How many Clomid/timed intercourse cycles before getting pregnant or moving on to IUI/IVF?

[Anonymous]

I am about to start cycle 3 of Clomid and TI. A couple of questions:

1) If you got pregnant from Clomid & TI, how many cycles did it take?
2) How many Clomid/TI cycles did you go through before trying IUI or IVF?

[Anonymous]

5 before moving on to IUI. I should have stopped at 3.

[Anonymous]

I only did Clomid + IUI before IVF, but keep in mind that there is a lifetime limit on Clomid cycles.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the replies so far.

Aside from counting it toward the lifetime limit, I'm not really worried about my first cycle not working. The dose wasn't high enough and things were wonky. So really we have only had one good try. I think I will give it 1-2 more times before moving on to something else.

So far I have been living my life normally -- exercising, eating mostly well with the usual indulgences, including alcohol. What changes did all of you make while TTC? Do you think they increased your chances?

[Anonymous]

Not to be a downer, but with unexplained IF, my RE quoted me 15% per cycle odds with Clomid + IUI in my early 30s. He said it was even lower with TI. I would hate to use up my lifetime max on TI only.

[Anonymous]

If there are issues, the stress and fatigue (from the rx hormones) of TTC can really start to take its toll as months go by. In our case we did 2 IUIs before success on our first IVF try. At the time I wanted to ease into things. Especially since we conceived DC1 w/o assistance. Later I wished we had just skipped the IUIs.
I'm sure your doctor is telling you the odds of success with what you're trying, in consideration of your medical needs.

[Anonymous]

4 cycles for my first.
1 cycle for my second.

Both IUI. No TI prior.

[Anonymous]

OP again. My issue is that I have PCOS. No other issues yet, that I am aware of.

If we have 1-2 more cycles of unsuccessful Clomid + TI, may just move on to IVF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies so far.

Aside from counting it toward the lifetime limit, I'm not really worried about my first cycle not working. The dose wasn't high enough and things were wonky. So really we have only had one good try. I think I will give it 1-2 more times before moving on to something else.

So far I have been living my life normally -- exercising, eating mostly well with the usual indulgences, including alcohol. What changes did all of you make while TTC? Do you think they increased your chances?

13:04 here ... I didn't take the life time limit into account and found out after my second IUI that my insurance counted clomid with monitoring as one of six lifetime cycles. They told me over the phone clomid cycles with TI wouldn't count against me but that person was wrong apparently. If you think you might do an IUI with injectables cycle, I'd try not to eat into your coverage.

I too kept going because first we tried a new dose, then we tried to see if progesterone would help with the lining issues I was having (which luckily turned out to be FROM clomid and not just me). But after one or two cycles where you get it pretty much right, I think it's good to move on if things aren't working. (Though, you didn't mention your age which might play a role. I was 35 during my clomid year and the RE felt I had time ... but to me now being 36.5 and still at this game ... I feel time just escaped)

In terms of lifestyle, I changed nothing during clomid cycles. During IUI with injectables I cut down on exercise a good bit (an obsessive runner and felt I had to give it a try). During IVF I really listened to my body and ran only until I was tired and then tried to back off (so 6 miles versus 9 for example) and during my TWWs (like now) NOTHING. For me, I don't know if it's helped but once I decreased miles I did see health benefits. Not drinking other than sips here and there during IVF cycles but doubt a glass of wine would make any difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. My issue is that I have PCOS. No other issues yet, that I am aware of.

If we have 1-2 more cycles of unsuccessful Clomid + TI, may just move on to IVF.

Make sure your insurance doesn't require IUI before IVF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only did Clomid + IUI before IVF, but keep in mind that there is a lifetime limit on Clomid cycles.

Sorry, I should clarify that I meant lifetime limit on Clomid for health reasons not insurance reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only did Clomid + IUI before IVF, but keep in mind that there is a lifetime limit on Clomid cycles.

what is the lifetime limit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I only did Clomid + IUI before IVF, but keep in mind that there is a lifetime limit on Clomid cycles.

what is the lifetime limit?

My RE said 5-6. I did 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I only did Clomid + IUI before IVF, but keep in mind that there is a lifetime limit on Clomid cycles.

what is the lifetime limit?

My RE said 5-6. I did 5.

I did a total of 6 cycles and never heard of a lifetime limit

[Anonymous]

I've done one Clomid with IUI cycle - Paid out of pocket.

I'm changing insurance next month which will cover up to 6 IUI cycles. I plan on going back into cycle next month and upping the meds to include injectables. I will probably max out the 6 IUI's (while getting more aggressive on meds) before moving on to IVF.