IUI Experience?

[moosey89]

Does anyone have experiences of IUI they'd be willing to share? I read a lot about IVF on here but not a lot about IUI. Thank you!

I have experience of IUI but not positive unfortunately. We did 6 cycles of iui (first and last ended in chemical pregnancy) before moving onto ivf which worked first time. My clinic were the worst though and they stopped doing the trigger shot and would make you track your ovulation at home before going in. They also didn’t offer any drugs to assist which they originally said they would if the 3rd try was not successful. If you have a good clinic it might be better but chances of it working are only 5-15% per cycle which is a 85-95% chance it won’t work!

@noaddedsugarx thanks for commenting - I've heard it doesn't have a super high success rate. I was wondering if I might have a slightly higher chance of it working, as the reason we're looking to go down that route is that my partner struggles to ejaculate from sex making it kind of difficult to manage at home (we've been doing home artificial insemination). Really pleased to hear your IVF worked first time though, I've always said I don't think I could cope with IVF but the closer I get to going down the assisted conception route the more I'm thinking I'd be willing to try x

I have done two cycles of IUI - going into third. We chose not to do any medication or letrozole in the first 2 so I knew chances were less. Going into medicated cycles now, lets see how it goes ! Not so keen to go down the IVF route but giving ourself time till December to decide.

@bstrong0805 can I ask how far apart each IUI cycle is? Can you go straight from one into the next? Also, how many does the NHS fund, or are you going private? Sorry for all the questions, just heading into this next step on the journey so trying to gather as much information about people's experiences as possible x

We went private as this is for my second child - so we dont qualify on NHS. Also, yes we went directly from one cycle to another, thinking of doing 3 or 4 before we revaluate.

@moosey89 it’s possible! although we did iui with donor sperm (same sex couple) so there was no male factor or anything like that. I do think we were very unlucky with it though and a lot of it is a game of luck. I know other couples that have done it and got pregnant first time. It does happen!

Ivf is hard. My partner did it first and now I’m pregnant with our second child conceived via ivf and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go through but obviously it’s worth it for the end goal. There’s tons of support on the threads on here too if you’re finding things a bit tough or just need people to talk to going through the same thing 😊

You can go from one iui cycle to another unless you have a chemical pregnancy/miscarriage then I think you have to wait. Good luck with whatever you decide! ❤️

Thanks @noaddedsugarx really useful information 😊I'm hoping that I don't end up with IVF being the only option for a pregnancy, but I just want to prepare myself as much as possible in case that is what happens (I'm a planner! Hard when it's something you don't really have control over). We're still trying naturally-ish (home insemination) in the meantime, and my GP has ordered all the tests that we'd need to get a referral to the fertility clinic so it feels like we're doing all we can anyway x

Thanks @bstrong0805 - I'll have everything crossed you get your BFP soon x

I did 3 IUIs, back to back and unfortunately they were not successful. I thought being single with no known issues and it being donor sperm it would work but it truly is luck and a very low success rate.

I recently did my first IVF cycle and actually found that more manageable and less emotionally taxing than the IUIs. IUIs it's alot down to you so doing LH, possibly multiple times a day if you have a quick surge, limiting your water drinking etc.

If I could do the fertility stuff again I wouldn't waste the time or money on IUIs.

Although my fresh transfer was unsuccessful I have 2 frozen embryos and it has given me reassurance that my eggs are still of okay quality.

Good luck

@moosey89 it may be worth looking at mild IVF rather than full on IVF, I was very much like you and don't think I would be able to handle all the meds etc and can genuinely say once used to doing my injections it was fine, it felt like I had more control and you could see things working with the scans etc.

Make sure the clinic you are with are supportive, read reviews. My first clinic I didn't feel were great at all, my current clinic are fabulous and always willing to do what they can to help

@ttcsolomumtobe thank you, really appreciate hearing your experience. It's so hard because it feels like I shouldn't have to go through IVF, you know? At least not yet. But I'm starting to get a bit nervous of age and how long we will try for unsuccessfully potentially now. I know I have to be under 38 for IVF where I am on the NHS, and I have time but always want to prepare for worst case scenario! I never imagined growing up I'd be in a situation where I had to really work to get pregnant but now I'm here I just want to make it work.

What is mild IVF? Interesting that you ended up being all ok with the injections etc, that's the bit that really makes me feel anxious about it x

Hi,

I'm currently going through IUI treatments and have been since late January. Went through 5 cycles so far, but only had one 'completed' cycle with the actual IUI.

I'm 30, been TTC for 2.5 years now. DH results all above average and mine are perfect too. I do have one blocked tube however, so they believe this to be our issue conceiving.

It's quite emotionally and physically taxing tbh. First cycle we tried clomid and injections - resulted in my blocked side responding and too many follicles and too thin a lining.

2nd cycle we went for injections only, but I ovulated myself apparently.

3rd cycle was similar. 4th cycle we managed to see through to the end but I only had one follicle and it didn't work 😂

5th was abandoned too then had two cycles off over summer.

Now on my 6th cycle with injections. Was in on Friday for my scan but I haven't responded how they would have liked, so more injections this weekend and a scan on Monday - fingers crossed.

I feel very stuck in limbo. We don't want to throw away our 3 cycles of IUI and move straight to IVF just yet, but the The constant let down each month is taking its toll. Never realised it would be so difficult.

@moosey89 hey! Just stumbled across this. I had a successful IUI pregnancy after 3 attempts. It does seem a little pot luck sometimes but I think it's worth a go personally as it's much much much less invasive and very easy to manage appointment wise. I didn't tell my work or family and managed it. Feel free to shout if you have any questions! 😊

@HollyLondoner thank you 😊

We unfortunately just had another miscarriage a week ago, so my major worry now is to go through any medical assistance with conception as I don't seem to be able to stay pregnant once I get to that point! It's miserable as it takes us a relatively long time to conceive so we've been advised to seek help but yeah, vicious circle.

Given my partner's issues (no ejaculations 9/10 times when we have sex) I'm still interested in IUI as it feels like a step up from the home artificial insemination we currently do. Can I ask if you went private or was it on the NHS? We have a fertility clinic referral in so hoping to be seen by the end of the year on the NHS anyway.

@moosey89 I'm really sorry to hear that ❤️. I don't know the ins and outs but I know there's specific fertility treatment to assist with miscarriages ie helping maintain the pregnancy to full term so it's worth asking what's best for you.

I'm in a same sex couple so we don't get any NHS help, just needed the sperm so we paid privately. My wife did 3 rounds of IUI which weren't successful and I was successful on the 3rd. I tried unmedicated at first but the one that works was with clomid.

I've heard that in a lot of places they send you got IUI first and then move you on to IVF if needed. However if you get the option of 3 IUIs or one IVF, I would have been tempted to go for one IVF and hope you get a few embryos. Definitely worth asking though 😊