IUI help!! With my progesterone pessaries

[Mrsrmcc]

Had my second round of iui this lunch time however this time I’ve been put on progesterone pesseries But like an idiot I forgot to ask the nurse when I’m suppose to insert my first pessary and my clinic is now closed until Monday!! Would I insert the first one tonight or start them tomrorow night? I’ve tried googling but its no help and I’m pure panicking now I’m gonna fuck it up

Hi I also had my second round of IUI this month and was told to take them the evening of the IUI, which I did. I panicked myself by reading online about other people taking them a few days after to allow time for ovulation but then I contacted the clinic a couple of days later (after the weekend) who said I was fine to take them from the day of IUI. My progesterone blood test a week later (often known as the day 21 test) then came back to confirm that I had ovulated thankfully, even when talking into account the progesterone pessaries in the result (of course it was a higher level result).

So it shouldn't matter too much either way, my clinic said even missing a dose wouldn't matter too much - thankfully I've managed not to miss any, but it's reassuring.

Good luck!

Brilliant I’ll pop one up tonight. Thank you for your reply as well you’ve put my mind at ease I was about to ring gynaecology see if they could advise me 😂 I think I’m just so anxious for it to work this time I don’t want to ruin it in any way. Thank you xx how did you get on with your second round? Any luck?

@Mrsrmcc no worries at all, I was also stressing over it. Obviously I'm not a medical expert on it so can only give my experience and what I was told.

Were you told to wear a pad? I'd definitely advise it as there can be quite a bit of leakage. I'd definitely lie down for at least 30 mins if not longer too. The first couple of times I got some slight bleeding after but since then I haven't, just some white discharge from the pessary. Obviously it can mimic pregnancy too so I've had some nausea and bloating. But no particularly bad side effects thankfully!

So I'm due to test over the weekend (eek!). I can't test before 14 days as I had a trigger injection which contains HCG so could give a false positive for up to 14 days. Did you have the trigger shot? Not sure if it's always given but even though I do ovulate naturally my clinic give it as belts and braces to ensure ovulation.

I'm also very keen for success too. I find the whole process and tww very stressful and I feel very emotionally invested. I'm not sure what your situation is but my wife and I also have to pay, even though we're doing this on the NHS!

Oh amazing please update me!! I’ve got my fingers crossed for you xx yes she told me to wear a pair of period pants just to be on the safe side cos my body would only take as much progesterone as it needed the rest would leak out so deffo not looking forward to that lol. Yes I triggered yesterday because my biggest follicle had fluid round it which indicated ovulation was imminent So they didn’t want to miss it. I wish I’d had a couple more days of stims as I had a 2.3 follicle and a 1.5 I’d have liked a bit more time for the 1.5 to grow a bit more but it’s a tricky one, we’re on our second round of iui where they actually inseminated but I’ve technically had 3 cycles of it as my very first one I overstimulated so it got cancelled a couple days before insemination which I was gutted about! My husband had a really really good count this time though compared to last time (think he was nervous) so I’m slightly more hopeful this cycle. Yeah it really is emotionally draining add into the mix a fuck load of hormones it’s a wonder we can cope sometimes 😂 It’s shit you have to pay though i also have a friend who is same sex who had to pay and it pisses me off no end, luckily they were successful first time but I can imagine it’s quite stressful it being at the back of your mind that you have to pay each time it fails

@Mrsrmcc thank you! Yeah I'll try and update you 😊

What has taking the stims been like? My two cycles haven't been stimulated.

Yeah I feel like the trigger shot and progesterone have been enough hormones to be dealing with - to be fair I've definitely coped on them better than I was expected 😂

It's costing us £1200 for each cycle and we have to self fund 6 of those (so up to £7200) before we would qualify for a funded IVF and even then I think it would just be one funded and then back to us paying. We're very lucky that we can afford it but it definitely adds the pressure to each attempt 😅 supposedly the Government are pledging to make it fairer so same sex couples get funding but they've been saying it for ages and we didn't want to wait around for it to never actually come into effect!

Not too bad to be fair once you get used to injecting yourself it gets easier. I’ve just ate like a pig for the past couple of weeks and a bit emotional, I always compare it to the week before your period it’s that type of feeling 😂 and it just feels constantly heavy down there the longer I stim for. I don’t know how it works with unmedicated but I’ve been in hospital every day having scans to check the follicle growth. Do you think you’d try medicated if this cycle fails?

