Unexplained infertility - is IVF the only answer?

[jennielouises]

Hubby and I have been trying since April 2016 and not a hint of positive line on my tests. I’ve given up taking them! I’m 33 and he’s 37. We’ve had tests done privately and we are both fine. They are saying the only treatment is IVF. We can’t afford that privately so need to go on the NHS but I need to lose a stone first, which I struggle to do. Anyway, is that really the only treatment for unexplained infertility? Do they just do those tests and jump straight to ivf? How will they know what drugs to give me or what needs fixing?

[MRSrob]

Hi, what kind of test have you done? Because I had done test 4 years back with NHS and non come back saying I had infertility issues till I had HSG X-ray done in 2017 abroad. End of 2018, all my fertility issues coming out nearly all at once. My husband sperm test is normal. The problem only lies with me.

[jennielouises in reply to MRSrob]

What’s an HSG X-ray? If it’s to see if the tubes are clear, I had a hyfosy scan to check that

[MRSrob in reply to jennielouises]

Hi, about the same I guess. Just different methods. HSG x Ray is when they put a dye into your uterus and to Fallopian tube see if clear or block and x Ray image will be taken. How about your ovarian reserve? Need a blood test for that to see what level is your ovaries or eggs. As for body weight, my doctor told me it’s not a problem to try for ivf. Just need healthy diet and exercise. There’s plenty of reason or test need to be done why you haven’t conceive.

If your tube clear, do you have any polyps or endo? This more clear to see thru laparoscopic surgery (very minor). They will cut you 2-4holes (small for the camera to go in). Easy recovery and I am recovery from it now. Just had mine last Sunday.

[jennielouises in reply to MRSrob]

Ah yes, I’ve had the reserve test too. It’s on the low side of the normal range but they said that was nothing to worry about. That’s what my sister had for her endo, I just didn’t know what it was called. I doubt they will do that as I don’t have symptoms. Yeah my tubes were all clear

Are you recovering well from the surgery?

[MRSrob in reply to jennielouises]

I see. I don’t have symptoms too but sometimes these kind of surgery is needed. But I think can check through ultrasound if I’m not mistaken.

Yes, recovering well. 4-5 days past can back to normal routine

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

You haven’t even tried for a year yet so I wouldn’t go for ivf yet. It just takes a while for some people to fall pregnant.

[Niki_B in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

She said shes been trying since 2016

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Niki_B]

Oh I’m so sorry I thought it said 2018! Please ignore my comment.

[Militarywife7]

I’ve been ttc for over two years with unexplained fertility. I’ve had all the tests they can offer to look into the reasons why I’m not getting pregnant. I’m now proceeding with IVF as I’ve resigned myself to the fact it’s just not going to happen naturally. I was surprised too, as I thought they would get to the root of the problem but it seems like they can only investigate up until a certain point which is frustrating. I was about to start IVF treatment last month and had a routine mid-cycle scan. They found fluid in my womb and have now booked me in for a hysteroscopy (camera) test this week. I’m not sure what to expect but it may offer up some clues as to the problem. They don’t tailor the drugs as such unless you have a known problem, only the dosage varies. Their main focus is for you to produce as many eggs as possible for the transfer x

[jennielouises in reply to Militarywife7]

Maybe that’s it, I just have to accept that I’ll need ivf? But got to lose some weight first

[Hidden]

I got pregnant straight away but unfortunately lost our little boy at 6 months..

I thought getting pregnant again would be as easy as the first time but it just wasn’t happening.

We tried and tried and then decided to seek advise.. after many tests, some very rigorous. They said my husbands count/motility was low... and we were referred for ivf/icsi. I was shocked to say the least, and wasn’t prepared for that battle.

I thought maybe they’d want to investigate the reasons behind the low count and try work in that department but no, the consultant just said icsi would be our best issue... Coming on three years this Sunday, and undergoing my second round, an FET. The first didn’t work.

What sorts of concerns are there with your tests?

[jennielouises in reply to Hidden]

I’m sorry to hear that. What’s an FET?

There were no concerns with my tests that’s why they chalked it up to unexplained infertility

[Hidden in reply to jennielouises]

Frozen embryo transfer. We managed to get 5 top grade embryos in our first round, which we’ve had frozen.

Basically means we’ve got 5 attempts (hoping they survive thawing process) to try on our nhs cycle.

Then, we would have to pay privately and they’d have to remove more eggs. If that makes sense xx

[jennielouises in reply to Hidden]

Yes it does. Thank you

[Jen_jen]

Hello, I too have unexplained infertility and I bursted into tears when they told me. Not sure why but I think I was really hoping for an answer. I would recommend - Between the fertility appointments go to GP for blood tests. I did and found a few things like I have very low iron and high prolactin levels which can affect fertility which I’m now taking vitamins for.

