Whats next?

[Anonymous]

3 years ago I got pregnant right away on clomid. We are now trying for #2 with clomid, but I'm starting the 3rd cycle and not very hopeful its going to work (my periods have remained longer than normal despite being on clomid, which makes me think its not "working"). My doctor takes a "wait and see" approach and has told me she would consider having me on clomid for a few more months. Most of the stuff I've read says after 3 months on clomid without any luck its time to try something else. My doctor has kind of skirted around the issue of the next step, instead saying to see what happens during cycle #3. So my question is, what is next? For anyone who didn't get pregnant after taking clomid, what was your next step and was it successful?

[Anonymous]

I tried Clomid. I ended up with cysts so I had to see an RE to monitor those and eventually do surgery to remove them (that is very rarely needed and it turns out I had endometriosis). After that the RE and another RE that I went to for a second opinion both recommend that we go straight to IVF. I think for most women though, the next recommended step is IUI -- either with clomid or injectibles. We were successful on our 4th IVF cycle (2nd fresh cycle after two FETs).

[Anonymous]

I would recommend seeing an RE- interview a few since it's close relationship for quite a while. I agree that after 3 clomid cycles- it seems it's better to move on- I also triedclomid and depending on your age- it may be best to stay away. Talk to your new RE

[Anonymous]

I did 5 cycles on clomid - four with my OB, then one "monitored" one (i.e., lots of bloodwork and u/s) with my RE. None worked. The next step for us was injectibles (follistim, but there are others),and I got pregnant the first cycle.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem you appear to have- long cycles. I did 3 cycles of Clomid and was told by my gyn that if Clomid didn't work in 3 cycles, it's not going to work I needed to move on to something else. Since it didn't work, he referred me to a RE. The RE also told me that doing more than 3 rounds of Clomid is a complete waste of time and suggested injectibles + IUI. That worked the first try.

Since you're not hopeful, round 3 is going to work, I'd go ahead and make an appt with an RE. You can always cancel if you need to, but they can take awhile to fit you in. My RE was Dr. Osborn at Shady Grove downtown. She came highly recommended by both my old gyn and a friend who is an OB/gyn. She was wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Agree with appt with RE - the next step depends on many factors and they can review history, tests etc. I was on Clomid for 5 months with OB and it was a big waste of time RE recommended IVF and pregant first trial.

Good luck!

[clarabow]

The big difference for OP, and probably why her physician is being conservative, is that clomid has worked for her in the past. Of course that doesn't mean it will work 3 years later, but it's a slightly different set of facts. Have any of your cycles been monitored, to see if your follicles are responding? Have you gone through that "morning after" test to see whether sperm are surviving? (Clomid can sometimes make for an unhospitable environment for spern for some reason). Be frank with your physician that you would like to get more aggressive, have him or her explain possible next protocols, and also do scour your insurance policy to make sure you understand the rules of what will be covered when. Sometimes insurance companies won't cover more aggressive procedures until lesser ones have been tried for a certain number of cycles. I think we needed to do 3 IUIs before we were covered for IVF, for example.

[Anonymous]

I did Clomid for I think 8 months with my general obgyn. Then went to a specialist and he did the injectables and I was pg in the first cycle.

How is your Dr. monitoring to make sure the Clomid is doing what it's supposed to do? Are they doing sonograms or blood tests to make sure you are ovulating and creating sacks or just relying on at home OPKs?