IUI or IVF help!

[1940s]

Secondary unexplained infertility. I can't keep relentlessly trying it's breaking my heart.

Will have full final consultation with my private fertility Dr.

But ultimately I feel the decision is in my hands.

Pull out the big guns and go for IVF? Or try at least one round of IUI?

Anyone faced a similar decision?

The fertility clinic is keen for us to do one or the other. I just had a submucosal fibroid removed so I'm tempted to try naturally again when I'm healed, if only for a few months. Then it would be iui or IVF.

I think iui has about 10% success and IVF 20-25 per cycle right? I was quoted £500 for iui. I'm half tempted to try it, given £500 isn't loads and loads of money. IVF would be more like £3,500 with even a cheap provider like ABC. I guess it depends if you could afford a couple of goes of iui, then to do IVF too if it fails. You may also want to consider that you could need more than one round of IVF.

I'm in a fortunate position that we can probably do 3 rounds of IVF before we would have to really consider the financial side of things.

My emotions tell me I've waited and been tortured long enough and if I can afford the higher percentage then why not?

Also it's time out of MY working day to keep going flr scans etc. So I can't from a time perspective do multiple IUI's and then do IVF anyway.

What true benefit will IUI give me if we've been having properly timed sex anyway? With no other fertility issues (hence secondary unexplained infertility)

With IUI I think they clean the sperm up to make sure it's only the good quality ones with no poor quality getting in the way and it gets put into your womb so it gets a headstart I guess.

Time is also a consideration. I live almost opposite my clinic and am WFH so easy to get to. I can't have iui for another 2-3 months anyway so haven't checked costs fully.

It sounds like you've got a good idea of what you'd prefer. I guess iui might be lighter on your body too, but with a 10% chance you're likely to need IVF anyway

Thanks, hard decision:(

Hi

I also have secondary infertility, it's horrible. My consultant recommended 2 to 3 cycles of IUI before going further. My first one in December failed sadly. This month itls a natural try and if this doesn't work I'm ready for IUI with injectables starting next week.

We have been not preventing as opposed to trying, so our consultant says we should still try naturally but I so want a sibling for my LO. So I think I'll push for IVF if this doesn't work.

Wishing you all the best in your journey x

Thanks so much.

It's such a shitter isn't it. We have had regular and specific sex for a year now, OPKs from day one and checking temperatures to suss that I do ovulate (as much as that can be used as an indicator)

I may be persuaded to do one IUI to give my body the most lightweight option. But I can't do 3 months of that and then IVF as it will be 4 months (at least!) of back and forth s to central London which is very timely for me.

I can't believe we're experiencing this

How old are you OP? IUI tends to be popular with younger people (who have time on their side to try lower success treatment options), or lesbian couples/single women who can't try "naturally". While even medicated IUI is a lot easier on the body (much, much lower drug doses and obviously no egg collection/sedation), I think it typically takes about 3 tries at IUI to match the success stats of 1 IVF.

I'm 'young' but desperate for a sibling for my LO. Hence not really being keen on methods with lower chances even if they're easier on the body.