Secondary Infertility - What to do next?

[SoConfusedLady]

Hello!

Here I am after reading posts for months and months .... This is my story and I am so so confused as to what avenue to take next.

Long, long time ago I was told I had PCOs. Nonetheless I managed to concieve on second month of trying my DD over two years ago. I was surprised as I thought I would be in this position but 3 years ago ...

Earlier this year in March I sadly had a misscarriage at 6 weeks after two months of trying. We were very sad but thought that once again it’d happen pretty quickly again. Guess what ..... 8 months later, here I am waiting and praying every month. I’ve done it all, OPK, fertility gels, progesterone, metformin, etc. A couple of months ago we went to a private fertility clinic (I don’t get NHS funding now) and my husband and I both had the load of tests. They didn’t even find my PCOs anymore and my ovarian reserve was as normal as it’d be for any other woman .... My husband’s SA was also fine.

We considered taking clomid, but we’re scared that if I’m ovulating as I have been told, it would just be the wrong approach. I spoke to a counsultant about UIU but was told that in my case (as I ovulate already apparently) the increase of success is about 5% only, which isn’t a lot for a ~£1,000/cycle of treatment.

I am desperate to give my DD a sibling as I am terrified she’d be very lonely once we’re gone as we don’t have a big family around us at all (yes, I am being overy reactive here!).

I feel my life is on a stop just waiting two weeks to try, two weeks wait. Sadly this is how it has become. I should go back to work, but every month I wonder how about if I am pregnant this month?!

Are we just left with IVF or just trying naturally who knows until when if ever? I am worried that the IVF success rate isn’t as high either?

What would people have done or would do in my situation? :)

Thanks all.
(I am 37 years old btw)

8 months ttc at 37 isn’t actually that long.

Do you have confidence in the clinic you saw and their advice?

I know it's not at all helpful and I hate it when people say it to me, but 8 months isn't long although I know it feels like an eternity.

Sorry that posted too soon before I'd finished!

I'm 33 and we've been trying 16 months now for #2 and it's all consuming. I know from mid 30s things start to get a bit harder but don't write yourself off just yet xxx

As others have said, 8 months is actually not very long at all. I’ve been ttc for two years with unexplained secondary infertility with zero pregnancies and my fertility consultant told me that 2 years is about average. He said that 50% of couples with no known issues will conceive within 1 year and 90% within 2 years. I guess I’m in the 10% unlucky ones lol. He’s also said clomid and IUI are both pointless for unexplained infertility and IVF is the best option. Unfortunately like you, I’m not entitled to any NHS help so I’m at the end of the road as I can not afford to pay for it. I would wait a little longer before considering any invasive procedures like IVF. Good luck

It’s very possible you didn’t have pcos when you were younger but pco (ie ovaries with cysts but not the disorder). That would explain why you were able to conceive so easily before and why it seems to have disappeared now. As it’s unexplained I suggest just keep going and maybe explore ways to improve egg quality.

Thanks for all the messages. They have made me feel less anxious about my situation.

The egg quality suggestion sounds very interesting. How can egg quality be increased? Has that been your personal experience ?

Cheers! x