IUI 2022

[unCliche]

Anyone looking to pursue IUI treatment in the new year?

I'm currently on cycle 18 with unexplained infertility and waiting for my NHS IVF referral appointment in January. In the meantime DH and I are looking to do some IUI cycles privately while we wait.

I have my baseline scan and consultation with Create Fertility next week.

Hi ladies. I've recently been recommended for monitored cycles with clomid. Not quite IUI but she said the difference between timed intercourse and IUI is no different so there was no point in me paying for IUI.

I have to phone on the first day of my next cycle to get the ball rolling. Just wondered how many appointments etc you have when being monitored for first cycle of clomid? I need to figure out whether I tell my work or not - I don't want to but if it's going to be heaps of time I may need to.

Also, how did clomid make you all feel? I've been reading up on side effects and I'm a bit nervous. Especially with the mental health effects, because TTC is draining enough as it is!

Just for background, we have been TTC for 14 months and have had blood tests, SA, HSG and ultrasound. Everything is showing as perfect so been diagnosed with unexplained infertility. I've also been reading up on monitored cycles as I thought clomid was only for people who don't ovulate, but apparently not as it's used for unexplained infertility too. Anyone been in a similar situation?

Hey @BritInNZ I had clomid for 6 monitored cycles last year and I had scans from about CD 10 onwards on alternate days until ovulation was confirmed, so it just depends really on when you ovulate sometimes I was as late as CD21 🙈 so had 5 + scans some cycles! But if you usually ovulate around CD 14 hopefully will only be a couple each cycle.

I also had a progesterone blood test 7 days after ovulation was confirmed. Hope this helps with your planning, but I have found all clinics do things differently.

In regards to side effects I did find myself super emotional when taking it, I’d burst into tears randomly but it soon passed once I’d finished taking them. It also left me with a fluid filled sac on my R ovary which has been there since October last year! No one seems too concerned over it though but I was changed to letrozole for 2 cycles before moving into injectables.

Good luck with your medicated cycles 🤞🏼🤞🏼It works for you xx

@EmzieMurf1987 thanks so much. I usually ovulate from CD16-18 so it could be quite time consuming!! How did you manage it with work? I might say I'm having tests... I don't really want to tell people it's fertility related.

Was you unsuccessful? What's your next steps? That's what scares me - it's like one step closer to IVF which I really don't want to do 😭 xx

Hi @BritInNZ this month will be my 3rd consecutive IUI my first one ended was chemical in Feb second was straight away BFN not I am on my 3rd IUI today is my 4th day of cycle I am on letrozole mine is unmonitored no injectables natural IUI my doc is saying I don’t fit for protocol for stimulating my ovaries in IUI as I ovulate on my own regularly I might end up in multiples.
This will be my last IUI I already have my consultation for IVF in two days. If this doesn’t work we will straight away go ahead for IVF.

@BritInNZ this will be your first IUI where are you based of and what are your protocols. Unexplained fertility is worst. I also got also the tests done as you mentioned above and everything came back normal except a very little low motility which my husband worked on and it’s good now. I am so much positive for this last IUI praying this works.

Hey @Twittwoo2020 how are you hun? Hope you are doing absolutely well. Did you start with another round.

@BritInNZ I did tell my line manager and they have been great allowing me to change shifts at late notice which definitely helped take the stress off.

Unfortunately for me it was all BFN so moving onto IVF - I have my consult Friday so hoping to start soon! My manager even sent me an email stating that I am entitled to up 2 weeks paid leave when undergoing IVF treatment which I probably wouldn’t have known if I’d not said anything. But it’s a very personal thing to share so I suppose it depends on your work circumstances and whether you can juggle appointments without telling them what’s going on.

I totally get that IVF is daunting and scary! But many couples have fertility problems and it’s way more common than you would think it’s just no body talks about it!

Hope your first cycle goes well and please keep us updated I’m wishing you all the best 😘😘

@Nellie90 @Shrut89 @Twittwoo2020 so sorry to hear your last cycles were not successful it’s a frustrating and heartbreaking process and it never gets any easier. Thinking of u all and good luck if you guys are trying again xx

@EmzieMurf1987 thank you for your kind message ☺️. That's great that your work have been so understanding. I booked annual leave for the first go but might tell them for the next not to use all my holiday!

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on different medication offered? I don't want to take clomid again but was wondering what the other option are or to risk an unmedicated. I do always ovulate but obviously meds ups your chances as I had 2 follicles when they inseminated and without that would have been 1...

@Nellie90 I was planning on using annual leave for EC and transfers but now looks like a don’t have too 🎉🎉 may be worth reading your contract of employment to see if they have anything in there regarding fertility treatments. I’m lucky my manager found it for me 🥰

Maybe you could try letrozole instead? The only reason I was given injectables (gonal-f) was because I didn’t ovulate on letrozole and clomid didn’t agree with my ovaries 😂 if you are ovulating it’s unlikely they will try anything stronger as they don’t want to risk multiples! Maybe look into having a trigger shot - it ensures ovulation occurs and IUI is timed more precisely, hope this helps xx

Aw girls, I'm so sorry your last cycle didn't work out 😔

@Nellie90, just to iterate what EmzieMurf1987 said, you could try letrozole. I also ovulate every cycle but I was put on the lowest dose and still got two dominate follicles. Symptoms were also minimal.

