Clomid and IUI

[Gillian]

Hi, this is my first time here and I am overwhelmed by the support everyone seems to give. I am 26 years old and have just finished four unsuccesful months on clomid. I have just had a lapraoscopy which revealed endometriosis, polyps and an ovarian cyst, all of which have now been removed. We are now embarking upon IUI and I have just taken my first dose of clomid in a few months. I am not coping very well with the whole concept especially seeing my doctor has said we should only do 4 months of this and then straight on to IVF.

[Sal]

Hi Gillian, welcome to BB. You've definitely come to the right place. I personally have had endo removed by lap as well as having PCOS found and had ovarian drilling, have done 6 cycles of clomid as well as two IVF attempts. There are (unfortunately) a fair number of women who have similar experiences to you.

Most of the chatting happens in the monthly thread, so you may want to pop in there.

[Keen]

Hi there Gillian - welcome to BB.

Like you I am 26 years old. I also had several months of Clomid (9 in total, I think... :-k ) and they too were unsuccessful.

I am wondering about a few things, trying to think about why the dr has suggested the IUI... have you been ttc for particularly long? Has a sperm analysis been carried out on your partner?

Just thinking that if his fellas are all good then after having all that stuff removed with the lap, IUI might just have a chance....

But can totally understand your frustration and hating the waiting! It seems it is all we do!

Please do feel free to come and join us in the monthly sticky - there are plenty of us in there at the moment (unfortunately) all doing different things but each understanding one another's plight. You will find heaps of advice and support here.


Keen

[Shezabelle]

Hi Gillian

I am 27 and have had 4 unsuccesful cycles of clomid and had my first AIH (IUI) last month which was unsuccessful. I have PCOS. My doc has said 3 (total so 2 to go) cycles of AIH then IVF. I am in Brisbane and with Dr Bob Watson with QFG who are you seeing? My sister has unexplained infertility and had 3 goes at IUI then IVF and she has beautiful 10 month old twin boys so they are my daily inspiration. Like Keen and Sal said come to the monthly thread there is lots of support in there. All the best with your journey... Look forward to getting to know you on the way.

[Gillian]

Thanks for replying, I didn't know how the monthly thread works. It's all a little confusing!!

Shezabelle - I am seeing Dr Turner at the Wesley, he has been fantastic. We have been trying now for 3 years and started seeing him about 8 months ago. I have my first scan this coming Friday (day 10) before the IUI, any advice on what to expect when I actually have the IUI? I too look forward to getting to know you along the way, it's good to know there's plenty of support out there! Good luck with your next cycle!

KeenAs - As I said above, we've been trying for 3 years. I have a suspect ovary but have not been labelled with PCOS as I have no other symptoms. We have already done 4 months on clomid before the lap and now the Dr says our best chances is in the next 3 - 6mths so wants to maximise our chances. My husband has had his sperm analysised and apparently you couldn't ask for better (needless to say his head is slightly swollen!). Is the monthly sticky the same as the thread?

Thanks again for the reply's and I look forward to getting to know everyone through this process and listening to your experiences!

[Shezabelle]

Hi Gillian

The monthly sticky is the same as the monthly thread yes. The IUI is a bit like a pap smear in that they use a speculum, and then pass a small catheter past the cervix into the uterus and "inject" the sperm there.
The sperm has to be washed first to remove the part of the semen that is used to make it through the nasty environment that is the vagina!! The sperm is seperated and then you get the sample back and thats what they inject. I think you doctor sounds like he wants to optimise the treatment while the effects of the lap are still evident. I was really scared when my doc suggested IUI as I felt like it was one step closer to "there's nothing more we can do" but it was much better than the clomid and I have been monitored much more closely which is very reassuring. I have my appt tomorrow (CD7) so it looks like you and I are cycle buddies!!
Here's to luck and safety in numbers!!

[Keen]

Sorry Gillian, I didnt see where you posted how long you had been trying... my brain is perhaps a little fried!


Anyway do come and join us, when you get the chance! HERE

[shell_l_d]

Hi Gillian

I am 29.5yo & have had 3mths on Clomid, then 2mths off, to wait for lap, which I had on 31/5. They found & removed Endo. I was given 6-9mths better chance of fertility, failing that full IVF.

