Is clomid the right next step?

[2021babyhope]

Just a bit unsure - we don't really have a choice but I'm concerned it's not going to do anything? So far all my tests have come back normal so I'm ovulating and all my hormones are fine. Husband is all okay too so I'm not sure how 6 months of clomid will help us? But I've been told we have to before being put forward for IVF. We're both 30 and been trying since Oct 19 with no pregnancy at all.

Any advice?

Hi, I don't have advice sorry as I have bloods on Mon to confirm if I am ovulating or not. I think I am as I have used ovulation sticks in the past but they want to confirm for sure.

I have been worrying about the same outcome so understand your frustration. Have you started taking clomid yet?

Is this a private fertility clinic or a NHS unit that has advised you of these courses of action. Clomid is not recommended if there is definitive proof of ovulation.

What tests have been performed for both of you during the last 6 months(test results older than this should be discounted).

I would certainly seek a second opinion also as its a massive jump between clomid and IVF. You also need to ensure as a couple you have been adequately investigated; you seemingly have no diagnosis of the underlying issues.

I'd always caution using clomid if already ovulating. I'm not a doctor. Clomid caused me to grow a significant fibroid (4cm in 6 cycles of clomid) that I didn't have previous and would rather not have!! That said, the fibroid didn't stop ivf from working for me nor did it stop a (later) very very surprise pregnancy!

The point of clomid is to make you ovulate. If you already ovulate, you don't need clomid!

Thank you for all your advice, it seems my concern wasn't crazy! I might look at getting a private consultation to see what they think as at the moment it's unexplained which I know is what people say they call it when they just don't know. And I'd rather not take medication without needing it!

Hi I've just started clomid. I had irregular cycles and no ovulation. However through lifestyle changes I did get shorter cycles and ovulated for last 4 cycles.

I asked if I needed clomid still but NHS consultant said that cos I was irregular then she wanted me on clomid. I did private also which said clomid.

I still find it confusing. It seems next step would be ivf, no other options suggested part from 'time'

I was in a similar position. I think the consultation prescribed it me as a bit of a “shut up” before IVF. It never worked. I ended up with ovarian cysts which myself and other medical professionals thought was due to the Clomid. It made me feel shitty and if l had my time again then l wouldn’t take it

@WhatKatyDidNxt that's how I feel. Like it's a tick box to spend another 6 months trying before IVF.

I want to trust them but there's just no real explanation as to why it will actually help us if there's nothing seemingly wrong.

And I'm quite concerned about the side effects.

@2021babyhope that’s very much my feeling around it. There haven’t been any doubts about my ovulation. We tried it because l was desperate but it was a big waste of time plus they couldn’t be bothered monitoring me. Would you be getting any monitoring?

@WhatKatyDidNxt he didn't mention any. In all honesty we were in and out of our consultation within 15 mins. Booked me for a HSG (which went terribly and I'm now waiting for a laparoscopy) and said we'd try 6 months of clomid and then do IVF. Said my husband could do another SA if he wanted.

Just have absolutely no faith in that they're really trying to help and instead just pushing us through a system to get us out again.

Very strongly considering starting again privately but don't feel we should have to!

Have you been booked for IVF now?

Yeah we had IVF via the NHS, they paid for it at a private clinic as the NHS don’t do IVF themselves in my area. It was only 1 round and didn’t work. The clinic were crap, it was a total failure; l felt unwell and we just created a load of abnormal embryos. Low light being a ruptured ovarian cyst a few weeks after it failed, l never had ovarian cysts before fertility drugs

We are going to have one last go at another clinic. We don’t think due diligence was done by the NHS or the last clinic. I have done a world of research and other tests suggested by that research have given us more of a handle on our issues. Another tip is get them to explain why they’re doing it a certain protocol, rather than them giving you the bog standard plan and hoping for the best

Hi Op, you seem to have a similar story to me. Been trying for two years with no luck at all. All tests are fine so it's 'unexplained infertility'. I was given a three month course of letrozole (alternative to clomid) and it made no difference whatsoever as I was already ovulating. When I spoke to the nhs (I'm currently going private) they said they don't normally supply clomid or letrozole to people who ovulate regularly anyway as it's a waste of time. I didn't have any side effects but I would recommend bypassing clomid if you can!