Newbie questions - HyCosy, IUI, IVF

[GreenBramble]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new to the fertility network but hoping to hear about people's experiences with HyCosy and medicated IUI.

We've been trying to get pregnant naturally for 18 months. My husband had low numbers across the board which have since improved a lot (aside from morphology) since an embolisation for varicocele back in May last year. My side of things are thankfully good with really high AMH and ovarian reserve.

We're currently on the waiting list for NHS IVF and choosing to try IUI whilst we wait. It's my high AMH which I'm told puts me at high risk of OHSS with IVF and to be honest is terrifying me to start. I was hoping IUI would be a less invasive route to try first but I'm worried about starting a medicated cycle of IUI with Letrozole (which we're told will increase our chance of pregnancy rather than opting for a natural cycle of IUI).

Does anyone have any experiences with medicated IUI and high AMH? I understand there is a possibility of producing too many follicles and having to cancel the cycle? And has anyone had a HyCosy? I've read a lot of horror stories and trying to manage my expectation of the pain.

Thanks

[CarlottaD27]

Hello & welcome!

I haven’t got experience of IUI but took letrozole and had monitoring scans and a trigger shot (in my case to boost ovulation). I also have high AMH and in my case on a dose of 5mg for 5 days, I produced one big follicle each round, and only two follicles once, so for me there wasn’t the risk of high order multiples as sometimes happens, and this may well be the case for you too!

My experience of the HyCoSy was that it was indeed painful, like bad period cramps. However, it was bearable pain and over within a few minutes, and there was absolutely no pain for me once it was done. The nurse mentioned that it helped that tubes were clear, meaning it was over quickly and no blockages which may have caused pain. I think it can vary from person to person but I was certainly glad to have done it and have ticked off that investigation.

Best of luck for the upcoming IUIs. It can be a real rollercoaster of a journey and hopefully it will bring some excitement getting closer to concieving x

[WillowPark]

Hi GreenBramble, I get really bad period pain and also have alot of pain during smears and IVF transfers (I am given sedation as a result). I was terrified about the HyCoSy. But the HyCoSy for me was painful but manageable. I got up early and took two doses of painkillers before the procedure (2 x ibuprofen, then 2 x paracetamol in the morning, then 2 x ibuprofen, then 2 x paracetamol before 30mins/an hour before). It was sore but fine. It is over very quickly. I had cramps but they subsided really quickly afterwards. I've heard others say it is absolutely fine so just luck of the draw. It is worth going for if you are still trying naturally for a while x

[Becem92]

Hey,

I have had both HyCoSy, IUI and IVF!

I don’t have high AMH, it’s classed as normal but I have been told I have polycystic ovaries and I produce lots of follicles!

HyCoSy, for me it was just like an intense period cramp for a minute or so until they pushed the solution through. I honestly found it to be worse the more I tensed up. I just tried to focus on my breath and it was over pretty quickly. No issues afterwards too!

I had letrozole for 2 x IUI and I triggered with ovidrel also. I actually only produced one follicle each time and my specialised said it was not really upping my chances compared to trying naturally. For that reason, we moved onto IVF and I also only ever got 11 eggs at most even though, I had heaps of small follicles too. I’m assuming they would keep your dose low given your high AMH.

I wish you the best of luck going forward and hope that you get your BFP x

[AshleyJB]

Hello there 👋🏻I also have a really high AMH I decided not to do IUI and jumped straight to IVF although previously to starting IVF I did 6 months on clomid and then 3 months on Letrozole. For me they didn't start with a high dose incase too many follicles were produced and only one or two follicles were produced each cycle.

I had a HyCoSy before going on ovulation meds and honestly found it not bad at all. I took ibuprofen and Paracetamol about an hour before and during the procedure I had one or two period like cramps and that was it. No cramping afterwards. My tubes were also clear and I hear that if there is a blockage it can be quite painful but for me I was surprised how little it hurt as I'd heard different stories. Everybody is totally different though, maybe I was just lucky on the pain front.

Best of luck to you. Xxx

[GreenBramble]

Thank you so much everyone. It’s really reassuring hearing all your stories and I feel much more relaxed about the whole thing!