However I was going to go straight into AIH after lap. Mainly due to narrowing/scarring of my cervix from surgery 9yrs ago, which can affect TTC (spermies getting to egges), but decided this mth we'll try just with Clomid, then next mth Clomid + AIH.

What's the difference between IUI & AIH d'yu know?

Hope your now super fertile & fall first go. See u in the mthly thread.

[Gillian]

Hi Shell, from what I understand AIH and IUI are pretty much the same. I am having my first insemination today and I am freaking out. How many cycles of AIH will you do before IVF? Were doing four in total. I too hope that all goes well for you this month, hopefully now everythings been cleared it will all come together for you.

Keen As, I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I went into the link you sent and it came up as being locked. Am I missing something? Hard to believe I run an office during the day when I can't even navigate my way around websites!! Thanks for helping me!

[Melbo]

Hi Gillian,

Welcome to our humble thread.

I had AI (not IUI though) for six rounds and have just started on IVF. You're young so you have such a good chance of succeeding with this, you really do. As far as IVF, the technology is already good and improving all the time. I wish you all the best and hope that you get yourself a BFP very soon.

Mel

[Shezabelle]

Oh good luck Gillian!!! Here's to a BFP in a couple of weeks!!!
The link Keen sent you may have been up to the 10 page limit which is why it was locked. Keep us posted!!
I always thought AI and IUI were the same.:smt102

[shell_l_d]

Hi Gillian

My Gyn(also Infert. Spec/IVF Dr) & the IVF clinic said that after 3 tries of AIH that I should move onto IVF, but to make an aptmnt to see him before hand.

I was under the impression that AIH was where they inject sperm into the uterus and IUI is where they inject just 1 sperm into the actual egg (eg: for those with low sperm counts). But not sure, & haven't done alot of research on IVF.

Hope it went well, good luck.

[Keen]

AI is a relatively simple procedure that involves injecting a sample of specially treated sperm from the male partner into the female partner's reproductive tract.

It's important to note that AI is a general term - there are actually several different types of AI, and they are named for the location of sperm insemination into the female. The types of AI are intracervical (in the cervical canal), intrauterine (in the uterine cavity), intrafollicular (in the ovarian follicle) or intratubal (in the fallopian tubes). Therefore, AI merely describes a procedure where a qualified reproductive specialist injects sperm into the female reproductive tract. The different types of AI are recommended based on your diagnosis and probability of success with each method.

Of the four different types of AI, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the most commonly used form. It is very useful if the cause of infertility is insufficient or hostile cervical mucus or low sperm count or motility. The reason for this is IUI allows sperm to bypass the cervix without encountering "unfriendly" cervical mucus which could "inactivate" the sperm. The reason that IUI is helpful for low sperm count or motility is based upon the knowledge that only about 1% of the total numbers of sperm deposited into the vagina at ejaculation will find their way into the upper female genital tract. IUI places the healthiest sperm into the female genital tract to increase the likelihood that one of those sperm will fertilize an egg.

Hope this clarifies some things for everyone (has done so for me!)

[shell_l_d]

Ahh, I c, thnx Keen, yep alot clearer now.
So I must be having IUI too then... :-)

[Gillian]

Thanks for the emails guys, I keep going to reply and I type up a response and then get side tracked before posting and end up having to start all over again! Stupid work keeping me from socialising!

Thanks for the clarification KeenAs, by the time we all get our good news we will be ready to graduate med school!

Shezabelle, how did your IUI go? We would have had it done the same day. I have my fingers crossed for you for the coming weeks!

Shell, hopefully everything's super for your this month and you won't need to worry whether your having AI or IUI! I've got my fingers crossed for you too!

Good luck guys and thanks again!!

[Shezabelle]

Hey Gillian,

My follies have been slow again so haven't had the IUI yet, is in the morning infact. Fingers crossed for you in the second half of the TWW.

[Sari]

Hello

It is wonderful to read feedback from those newish to the IUI. This forum is wonderful and supportive. We have been ttc for 2y 7months and I have just been through my second IUI cycle

Mother nature (god bless her) just decided to let me know early that it didnt work. So have been feeling a tad sad and grumpy. To read all these posts from women in the same boat put it all in perspective.

So a big thanks to you all for sharing