Back to back IUI

[Marple03]

Im just after a failed IUI cycle. Largely unexplained sub/infertility. Clinic is saying to go again for another IUI... Aside from everything else, id like them to advise on dosages based on what happened last time. I'm not 100pc convinced that i wasn't overstimulated last time as my follicle was 15mm on day 8 last time... Anyway... Anyone have any thoughts on going straight into another IUI cycle or giving your system a break from stims. I was on 50iu gonal f and then a few days of cetrotide... Crinone gel once a day then...

Hi @Marple03. I did 4 medicated IUIs, using letrozole and gonal-f. Doesn't sound like you were overstimulated if you only got the 1 follicule (my clinic aimed for me to have 2 mature follicules each month). We did our cycles back to back, and I found that seemed to have a positive effect on number of follicules achieving each attempt (with same protocol each time). We didn't have any success though and moved on to IVF.

Hi @2mumlife
thanks for that info. The biggest follicle was 14 or 15mm... there were a bunch of other ones also, maybe 10. I had the scan on day8 and literally that evening I got a message to say go on to cetrotide immediately. I had felt a kind of ovulation sensation on that day too... I will ask them if it should be optimised anyway. Also, i felt pms type cramps in the first week after the IUI so Ive been wondering about the timing and whether it could be improved. Pretty drained and confused by the whole thing, even though it haven't even been thru much yet... :/

@Marple03 Its all a balancing act really, as they'll want to make sure not too many follicules are developing (because they wont want to risk a multiple pregnancy) and they also need to control timing of ovulation. I had some really big follicules during our IUIs and never stimmed for long. Ask for a review appointment to see if there are any changes needed. Best of luck on next cycle

They tend to alter your medication each time. I had 3 rounds and it was different every time. The first 2 there was a break, but the last 2 I did back to back. I was keen to get it over with by then as I knew it wasn't going to work for us. I don't think I could have managed 3 back to back though.

Yes, thanks @2mumlife @paintfairy for the info. It seems I'm going to be on the same meds again for this cycle...

New poster
I am just coming to the end (I think, I just have that feeling) of my third IUi cycle.
Feeling a bit frustrated with my body.
I'm unmedicated - they don't seem to think it's necessary.
I ovulated and they did the treatment. I had a progesterone blood draw on day 21 and my reading was 48. But now at 10dpo I have spotting.
Any advice would be helpful

Hey, sorry that you're not having any success. I'm in the middle of my second medicated iui. I can't comment on progesterone numbers but did they do any scan before the iui itself? I was medicated to fairly low degree... Got follicles of 17 and 18mm at day 9... Ask them plenty of questions. It's very hard when it's not working and there's no obvious explanation. 10 dpo could be implantation spotting tho??

Marple

Is this private or NHS?. I ask that question because some private treatment is poor as well as expensive.

Unexplained is no diagnosis at all; all this means is that they have failed to find out what is wrong. Sometimes it is a "diagnosis" given to couples when they as a couple have not been adequately investigated.
What tests have both of you had done to date, particularly within the last six months?. (Older test results should be discounted).

I would be also wondering about the effacacy of IUI here, why was this offered to you?. It may be worth your while now seeking a second opinion.

Im not based in the uk so it's private. I've had typical tests... Day 21 bloods, multiple internal scans, 2 early miscarriages (last one was 2019 tho) clotting check, semen analysis, defrag also on that. Had a fibroid removed. I had an mri to look at precise location of rest of fibroid (deemed to be not impinging into uterus). Had a HSG to look at tubes. Had bloods for AMH (normal for my age). I am however 37...

What things would you suggest i have checked now? I think there can be unexplained fertility issues... How do you explain someone getting pregnant naturally after years of IVF? No doctor would say that all aspects of fertility can be explained.