How many OI's before IVF?

Hi there,

Just wondered if anyone could help me...

I have PCOS and anovulation. I have had success with FSH ovulation induction and conceived my DS that way. Have been trying for another one for 12/13 months and am on cycle 6 of FSH, 3 negative, one cancelled due to overstimulation, and 1 chemical pregnancy.

My question is, how many cycles should I/will they let me do, before thinking about IVF? Do I just keep plugging away until it works (hopefully) or at some point do you think the clinic will want to do IVF? The last year has been tough and mentally I feel as if I've falling apart. I'm just not sure how many more cycles I can do... I'm not sure IVF would have any greater chance of success really.

Does anyone have any experience that can help?

Thanks in advance!

LS x

Hi Lyra,

Sorry to hear of your struggles. I did 6 cycles of OI including 1 chem. At first I thought... hey this is working because at least I got a chem (so fert must have happened) but as time went by I got sick of waiting for the sticky one. Then I had 3 IUI's (the first I overstimmed, turned into an IVF, in which none fert)... the first IUI was another chem... then went to IVF again and had success.

I wouldn't do more than 3 after a chem, but that is my own personal emotions speaking, not medical science, if you know what I mean.

Best of luck, I hope you see double lines very quickly.

I only did 3 cycles using clomid which resulted in 3 cancelled cycles due to first non reaction to level of medication and then overstimulation.

I then pushed my FS to go straight to IVF as he then wanted me to try IUI (that wasn't going to work if all our clomid cycles got cancelled). He luckily let me do IVF straight away and due to my reaction to the meds - I produced 30 follicles of which 18 fertilised and 15 continue to grow - I never had to do another stim cycle again as I had enough little embryo's on ice (which resulted in DD and my twin DS's).

Hopefully you will get a BFP soon :)

Hi Guys,

Thanks for replying! Sorry I didn't see it until just now as I didn't get an email notification (does that always happen or just for some threads?).

Maruschke- wow 6 cycles is a lot. Not sure how you stayed sane. I think I had in my head that 6 would be a reasonable number to do before thinking of moving on, but I'm not sure what the FS thinks. Not sure whether I should count my cancelled cycle and chem in that. I've only had 3 negatives, so maybe I should try 3 more cycles...? I've been told that IUI would be pointless as the problem is all me. I've just been thinking a lot about IVF recently, cost, the left over embryos etc etc.

TaRHLi- wow it sounds like you knew what you wanted and went for it! So nice to hear success stories. Your family is like my dream make up! (except I have a son, so I want twin girls next- don;t tell my husband, we're officially trying for 2 kids only.. ;))

Thanks girls for your replies and good wishes, it's lovely. This process feels really lonely sometimes doesn't it? Especially with people falling pregnant at the drop of a hat left right and centre! I've just booked in for some counselling so if this cycle doesn't work I've got some support lined up, which I think is good. Hopefully I won't need it and I'm growing an AMAZING egg right now! I'm having a slow cycle which is a bit frustrating, but I'm not losing hope yet.

LS x

To be honest I didn't find IVF anywhere near as scary as I thought it would be, and in the end we were only out of pocket about $3k. We do have a frozen embryo left over, and we didn't actually want one... and it is something you really do need to consider before you do IVF. But, best of luck, and I hope this is all information you never end up needing :).

Yeah that's what I can't get my head round to be honest, the thought that we might have frozen embryos that we can't use. Maybe the counselling will help me sort this out in my head. The cost is offputting of course but at the end of the day, we'll do what it takes and we're lucky enough that we could just about afford it. I think I'll keep going with the OI as long as the clinic let me, at least 3 more and then decide where to go from there. Please god not let it be that long, I;m just praying that this one will work.

Thanks xxx

If it isn't too much more expensive, you might like to think about adding IUI anyway. OI can play silly buggers with your CM and make it harder for the sperm to get where they need to be. Too many OI cycles can play silly buggers with your lining. I think IUI adds about 10% chance?

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If it isn't too much more expensive, you might like to think about adding IUI anyway. OI can play silly buggers with your CM and make it harder for the sperm to get where they need to be. Too many OI cycles can play silly buggers with your lining. I think IUI adds about 10% chance?

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Wow that's really interesting. My FS just dismissed IUI when I asked about it because the sperm is fine. Might have to ask again if I get the chance. Thanks for your input.

Hi there,

I did a total of 6 OI: 2 x clomid and 4 x fsh. I was very ready to move on by then. I guess everyone has a different threshold for how much they want to try one method before moving on. Take it one step at a time. Hopefully the counselling will help with your decision making. One good thing is that if you are already doing FSH then you've already got one big hurdle under control if you go down the IVF route.

Wishing you a speedy pregnancy!!