newbie clomid versus IUI question

[Anonymous]

I have been TTC for four months now and am 38. I will have my 21 day cycle blood work and day 3 FSH tests this month and my OB said we could try clomid next. My question is (and I didn't think to ask him but will), why not jump to IUI? From the reading I've done (limited, I admit) and the posts on this site, it seems like there has been quite a bit of success with IUI versus clomid. Time is of the essence..!

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Instead of going to either IUI or Clomid, I would recommend going to a Reproductive Endocrinologist for a work-up. At 38, time is of the essence. IUI and Clomid are treatments for totally different causes of difficulty conceiving. IUI addresses sperm issues and some very particular women's issues (cervical fluid problems, etc.). Clomid addresses issues with respect to annovulatory cycles (women who are not ovulating on their own). Don't waste time sorting through this with your OB - go to an RE and get yourself and your partner evaluated to see what next steps should be. GL!

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. You cannot suggest a solution until you know what the problem is. Also, while it feels like a long time to you, 4 months of TTC is not even enough time to prove that there is a problem. Have you been charting? Has your DH had his sperm analyzed?

[Anonymous]

I agree with 11:55. I would go to an RE and do all the work-up. Clomid is a serious medication with side-effects some of which are serious, you should not be taking it unless you need it. Also, when you take Clomid it's best to have your cycle monitored with ultrasound and blood work to make sure Clomid is working and you are not getting the undesirable side-effects. An RE can monitor your cycle much better than an OB/GYN. Clomid is usually given to women who don't ovulate or don't ovulate regularly, usually those women have irregular cycles. Are your cycles regular? If so, you might not need Clomid. Also, there is no point for you to be taking any medication if the issue is coming from your DH and not you. DH should do a semen analysis to make sure the issue is not coming from him.