I hope they do especially in today’s times it’s ridiculous it’s taking this long. Did you have to pay for any investigations beforehand or did you go straight into treatment? We get 3 iui’s funded and 1 ivf funded then we have to start paying if they fail. Really don’t wanna get onto ivf it sounds even more challenging than iui. We’re both absolutely fine fertility wise literally nothing they could find so I’m just praying it never gets to ivf and the swimmers and eggs just needed a little helping hand 😆

Blimey that's a lot of appointments I think I'd struggle around work with them too often. I've had to go in 2-3 times each month on the lead up to ovulation for scans and the IUI. They've not said I'd need medicated but they did say if we have 3 failed attempts then we could consider changing the donor in case it's any 'compatibility issues'.

Thankfully as we're going through the nhs all of the tests were free, we just had to pay for the actual treatment. Thankfully all of my tests came back fine, apart from a fibroid which I already knew about but they said it shouldn't impact things as it's out of the way. Did you have the HSG dye test? That was painful but glad I did it.

Last month my cycle ended up being a bit on the shorter side (25 days) as I'm normally around 27 days. They didn't seem too concerned but mentioned the progesterone pessaries and I said I'll give anything a go that may help. The fertility nurse did say that they can work wonders, so we'll see! Still early days, some couples take a long time to conceive even with treatment don't they. Just so glad there are these options 😊

Yeah it can be a right ballache luckily both of us are self employed so it’s been ok for us to have the time off but I imagine some people find it difficult if they haven’t got an understanding boss. Oh I never thought about compatibility that’s great though that they give you that option to change, it gives you the best possible chance.

yeah HSG was vile luckily I’ve always used coils as contraception (the irony!!) so I kind of knew what to expect as coil fitting is a bit similar apart from the dye. It did knock me for six though my stomach was raging the whole afternoon but likewise glad It was all checked and flushed out. Kinda similar to me then I bled a week after insemination I’d convinced myself it was implant bleeding when it first started I was so gutted the next morning when it was just bright red I didn’t even cry just felt so shitty and sorry for us so straight away they said we’ll try the pessaries next time. Nurse said if i bleed early again this time they’ll double my progesterone dosage next time but it can get quite messy she said 😫Yeah it really is amazing what they can do these days!!

My manager is lovely and does know about it all, thankfully I don't have to make back time for them. But I am in a patient facing job so I have appointments booked in and hate the idea of cancelling them, thankfully I've been able to mostly predict roughly when I'll be likely to have appointments near ovulation and just make sure I don't book in too much around then. But it's still quite tricky.

It was so painful for me, I ended up feeling really sick and then fainting!! Luckily I was already lying down. The nurse said it happens more than you'd think. Still glad I did it though and know my tubes are open and all fine.

It's horrible isn't it I spotted on Christmas day and thought ooh maybe implantation bleeding but by boxing day it was full flow and ended up being a really heavy period. Now what I wanted over the festivities but there we go! Yeah so grateful for modern medicine!

Do you find anything helps with the tww at all?

Oh god that sounds awful I felt a little shaken after but no where near as bad as that. How do you find the insemination still quite painful? Also you know when you’ve had your pessaries these past couple weeks did you find your vagina was quite sore up there? My nurse said some women find it can get sore and we still have to have intercourse for the next week so I’m really praying it’s just an odd few women that do or that’s gonna be horrid. I’ve just woke up from my first night of inserting one and luckily not much has leaked out which shocked me I must’ve needed it all! 😆

Aw that’s rotten luck right over Christmas period too. I find evening time is the worst when your mind wants to think about the what could be’s so I’m currently re reading my favourite book series which is 8 books in total so a lot to get through and fully invested myself in love island this year to try and shut my mind up from thinking and I listen to an audiobook to fall to sleep or I’d literally just non stop think about it. Also booked myself a facial for a bit of relaxation half way through. Luckily not many people know about our situation and those that do know we dont like to discuss the outcome until it’s here so I haven’t got loads of people constantly asking “do you feel any different etc”. How about you? What’s your coping mechanisms 😂

@Mrsrmcc yeah I found it quite painful but I have a tilted uterus and my cervix likes to hide apparently so it takes a bit of wiggling the thing around yo find it 😅

A few times I've found it a bit sore (not too bad though) and other times it's been fine. Not sure if it's depended on how far I've pushed it up or just a coincidence.

