

Csds, that's really good that at least you're getting some meds for your thyroid that you wouldn't have got in the UK.

Csds, I'm not sure about the eggs. Is the insemination done so that the sperm is in your uterus ready and waiting for the eggs? Or are the eggs already on their way when they do it? I'm interested to know that too. Although I had a lot of scans I didn't have any after the IUI and don't remember ever being told that I had definitely ovulated. Am I right in thinking the trigger injection causes ovulation ?? Good question!

Toomany, yes the injection triggers ovulation and then I'll be having insemination after that (is 36-40hrs of something).

I think I'm going to do a bit of googling, I was just intrigued to known how and when they know if you've released to many eggs

My IUI was abandoned because I had grown 10 eggs, but I don't know how many released. So they based it on how many had grown. The next cycle I made 10 eggs again and they popped some (same procedure as when they remove the eggs for the fertilisation part of IVF) and just left 2 or 3. So do you ovulate just from one side or both?? I need to google as well! And when you ovulate do all the eggs release or just some??

As fas as I'm aware yes I ovulate from both. I've not been given any reason to believe I don't or that I have any problems ovulating from either ovary. I've been tested for POCS.

I've been lead to believe that with this iui that the triggered ovulation releases all eggs that have been growing (according to a clomid page it could be 2-3 depending on clomid dosage)

Oh wow that is an interesting question. I had just assumed that as per normal your dominant follicle will release the egg and the others will calm down as in a regular cycle. I didn't think the injection could possibly lead to the smaller but ripe follicles also releasing the eggs. Which means there is a chance of multiples with IUI.

Inofolic is a combination of inositol and follic cid. My acupuncturist had recommended it and then the doc at the fertility clinic agreed I should take them as they help pcos women with egg quality. Not sure how it works though.

I might be wrong but I think a scan does show an empty follicle ie if the egg has been released or not. Though I don't think they check whether that has happened or not. Perhaps because once the eggs have been released there is nothing to be done?

Cobblestones

Ah right that answers a few of my questions. I knew there was a higher chance of multiples with IUI and IVF and that explains why. Thanks!

I know at the time I discussed the statistics with the consultant and the risk of complications with multiples. That's why they abandoned my cycle when I had 10 eggs. They let me keep 2 or 3 for the next cycle due to my age (35 at the time). If I had been under 35 they would only allow 1 egg, no exceptions.

My husband actually said at the time that he would love to have twins. Until he understood the risks to both me and the babies.

Some unscrupulous clinics abroad leave a lot more eggs in, however many the patient wants. When clearly this is ethically and morally wrong.

Hence that lady in the USA who had octuplets. The one who is always trying to cash in on them! I mean, how the hell can you cope with 8 newborn babies! That's insane!

Eeek yes imagine having to deal with 8 hungry babies all at once!

The U.K. being conscious of the impact on a Public Health Service tends to be strict about preventing multiple births. And ofcourse they do think about the patient too, something we tend to forget given the criticism of NHS as of late.

I did have IUI..One blocked Fallopian tube..
No clomid needed..First one failed
Second one got to the point of scans but due to a letter from a consultant for another health condition meant I had the internal scans so knew roughly when I was going to ovulate and concieved my now 10 year old.

I will also add during the month before a medication was stopped that made me gain weight and I lost 7Lbs without trying so never underestimate diet.. good luck.

Thanks for sharing! Always great to hear another positive story.

Starlight, were you originally having external scans then before your internal one?

All my scans are internal.

Been for bloods and scan this morning. Was told I have 2 15mm follicles in each ovary.

I've just had a call sting to go back in 2 days for bloods and scan.

How are you doing cobblestones?

Ooh csds that sounds very promising! Brilliant!

Cobblestones - hope you have been able to stay away from the pregnancy tests??

Starlight, were you originally having external scans then before your internal one?

No they were all internal scans.. I had an exploratory operation to find out one tube was blocked.

Starlight

Wow that's really good that it worked with no drugs, and one blocked tube. Have I understood your post correctly?

Great for others to hear positive stories. We all know how helpless infertility seems when we're going through it.

Xx

Csds - that is amazing!!! What day of the cycle are you on now? Did they also comment on the lining? Maybe ask them next time you go as when I had taken clomid that had thinned my lining.

I've kept away from the tests so far and I feel quite normal can't really tell so far if anything is happening. With my last two pregnancies I had started to feel pregnant (bloating, nausea, more frequent trips to the loo) about 3-4 days before AF was due.. So really hoping I start to feel something though it's still a while from now....