To skip IUI and go straight to ivf?

[Kay2705]

So me and my DH have been trying to conceive for just under a year. We went to get some test and we were starting to get worried. My DH sperm analysis was Ok but very low morphology 1% 76 million count with over 70% motility.

I also have fibroids which is apparently distorting my uterine cavity a bit but not too much. we were considering doing 3 cycles of IUI which the clinic currently offers for £2,500 or we were also considering doing to abc ivf which have a flat rate for icsi ivf if you meet their criteria which is only about £1000 more.

Is it worth me doing IUI ? Or going straight to ivf? I know ivf can be very hard and intrusive but don't want to waste money on IUI with low odds.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or had success with IUI on 1% morph

Thanks

If I was you I would go straight to IVF but you might need your fibroids removed. I recently had one small one removed, this was suggested before IVF. I think with those SA results IVF/ icis would be best.

Thanks @LillyLeaf. How small was your fibroids and where was it positioned?

I know the risk of the fibroids surgery and it's not something I want to do unless I really have to. Fibroids is pretty common in my family also.

My consultant advised me to go straight for ICSI (ivf) if paying privately in similar circumstances.

I had fibroids which the consultant said were ok but obviously it depends where they are and how big they are etc what the risk is.

Thank you @Twickerhun mine are about 3cm by 3cm so they are considered small.

Have you been through the process ?

I had one fibroid which was 1-2cm, I'm not exactly sure where it was, I think it was a submucosal. No one could ever gave me a clear answer as to weather it affected fertility but everyone said it 'might' have. It was a very easy procedure and my period after the op was so much better and much less painful.

Kay I have a two year old upstairs in bed and a 2 month old sleeping on my shoulder as I type. Ivf worked well for us :) without it my husbands swimmers would never have found any eggs.

The chance of success with IUI is only 10-15% even with no male factor issues, with that morphology you will need ICSI rather than IVF so I would definitely go straight to ICSI

Aww that's good to hear it worked out for you @Twickerhun

@LillyLeaf that's really small sized. Mine is submucosal as well. It's always been a maybe it is affecting and maybe it isn't. My mum and sister has fibroids and had kids Ok with it so I'm really hoping for the latter

Thanks @Lauren83 yeah that makes sense. I researched the success rate and it's so low so not sure if it will be worth it. Also didn't want to go into ivf straight away without trying other avenues but the odds are looking that ivf straight away may be best

Thank you everyone for you input

In my experience most people considering IUI move to IVF when they weigh up the cost V the chance of success if they haven't already been ruled as unsuitable on the results of a semen analysis or tubal patency check, I work in an IVF clinic and it's only usually same sex couples or single ladies who tend to pursue IUI with donor sperm

My fertility clinic did advise to have it removed as they didn't want anything in the way for ivf but I do understand that most people don't even know they have them and have babies with no problems. Good luck

Thank you all for the replies. Will definitely consider just skipping IUI altogether and going for ivf

To give another point of view - I had 2 out of 5 successful IUI’s so I’m happy I didn’t go straight to IVF. IUI is such a simple process too, I know I was really lucky to have such a good experience but I think IUI is often dismissed too quickly.