Yeah I try to keep distracted with nice things like seeing friends and family but do feel like I end up counting down the days still.

Update from me, negative tests today (I thought I maybe saw a faint line on one but may have been line eyes). Also had some spotting this afternoon/evening so unless it's relatively late implantation bleeding (I'm around 12/13 DPO based on when the trigger shot was) then I think I'm out this time. I got spotting the day before my period last month, never usually do so not sure if the fertility hormones have impacted on it. Also didn't think I'd get spotting/a period on progesterone, I assumed it would start a few days after I stopped it if I had negative tests but we'll see! Feeling a bit annoyed/upset but only attempt 2 I guess, so if AF does start we'll have another attempt next cycle.

How are things with you?

ooh that does sound painful 😥 my uterus was tilted first time round the catheter came out all curly but this time it went straight up thank goodness.

oh no your joking I’m really praying for you that it’s just a bit of spotting and no period is on the way. My nurse also said that period will probably be delayed with the progesterone and to stop taking it if I got a negative test on testing day so I’m really praying for you that it’s just spotting and not a period ☹️. Are you gonna go straight onto it next week if it is a period? I’m not sure how it works with unmediated but once my period starts treatment begins within 4 days of it coming. Would you consider pushing for a change in donor sperm this next cycle?

yeah all good felt like utter shit yesterday like I was coming down with something, my bones were just so sore and I was so tired but got up this morning feeling relatively normal so dunno what that was about 😂

@Mrsrmcc another negative test this morning and more spotting. I did use a progesterone pessary last night just in case but I think from now on I'll stop them and await AF starting, which I assume is imminent in the coming days really.

So I'll go in for day 11 and 12 scans to check follicle development and ovulation timing and hopefully have another attempt at some point. I think we'll stick with the same donor for another month and then see. I have a feeling that it not working is on my end of things if I'm spotting even on progesterone pessaries (I.e. my levels are probably dropping and my lining is shedding). I'll see what they say maybe they'll up the progesterone dose as mine is 200mg once a day.

Oh no I hope you feel better soon! I'm also coming down with something, got a slight cough (which I thought was my asthma with the cold weather) but I've also woken up today with a bit of a sore throat. I think being stressed about everything and not sleeping too well has probably made me a bit run down.

I need to remember that it's still early days and 2 attempts is not many at all, especially even the low success rate statistics. Just got to see how things go!

Sending you lots of baby dust, keep me updated!!

Ah that’s annoying I’m sorry to hear 😔 hopefully next round they’ll up your dose (yay 😑) but at least you’re giving it everything you’ve got. How are you feeling a bit pissed off I assume?

yes that’s exactly me my chest has been quite tight and sore throat must be doing the rounds! Or like you say the stress 😅. And I’ve also read although not sure how true it really is but the more cycles you have the better the statistics get they reckon round 3-4 are the most successful so keep that in mind if you’re feeling shitty.
I think all the hormones and everything has hit me today I’ve just had a really hormonal, emotional day could've scratched my husbands eyes out this morning. Just crying at the stupidest stuff hoping it’ll settle down in the next few days or god help our household in the next 2 weeks 😆xx

@Mrsrmcc AF fully arrived late afternoon/evening as expected. Yeah I'm a bit disheartened about it all really but yeah the more attempts we have the odds go up, like you say the optimum is 3-4 attempts.

What dose are you on? I was only on 200mg once a day, so I didn't really get too hormonal with it (I'm just naturally anxious and a bit emotional and I didn't seem to increase that much compared to normal) but did get nausea.

Ah what a shame I feel sad for you 😪 onwards and upwards though. Postive thoughts xx

same on 200mg a day but have had 2 weeks of stims beforehand so I dunno if that’s contributing to it i just feel very overwhelmed all the time at the minute. I’m also very emotional and anxious too though so probably doesn’t help 😆 I’ve not had any nausea but a slight bit of cramping down there

@Mrsrmcc how are you getting on? Just had our 3rd IUI so I'll be back on progesterone again!

