Clomid before IVF?

I was wondering, do specialists normally reccomend something like taking clomid before embarking on the IVF path?

Hi Mez

Not always. I have endo and DH has low count/motility and high abnormalities and our first FS put us on clomid to "see what happens". We are now changing FS and my gynea has said our new FS would never have put me on clomid, apparently there are a few different schools of thoughts about it and it also depends on your problem, age etc

Cheers

Jane

Hi Jane

After many tests (although not a lap) the specialist couldnt find a real reason why we cant fall pg. Thats why i wonder why he suggested IVF first. We are 26 and 25, been ttc for 3 years.

I did it before IVF for 12 months along with IUI's for added bonus. I finally broke down crying after 12 months worth of attempts. Second cycle of IVF worked for us. We had no real reason for infertility but it just wasnt working. Good luck....I sometimes think we are glad as it justified the reason to do IVF
Bec

Hi there, clomid is only suggested if ovulation is not happening, or is not regular. If you've had lots of tests and you are in fact ovulating, then there is no point being on clomid, as it doesn't make you any more fertile. HTH

Thanks Bec. I have a few doubts but have heard the Dr is good. Maybe this way is the best way...it would be hard to deal with the hope and dismay. Peoples success stories give me hope :)

I think sometimes the less invasive way is the better way to go to start...it gives you something to plan if you need plan B. Clomid sucess is all around my 2 cousins both got pregnant...one had triplets lol not wishing that on you
Bec

Hi
My DH's cousin got pg on clomid. I was on it for 18months as I wasn't ovulating prior. DH had a sperm test which revealed that he had low count, however it wasn't until they did an in depth analysis of his sperm that they found that 98% of his sperm were abnormal - therefore we had ICSI. It would have saved us alot of time, money and heartache had they done the indepth test first.
As said by others - it really depends on what the issues are.
Goodluck!

It depends on whats causing your infertility like the others have said. Theres no point on going on clomid if all your bits are fine but your partners are not for example.

Goof luck with your journey!

My dr did all the blood tests etc, I had a lap and hsg and dh had a SA - after all the tests there was nothing wrong, I'm just not ovulating! So the dr put me on clomid and basically if the clomid doesn't work the next step will be ivf.

Thanks everyone. I guess the Dr would know whether im ovulating (or at least he should!) sometimes theres the little voice in your head that asks - are they just doing this bcoz they want more money?

Hi Mez,

I was on Clomid for 6 months (as not O regularly) but with no successs. I did O on the Clomid but we discovered that DH has low sperm Motility and therefore have now embarked on the IVF/ICSI merry-go-round.
I hope your Journey will be a short one and here's to a BFP really soon......

Alex

I did clomid with no result for 2 months before IVF, however i had other medication factors preventing a BFP. I think sometimes Dr's just want to make sure they try clmoid etc before pulling out the big guns so to speak, as IVF can be demanding in so many ways i guess they want to try less invasive means first.

Hi,
I'm concerned why my FS would recommend clomid for my next IUI cycle if everything is fine with both of us. I do ovulate and I'm regular. (and DH sperm is good)

What do you think? Does clomid have side effects?

Sam

Sam,
I never had any side effects except for some bloating which I presume most women get on a normal cycle umm I might of been moodier lol I'm sure I wasnt my DH would disagree thou
Bec

Sam, I'm not sure why your doctor has put you on Clomid if you are already ovulating. There is the secondary consideration that you are also having IUI so it is possible that more than one egg and sperm will get together. Has the doctor explained his/her reasoning to you? Maybe have a chat to them and find out why that decision has been made.

I'm not a doctor but IMHO I don't see Clomid as a soft option to be used as a matter of course prior to IVF. Clomid is a stim drug which has the same kind of risk as the ones used in IVF. To me though, IVF is the far better treatment option for someone who already ovulates because it is a controlled stimulation, fertilisation and transfer procedure so you know exactly how many fertilised eggs you are dealing with. Taking a drug to stimulate the release of multiple eggs when it is clearly not necessary has always baffled me a bit.

Good luck and I hope your doc can give you an answer you are happy with.

Cheers,

Mel

Mez -
usually the doc will do what they call a Day 21 test to see what your progesterone levels are like, which will show whether you are likely to have ovulated that cycle. If you have ovulated and have regular cycles there is not much point going on Clomid.

There are SO many tests that can be done, but unfortunately there may be no actual reason found (as in my situation at this point!) and that is very very frustrating. I hope that you guys get some answers soon - or even better get a nice big +ve result soon instead!

I have been on clomid but am now moving onto IVF. I never really thought that clomid was really a risky process until I started do more research on IVF. Like a few of you have said IVF is a controlled proceedure unlike clomid where the release of eggs is not monitered. I had fallen pregnant on my 3rd month of clomid with twins but unfortunatly had a late miscarriage at 22 weeks. After a couple of months I went back on clomid but I started to become apprehensive due to the risk of twins again. We had no success so I decided to read more about the IVF programme. I have just started with IVF and I feel more comfortable due to the monitoring of your cycle.

I too ovulate every month but for some reason seem to be having problems conceiving. I am crossing everything that success will be the outcome. I definetly feel more confident then I did when I was on the clomid.

Linda

Linda, best of luck with it. I really hope it's only a matter of time.

Hi guys,
I've really enjoyed reading this thread. We've had all the basic tests and are waiting until July 3rd to get our treatment plan.

I'm thinking that we are going to be put on Clomid because I've just been diagnosed with PCOS and don't ovulate.

Thanks again guys for all the info and help,

Dan.

I think im in the same boat as you keen, where no reason can be found for not being able to conceive. I am registering on wednesday ...to start IVF. I am hopeful, yet dont want to have my hopes up.

Thanks everyone. :bluedust: