IUI

[Banbha83]

Hello All

We had a failed IVF cycle last month, I had no eggs collected! Had our review appointment today and the doctor has suggested trying IUI.

I don’t really know a lot about IUI.....Any advice? Xx

[kenem808]

Did they outline specific reasons? IUI is much less effective than IVF, the outcome rates even when medicated are much lower. I assume there would be a particular reason for the recommendation as the treatment offer is usually IUI natural, IUI medicated then IVF.

[Banbha83 in reply to kenem808]

Thank you.....so you would usually be offered IUI before IVF?

Yeah I suffer from vaginismus so sometimes intercourse can be difficult, so he thinks IUI could be an option. My AMH is 8 which he said was quite low as well x

[Ash2016]

We’re supposed to try IUI this next cycle having had three failed ivf. I have low amh - about 6 when it was last tested some time ago. Dr suggesting it due to poor embryo quality and the less stress on May eggs. Going to give it a shot, doing medicated cycle with low dose stims and trigger, despite low chances xxx

[Banbha83 in reply to Ash2016]

Best of luck with it! I told our consultant I would think about it because tbf IVF really took its toll on me. But I think we will go for it, he said it would just be a natural IUI so I suppose I don’t have anything to lose x

[Hidden]

My first born was IUI. A lot of people skip that option and go straight to IVF it's similar to the first part of IVF the stim and the scans then instead of egg collection they put the sperm in and let nature do it's thing. When I went private to try have my second I skipped IUI and went for IVF thinking it's more effective. I only ever had 1 embryo to transfer as the most they collected was 2 eggs. It's doesn't answer your question of why they think to try IUI but thought worth letting you know my situation sounds similar. I ended up having my second using donor eggs. Good luck x x

[Banbha83 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, and glad to hear you have had success!

He did say our best bet was with donor eggs - part of me thinks he’s offered it because we would get it for free and may as well try it! Xx

[SVAK]

I’m sorry about your failed IVF, not sure how useful this is but We did IUI before IVF, I would ask why they think you didn’t produce any eggs. IUI relays on your own cycle and then they place the sperm in you. You test for ovulation so they can time it correctly. If you are not producing eggs then I’m not sure how this would work. Good luck though, it’s such a rollercoaster and everyone is different. They are the experts so maybe they know something we don’t 😜 xx

[Banbha83 in reply to SVAK]

Thank you. Yes this is what I am confused about - my period is very regular, every 28 days so I couldn’t understand why they didn’t collect anything! Surely my own egg would have been in there at least?!

The whole process confuses me so much! xx

[SVAK in reply to Banbha83]

It is confusing and I think sometimes it’s difficult to get the answers you need. I would call them and ask what their opinion is on why no eggs were collected. I’m assuming that from your scans there were follicles growing otherwise they wouldn’t have gone on with the procedure. If they were empty then maybe the reasons for that should be explored before other treatments are looked at? I’m no expert but that is what I would be doing if it were me. Good Luck lovely 😊 xx

[Banbha83 in reply to SVAK]

Thank you xx they did say at my last scan before collection there might not be many eggs - they thought maybe 4/5. And I was on highest dose of bemfola! Just one of those things I guess? Xx

[Sofi1]

Hi

I too had ivf and it failed due to no eggs. My amh is 8 too. In the initial meeting after the failed off he suggested donor eggs but that is not an option for me at this moment in time. He suggested ivf again but no real reason as to why there was no eggs. I think you need to find out why there weren't any eggs collected I am going to see the consultant on Tuesday again and will try to get that question answered xx

[Banbha83 in reply to Sofi1]

Thank you xx I knew just before the collection my numbers were low, from my scans they thought they might get a few eggs.

Yeah at the minute donor eggs isn’t for us. I had myself settled yesterday that our journey was over and now this! xx

[Sofi1 in reply to Banbha83]

I was so devastated as I thought we would at least have one egg. I'm not giving up just yet. I've started having fertility massages and may consider accupuncture during ivf as I've heard that helps. It's hard not to get too upset but we have to try and whatever will be will be...if you need a chat feel free to message me xx

[Banbha83 in reply to Sofi1]

Thank you so much - it’s the most emotional and stressful thing isn’t it?! Do you mind me asking, do you have a regular period? I always thought because my period is like clockwork I had plenty left x

[Sofi1 in reply to Banbha83]

Yes my periods have been on time always. The only thing different I've notes in the last year was it was 27/28 days and now it's about 25. Same here I thought I'd be ok too I was really shocked when I didn't even get one egg. How old are you if you don't mind me asking as over 30-35 the eggs are poorer quality xx

[Banbha83 in reply to Sofi1]

I’m 35.....36 next month so I guess I have age against me too!! 😔 xx

[Sofi1 in reply to Banbha83]

I'm 40 and my amh dropped quite abit from 39 so I think you are still ok. Please don't stress! I know it's easy to say but at the same time I know how you feel. It's not easy to understand if you've not been through it. I always thought naively it would be easy to conceive as my friends had. When I was having the scan not once did they say that 2 follicles weren't good enough.

Did the consultant offer another ivf or was it just iui?

Reading on other posts some people have said that they've had success second time around due to the doctors re adjusting their meds. I pray that it happens for us both!

I'm becoming so obsessive over infertility and constantly googling which is not good. Xx

[Banbha83 in reply to Sofi1]

It’s awful! I just assumed IVF would work for us because we didn’t have any real issues! No he just offered IUI, I am in Northern Ireland and we only get one free cycle. I have been doing the same, constantly reading up on it - it’s not good for your mental health!

Positive thoughts it happens for us 💗 xx

[Sofi1 in reply to Banbha83]

We get one round too but as it is classed as failed he said we could have another one free. I really hope it does work for us both and as you say we just need to keep positive xx

I think I'm going to go for my second round at the end of may/start of June x

[Banbha83 in reply to Sofi1]

Ah best of luck with it xx

I don’t think I could go through it again, I had to take time off work, side effects really affected me !

[Sofi1 in reply to Banbha83]

It's not a nice process. I just need to try it one more time for my own reassurance. Apart from bloatedness I wasn't too bad thankfully it's just the emotions afterwards. I'm not sure if I will be able to deal with a failure again but need to try it. All the best to you too and I'm here if you need a chat. It's nice to get some support and kind words from people that understand and I'm grateful to all of those people that have helped me.

[Banbha83 in reply to Sofi1]

Same here - this wee page has really helped me. I think you need to have been through it to really understand it 💗 xx

[Sofi1 in reply to Banbha83]

True! I know must friends and family try to be helpful or understanding but I don't think they really get the mental health aspect of it x

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear of your failed cycle. I would also be asking what their thoughts where or reasons for no eggs. Did you have follicles seen in the scans leading up to egg collection?

I have had 3 ivf cycles and my doctor suggested skipping iui as his feeling was that ivf has a better success rate. So with your doctors suggestion to try iui, I would be asking lots of questions why and a review of the cycle you just had.. good luck!

[Banbha83 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Yes my scans leading up to collection did show large follicles but they thought they were a mix between cysts and eggs, I think they were surprised as well to not collect any!

I really do just think he’s offered a natural IUI because we wouldn’t have to pay for it - worth a try I guess? Or will I be putting myself under more stress?! xx

[Hidden in reply to Banbha83]

Hi, ok, I hear you re the stress! But if your doc thinks it’s still a viable option then I would give it a go! I guess it all depends on the reasons you haven’t been able to get pregnant (no need to answe that, I know it’s private info!)

Have you tried acupuncture?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Maybe you could ask your doc also about other options? After my first cycle we only got 1 egg, so second time around we just lowered the dose of stim drug and we got 2.

[Banbha83 in reply to Hidden]

No I haven’t actually tried anything like that - worth looking into. I am just “unexplained infertility” although the low amh and vaginismus won’t help! I think we will go for it - nothing to lose!

Consultant said another round of IVF would most likely yield same result and egg donation isn’t something we want to consider just yet xx

[Hidden in reply to Banbha83]

Yes I would try find an acupuncturist who might specialise in fertility issues. And try that for a few months.. it’s all worth a shot!

Good luck!

[Banbha83 in reply to Hidden]

I will definitely try that! Thank you xx