Wishing you all the very best.

Jen xx

[jennielouises in reply to Jen_jen]

I know what you mean. I was hoping there would be something. It sounds terrible but I found it so hard to accept as my sister was diagnosed with endometriosis, had it removed then fell pregnant straight away. She had been trying nearly as long as me. But I guess I should be grateful nothing is wrong

[Jen_jen in reply to jennielouises]

Similar thing with my sister she had a fibroid interfering with her fertility, she had it removed and fell pregnant straight away.

[Hidden]

I had previously been diagnosed with unexplained infertility. All our tests were completely normal but we couldn’t conceive ! 5 years & 10 months of TTC I had a laparoscopy ( due to chronic pelvic pain ) & I was diagnosed with endometriosis. It was partly treated he removed all he could ( left some on my rectum) & we had an explanation for our infertility. We fell afterwards but I miscarried. Happily after my third laparoscopy I am 27 weeks pregnant with a little girl.

My advice is not to accept a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. I would recommend a laparoscopy to at least rule endometriosis out. Endometriosis only shows up on a laparoscopy. If I had gone with ivf before we discovered my endometriosis it would’ve failed as my endometriosis grew on my pouch of Douglas & uterus ligaments making implantation impossible that for us was the issue getting pregnant.

Wishing you the best on this difficult journey & hope you get your miracle baby soon ❤️ xoxo

[Kikiwaits in reply to Hidden]

This exactly. I had three babies no problem in my 20s, but started trying after remarrying at 32 and got nowhere. All of our tests were normal so we were “unexplained.” I did a successful IVF round and had a daughter, but got no answers. It wasn’t until four years later that we wanted to have another that We discovered what was going on. This time one of my tubes was blocked (it was clear on the HSG in 2014) so I had a laparoscopy and was diagnosed with endometriosis so bad that scar tissue had fused my left tube closed. They cleaned all of that up and the next month I got pregnant. No one at the fertility clinic had even mentioned endometriosis as a potential barrier to fertility, when in reality causes up to 50% of unexplained infertility cases.

[Kikiwaits in reply to Kikiwaits]

Oh, and I had no pain from the endo, even though my Fallopian tube had turned inside out and fused shut. Pain is definitely not an indicator for everyone.

[jennielouises in reply to Kikiwaits]

I wish I could get them to see that. They just told me it can’t be that as I don’t have the pains my sister had. Mind you, they told her that she didn’t have endo and she was all stuck together inside

[Kikiwaits in reply to jennielouises]

I don’t know about you, but I’d start pretending to be in pain! It definitely can be endometriosis without pain.

[jennielouises in reply to Kikiwaits]

Love it! I mean I do get pain but not as bad as my sister and it’s mostly in my bum! Ha ha

[jennielouises in reply to Kikiwaits]

Love it! I mean I do get pain but not as bad as my sister and it’s mostly in my bum! Ha ha

[jennielouises]

thanks all. I’ve had day 3 and day 21 blood tests, an ultrasound and internal ultrasound, and a hyfosy scan (not the most pleasant thing ever!). Hubby has had his tests. All came back normal. The gp won’t do any more tests. I have had low iron count in the past but I’m not anaemic and can’t take iron pills as they hurt my stomach.

What is a laparoscopy? My sister had endometriosis and fell pregnant once it was removed but I don’t get nearly as much pain as she did so I doubt it’s that. I do get pain in by rectum during my period and suffer IBS, plus smear tests etc are so painful but she was in so much pain she couldn’t even get up to go to the loo.

The trouble with the private clinic is they just want to go straight to ivf as they will make more money that way.

I do get anxiety attacks in my LH phase of my cycle. Perhaps that’s stopping me falling?

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to jennielouises]

I agree with Jess, a laparoscopy is the only way to diagnose endometriosis. You’ll probably need a referral to a gynaecologist to have an investigative laparoscopy. You sound as though you do have a few symptoms and remember infertility is a symptom too.

[MissSaoPaulo in reply to jennielouises]

If a direct family member has endo there's a stronger chance of you having it too so I would think that definitely needs looking into. Not everyone has pain with it, I think it depends how much there is and where it is. Another thing that can affect fertility is thyroid function which I don't think you mentioned had been tested. So there are still maybe one or two things that could be looked into before moving on to IVF. Best of luck hon xxx

[jennielouises in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

I forgot that was part of it. My thyroid was on the upper limit of normal at 2.5 but they said that wouldn’t affect it

[Hidden]