Oh I’m wishing you so much luck!!!! I’ll be thinking about you. Just started bleeding this morning which is shitty tested this morning and it was negative, as soon as I got to work I started bleeding! Typical. Just feeling really shitty about it you know how it is but will back in clinic next week stimming so fingers crossed for the next cycle. Got 1 more iui then onto ivf if it fails 😢. Let me know how you get on good luck sweet. Are they doing anything different this cycle for you or just exactly the same as last time?

x

@Mrsrmcc thank you!! Oh noooo, it's awful isn't it. Sending love your way. Fingers crossed for your next cycle!

Nothing new for this cycle, I didn't need stims etc. My follicles were actually bigger this time (last two cycles were one at 18mm, and then two at 17mm and 12mm), this time I have two, one at 21mm and one at 22mm I think it was. Wonder if that will give me a better chance, we'll see. My progesterone dose is the same at 200mg. I did ask if it needed to be upped as I bled last time but the nurse explained that they don't stop the period and bleeding after failed implantation is normal. So that was interesting as I thought they'd give me a higher dose but doesn't sound like I need it.

This cycle I'm just trying to relax a bit more. Like obviously this is a big deal but just trying to think more 'what will be will be' and be more excited about the overall process than each attempt (as I think I was putting too much pressure and expectation on each attempt). We'll see how long that laid back sort of approach lasts 😂

That sounds promising!! They usually stim me till minimum 2 so let’s hope this cycle is the one 🤞🏻 oh really I’m surprised at the progesterone I was also under that impression that it delayed period. That’s the reason they put me on it this time round as I bled too early last time she said it would stop my lining coming away so early. But it m a day early I shouldn’t bleed till tomrorow really so let’s see what they do next time round.

lol it’s so hard not to put yourself under pressure though especially when you want it so bad and it’s just not going how it should 😫. I’ve got high hopes for your next cycle though you’ve got 2 really good sized follicles to work with, my clinic told me anything under 1.8 is gonna struggle so those 2 big juicy follicles you’ve got are the perfect size 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

@Mrsrmcc really hoping so! I do wonder if naturally I would just mature and release one egg a month (like my first cycle) but maybe that the trigger shot, that I have to ensure ovulation definitely happens, encourages more to develop - I meant to ask them that today. As now two months in a row I've had two follicles growing (this month better than last) with no stims.

Yeah I was surprised too. I think maybe it can stop AF happening too early but if it's not a successful cycle then AF will turn up soon. How early were you before? My cycle is usually about 27 days but the first cycle I was 25 and then last month (with the progesterone) I was day 26 says. I wonder if the trigger injection has any impact on the cycle length. Or maybe being quite stressed about the process has shortened it. Who knows, I'm just going to relax as best as I can and take any opportunity to de-stress!

I’m so sorry I forgot to reply!! I forgot about the thread until I was googling. How did you get on any postive news??!! Xx please say yes 🙏🏼🙏🏼

@Mrsrmcc hey! Thanks for your message. Unfortunately our 3rd attempt didn't work. Going to try again in a couple of weeks with a different donor (as recommended by the clinic to see if it's any sort of compatibility issue).

How are you getting on? 😊

Oh I’m sorry 😢 hope you’re ok it’s a horrible feeling when it fails. Good plan of action though shaking things up a bit let’s hope for a better cycle this time round 🤞🏻. Did you bleed early of just negative test?

had a bit of an up and down cycle, last Friday I was on the way to overstimulating had 8 follicles in there but lowered dosage right down to 37.5 for the past week now I’m left with just 1 dominant follicle at 2.3. Wish there was a couple more in there but it’s out of my hands damn ovaries!! Triggered this morning, inseminating 8am tomorrow. Not feeling very hopeful about this cycle dunno why just gut feelings I suppose. We have our paperwork ready for ivf to start if this cycle fails but we’re away end of march/april and May so think it will probably be June time before we get started on it. Dreading ivf but at this point I’m willing to do anything! Xx

@Mrsrmcc I started spotting the day before test day and AF fully arrived on test day so didn't bother testing.

Oh that is stressful, well 2.3 is good so fingers crossed 🤞 for you!! Glad that you have the paperwork ready just in case. The time off in between may be good to relax. But fingers crossed you won't need it!

I think we have another 3 attempts before looking into IVF. So hopefully we'll have some luck 😊