IUI-- did you do it. Did you succeed. Why do people do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IUI worked for us. PCOS.

Likewise. No formal PCOS diagnosis because my hormone levels were all normal, but I had long cycles and ovulated late, usually day 23 or later. Knew I got pregnant easily because I got pregnant with kid #1 naturally on second timed try, then got pregnant 3 more times in the course of one year but miscarried them all. Letrozole, trigger shot, plus IUI worked on the first try for my second kid (fifth pregnancy).

[Anonymous]

We did 3 IUIs while waiting to switch insurances to one with IVF coverage. None worked, and first round of IVF was also a bust.

[Anonymous]

Unexplained infertility for me in my late 20s. Everything looked fine, but I had not conceived after trying for one year.

I got pregnant on the 5th try with IUI. The 5th one was different from the first 4 because: 1) my clomid dose was a quarter of the previous doses(I was incredibly sensitive to clomid and would ovulate 8 eggs on every try, and 2) they used some kind of curved/not frequently used catheter; I can't remember why.

[Anonymous]

We’d been trying for over a year and I was 37 and unexplained. My numbers were good, his numbers were good. 3rd IUI with clomid/ovidrel worked for us even though EVERYONE told us to move on to IVF because of my age (was about to turn 38) and the first two failed attempts (even our RE). We would have had to pay oop for IVF so I’m really glad we gave the third IUI a try. 36 weeks now.

[Anonymous]

3rd IUI worked - protocol was femara and trigger shot. I trusted my RE immensely and he was confident IUI would work for us, even though I wanted to move on to IVF bc I was just so tired of not having success (we did 5 rounds of clomid+timed intercourse before the IUIs). You can drive yourself crazy listening to all of the IUI success stories and all of the people who endured multiple IUIs and ultimately had to move on to IVF. Have an open convo with your RE about your chances with IUI and why he/she wants you to give it a try, be honest about your hesitation and worries, and trust their ultimate recommendation.

[Anonymous]

I did a medicated IUI when I was 35. I was diagnosed with DOR (.6 AMH) and my dr at Shady Grove suggested we try IUI before going to IVF. We did 100 mcg Clomid for 5 days, followed by 3 days of Gonal-F injections, followed by an Ovidrel trigger and the IUI procedure 36 hours later.

I got pregnant on the first try and now have a toddler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did a medicated IUI when I was 35. I was diagnosed with DOR (.6 AMH) and my dr at Shady Grove suggested we try IUI before going to IVF. We did 100 mcg Clomid for 5 days, followed by 3 days of Gonal-F injections, followed by an Ovidrel trigger and the IUI procedure 36 hours later.

I got pregnant on the first try and now have a toddler.

Interesting, I had the same stats and was 37 when I did IUIs with the same protocol (DOR). None worked for me and I'm still struggling with secondary infertility (TTC for 3 years).

[Anonymous]

In my opinion single women working with donor sperm (especially if you are on the older side) should not waste time and $$ on multiple IUIs. The sperm itself costs upwards of $1,000 per try. Some clinics like SGF ask you to keep backup in case there is a thawing problem. In the end, I spent more than the cost of a round of IVF on 3 IUIs that didnt work. IVF yields a much better chance for success.

I also think hands off monitoring can make an IUI a wasted attempt. At SGF I was instructed to use at-home pee sticks to see if I was close to ovulating; this can easily lead to a mis-timed procedure. I would ask for a blood test to track ovulation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did a medicated IUI when I was 35. I was diagnosed with DOR (.6 AMH) and my dr at Shady Grove suggested we try IUI before going to IVF. We did 100 mcg Clomid for 5 days, followed by 3 days of Gonal-F injections, followed by an Ovidrel trigger and the IUI procedure 36 hours later.

I got pregnant on the first try and now have a toddler.

Interesting, I had the same stats and was 37 when I did IUIs with the same protocol (DOR). None worked for me and I'm still struggling with secondary infertility (TTC for 3 years).

Two years can make a big difference in fertility

[Anonymous]

Side note: how do doctors avoid the high order multiples that can happen with IUI? Like how the heck did the doctor allow this woman to proceed with trigger? (quintuplets)

http://people.com/human-interest/couple-pregnant-quintuplets-struggling-conceive/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unexplained infertility for me in my late 20s. Everything looked fine, but I had not conceived after trying for one year.

I got pregnant on the 5th try with IUI. The 5th one was different from the first 4 because: 1) my clomid dose was a quarter of the previous doses(I was incredibly sensitive to clomid and would ovulate 8 eggs on every try, and 2) they used some kind of curved/not frequently used catheter; I can't remember why.

wow, did they let you go forward with IUI when you had 8 eggs? and did you skip months between your IUIs?

[Anonymous]

I did it for my first. Worked on the 3rd try. First two trys, I just used clomid. Third try, I did injectables.

I did it because it's way less invasive. And cheaper. I was prepared to move on to IVF after three rounds.

For my second, I went straight to IVF and did all single embryo transfers because I didn't want to risk multiples. Which ended up being a very arduous process, but ultimately worked out for me and I have no regrets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did a medicated IUI when I was 35. I was diagnosed with DOR (.6 AMH) and my dr at Shady Grove suggested we try IUI before going to IVF. We did 100 mcg Clomid for 5 days, followed by 3 days of Gonal-F injections, followed by an Ovidrel trigger and the IUI procedure 36 hours later.

I got pregnant on the first try and now have a toddler.

Interesting, I had the same stats and was 37 when I did IUIs with the same protocol (DOR). None worked for me and I'm still struggling with secondary infertility (TTC for 3 years).

PP, my RE was not super optimistic about the IUI and said it was only about a 10% chance of success with my numbers. I just happened to respond really well to the meds and overall I think it was in large part pure luck. Wishing you the best of luck in your future treatments.

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant on two out of my three IUIs (had an early miscarriage on the first one). 35 at the time, unexplained infertility, with Letrozole/Femara. I have also heard what PP said about how that if it's going to work, it'll work in the first 3 times.

Be forewarned, the second time I got pregnant, it was twins (despite monitoring - they thought there was only one egg...). They're about to turn two. So, there's that risk with IUI, which I preach loudly to all who will listen!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got pregnant on two out of my three IUIs (had an early miscarriage on the first one). 35 at the time, unexplained infertility, with Letrozole/Femara. I have also heard what PP said about how that if it's going to work, it'll work in the first 3 times.

Be forewarned, the second time I got pregnant, it was twins (despite monitoring - they thought there was only one egg...). They're about to turn two. So, there's that risk with IUI, which I preach loudly to all who will listen!

A PP here for whom it worked on the first try, for our second kid. Twins was DH's big fear. We wanted two kids, not three, and he was pretty adamant. He was close to demanding that I agree to reduce if it was twins. I couldn't make that promise and fortunately did not need to. The RE agreed it was a concern, thought it was slightly less of a risk with letrozole versus Clomid. She put the risk at about 10%. Anecdotally it seems higher.

I must say, having done IUI and seriously considered IVF, IUI is far, far, far less invasive and time-consuming. I can see why some insurance plans mandate it.