I too am still ’unexplained infertility’ despite them finding various things with me which ‘could’ affect fertility. The reality is that a lot of it is still a bit of a mystery to the medics and a lot of ppl get pregnant with these conditions but some don’t. I think for NHS it’s more cost effective to do a round of ivf (which they also learn a lot from and may be able to tell what the issue is). Some people refer to the first ivf as ‘investigative’ because you have to have thyroid and hormone checks before, they see your egg quality, see womb lining etc. I would not recommend pushing for laproscopy to investigate endometriosis if that’s not something you likely have - you’ll probably know if you might have it (very painful periods, intermittent bleeding, gastric symptoms with period like runs/vomiting etc) - and any surgery carries risks and shouldn’t be taken on lightly (I have long term bladder damage from complications with mine which was necessary). Also, it doesn’t necessarily solve infertility. I have endo, has it removed and 1.5 years on remain ‘unexplained infertility’. Weight loss of itself can help fertility so, while a challenge, it’s a good place to start. I too found it difficult to get my head around the idea that they don’t look for cause and treat as such. I think they’re more focused on securing a baby than the route there which (for most common difficulties) ivf is the right route for. Best of luck! X

[embiemomma]

You mentioned you need to lose a stone to be eligible for IVF... Being overweight in itself can cause fertility problems so if you need to lose weight anyway you might find that helps you get pregnant naturally. Our reason was undiagnosed infertility, we had IVF after 4 years of trying, got a 2 year old from that. I'm now pregnant naturally after 4 months of trying so not infertile at all!! Sometimes it's just one of those things... Xx

[jennielouises in reply to embiemomma]

The private clinic told me the amount of excess weight I gave means it wouldn’t be the problem. I’m ovulating and my hormones are normal and that’s normally why being overweight causes problems.

[Amandaholland85]

Hi jennielouises

I was on the NHS years ago and i have blood test, scan, and laparoscopy to find out what was rong with me and thay told me that i had pcos and that was the cos of me not being able to get pregnant and that i would need Ivf but the niver told me anything about how or why i had it i was only in my 20s and i was left with all thes questions and no answer i was only when i whent i decided to go Greece to have my Ivf dun that finally i was able to find out the answers to the questions i had. If i was given eay advice its if you don't understand something or you don't get the answers keep ask them to explain in in English and not doctor talk and we don't no what your saying and if you fell your not satisfied get a second opinion you have to be able to trust the clinic and the doctors and not just a chi number i hope this helps a little best for luck xxx

[jennielouises in reply to Amandaholland85]

I do have symptoms of pcos but no cysts but I have wondered about that

[Amandaholland85 in reply to jennielouises]

I would just keep asking if you don't understand and get the answers you need but i must say the NHS in my experience is not forthcoming with information or ancers. X

[Kempton]

It was a pretty quick process for us. Blood tests, a hycosy, then finally a lap and dye for me. Hubby had a semen analysis. We were also deemed unexplained and after a Jan- Feb referral started IVF in the March (NHS funded).

Eventually had a baby and a year or so later I'm now pregnant again. Without intervention.

I'd pursue the IVF if I were you. But also my hubby puts this second pregnancy down to more sex and not specifically around ovulation. So I'd say in the meantime try that!

Hope your journey goes well!

[jennielouises in reply to Kempton]

Thanks. I do think we’re stressing about having sex at the right times and it has become a chore really. Not good to say but it’s true!

[embiemomma in reply to jennielouises]

I totally agree with this!! We were so strict when trying all those years, the month we fell pregnant naturally, we had sex once on day 15!! No pressure, no stress. I'm sure it has a lot to answer for! Easier said though. Xx

[Hidden]

Its not for everyone but the Gabriela Rosa Fertility Challenge works through simple lifestyle elements that can negatively impact fertility. I have been through two challenges and there are always people who get pregnant as a result of making changes. It's hard work and mentally challenging but all makes sense if you wanted to try something else before IVF. Even if you don't get pregnant naturally it will improve your chances of IVF working and it's free.

[jennielouises in reply to Hidden]

Can you tell me more about it please? What is it exactly?

[Hidden in reply to jennielouises]

I’ll pm over the weekend when I’ve got access to a computer.

[kirstyblue]

I was really shocked when I was offered ivf considering I hadn’t even been given medication to try first. My fertility was kind of unexplained but I think I just wasn’t ovulating..I was gobsmacked when my consultant said I could go down the ivf route. It sounded so drastic! I agreed to go for it, then before starting changed my mind and said I wanted to try clomid first, then changed my mind again 😂 It was a massive, scary decision but it worked!!! It’s absolutely amazing what they can do nowadays.

Good luck x

[staaa88]

Hi Jennie!

There’s not much advice I can offer... but I thought I’d let you know you’re not on your own. TTC for 4 years, I’ve had all the tests done, bloods, scans, lap and dye both me and my husband are “fine” I’ve just started my meds for FET, they couldn’t do a fresh cycle as I was at high risk of OSHH having over 25 follicles in each ovary, so I am baffled as to why I can’t get pregnant naturally.