@Shrut89 Keep us updated! Third time's the charm, I'm sure!

@Twittwoo2020 thinking of you lovely 💕

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I'll be starting IVF next week so hopefully we all get some good news in the coming weeks. Good luck!! 🍀

Hi everyone! Took a couple of days offline while waiting for AF to show up! I stopped all meds on friday and only got my bleed yesterday! Straight into a new cycle for me and started my letrozole today and have my scan next Tuesday, depending on how the follicles are growing i’ll then start my injectables before triggering, i didn’t need any injections last cycle apart from trigger shot as i had responded well to letrozole so hopefully will be the same this cycle.

Sorry to everyone else who’s had a BFN since i was last one, i hope you are all doing ok x

@Twittwoo2020 All the best with this cycle ❤️ sending continued strength your way. It's so tough when things don't work out but we're here to support you whenever you need. Take care and let us know how you get on 😘

Hi @unCliche I am so excited for your IVF cycle starting next week, I am so ready to hear the good news, I had my IVF consultation today my doc told me that she will be putting me on low dose and injectable as my ovarian reserve is high. We will be doing FET with PICSE. I will be starting my IVF journey in June if my this month IUI doesn’t work, I am just putting in all my prayers that my last IUI works but let’s see.

Hi @Twittwoo2020 all the best for your this cycle I hope and pray this is our month. Keeping you in my prayers.

@Shrut89 thank you! I'll be on low doses too! My AMH is pretty high so it's looking like I'll likely overstimulate and will need to have a freeze all cycle. So a May transfer and TWW for me. We'll be doing ICSI because we don't trust DH's sperm to behave 😁 glad to know you have some direction if the IUI doesn't work but I hope it doesn't come to that and you get your BFP sooner rather than later!

Hi @unCliche how are you doing hun, did you start taking the injectable for IVF, I ovulate this month in 11 day of my cycle so we had to cancel our IUI. How’s everyone doing, keeping you all in my prayers.

@Shrut89 Hey lovely! No way! That's so annoying. Do you usually ovulate early? I guess it's just one of those things. Will you try again to complete your 3rd IUI go or will you just move onto IVF next?

I'm doing good thanks, currently on CD2 so will be starting on Gonal-F tonight! I have my first scan on Friday too. I'm not really feel any emotions about it but I've just gotten another cat, who is so lovely, so he's keeping my super distracted right now.

Hi all, hope everyone is doing ok! @Shrut89 sorry that this cycle was cancelled for you!

I have my IUI tomorrow triggered this morning so fingers crossed, i have 1 leading follicle at 20mm. This is our last shot at IUI before moving to IVF so keeping everything crossed this cycle works for us.

Hi @unCliche woww another cat amazing the best way to be distracted by this little kitty. We will be doing our last IUI in may then moving to IVF in June. Hopefully we don’t have to do it. @Twittwoo2020 I wish you all the best for this IUI fingers crossed that this one works.

@Shrut89 glad you're giving the IUI one more shot. Will you do anything different next cycle?

On the train back from my CD4 scan. I have 14 follicles on my left ovary and 12 on my right ranging from 6mm to 10mm in size.

Also @Twittwoo2020 good luck with today! Looking forward to hearing how your TWW goes!

How's everyone getting on?

@unCliche !! OMG what is going on with mumsnet??!! I still can’t PM you I’ve been trying since last Tues!! Still not working now and I’ve been freaking out cause yr right in the thick of it and didn’t want you think I’m not thinking of you cause I am every day! So bit the bullet and posting on here to let you know I’ve been thinking of u!

how are you getting on? Must be nearly EC time? Awwwwww I’m so excited for u, really hope those follicles are progressing well 🤞🏼🤞🏼How are u feeling about everything? Really missing our chats xxx

@EmzieMurf1987 Hey lovely, mumsnet is completely bugging out! As nice as the new update looks, there's just so many things that isn't working!

Thank you for thinking of me!! I didn't forget you either! I even checked yesterday to see if maybe I was the one who forgot to reply, but it makes sense that the new update is causing issues! How are things with you? Has your next cycle started now?

Yesss! Omg it's finally happening!! EC is on Wednesday and I'll be triggering tonight! I feel physically, emotionally and mentally fine - it's been a bit anticlimactic if I'm honest 😂 Started off a bit concerned that my follicles weren't progressing, but I think starting the dose low really helped keep my E2 levels in check so no overstimulation, which means a fresh transfer is very possible!
I'm pleased with my follicle count. Although I did start off with 30 follicles seen, I now have 12 > 10mm with seven of those > 17mm so at a minimum I'll get 7 eggs but could also get double that. I have a feeling I'll get between 10 and 15. I can't wait to find out! I'm not too annoyed that I didn't get the max amount of follicles possibles, because quality over quantity and my E2 hasn't spiralled out of control so it'll make for a much healthier transfer. I'll defo be in touch with an update on Wednesday! Take care of yourself my love and we'll speak soon 😘

Please let us know how it went @unCliche . I am so excited for you I will be taking a lot of tips from you in future.
@Twittwoo2020 how are you hun? How’s going?