https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 23:16:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1511463 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 10:00:03 +0000 Caly 1511463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: first of all, your screen name is both honest and amusing at the same time..it made me smile.<br /> You've already received some great advice. 20mo is too long to wait in my opinion, especially since 12mo is the general rule of thumb for under 35yrs old. Glad you're going to a new RE, dealing with IF is difficult enough as it is to add on the stress of an RE you don't see eye to eye with. I was also unexplained, IVF is what ended up working for me. Hope things go well with your appt, keep us updated!</p> <p>eta: and don't ever be afraid to question/disagree with your RE, it sounds like you're already doing well in that dept, however :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1511305 Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:23:28 +0000 Jenn23 1511305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so glad you are going to see a new RE! Can't wait to hear what he/she has to say! You shouldn't have to wait any longer...you've waited long enough. :) Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1510480 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:38:45 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 1510480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: The rule of thumb is 12 months if you're under 35 and 12 months if you're 35 or older. So, you're way beyond that. I think it's time to see an RE. Best of lucky to you!! They'll find and fix any problem that you may have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509802 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 18:18:49 +0000 BSB 1509802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I personally would push to be more aggressive. I saw my RE at 6 cycles of TTC (after my OB/GYN suggested it) and had my first IUI at cycle 8. (My IUI was started because of my husband's abnormal sperm analysis. I don't want you and others to think that everything was normal on my and DH's end and they let me have the IUI.) Here I am at cycle 19 and with 3 failed IUIs under my belt and about to proceed to IVF. If you feel you need to start IUIs now, go with your gut. </p> <p>I'm paying out of pocket, though. So I was able to 'make my money speak' for what I wanted. Although, i would love to have IF insurance coverage, I know having insurance you have to have all of the paperwork and tests covered. (I think that's me trying to spin our lack of IF coverage in a positive light. ;)</p> <p>I, also, noticed that it depends on how confident you are in your choices. When I first saw my RE, I didn't know what I wanted. So I let her decide, which is fine because at the time I thought IUI would be as far as I would go. But, here I am about to start my IVF cycle.</p> <p>Lastly, I just had a consultation (today!) with another RE and I really like the doctor and office. It will delay my IVF for a month while they run their tests but I think every doctor can have their own opinion. Now that I might be delayed by a month, I do wish I started earlier in getting a second opinion. I was lazy and didn't want to switch doc because I didn't want to do everything over again. Now that I'm not really happy with my current RE, I kinda sorta shot myself in the foot. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509508 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:53:27 +0000 spaniellove 1509508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: It's not that IUI (vs IVF) is useless but it's what you do in conjunction that can make it more effective. If you haven't tried any interventions I wouldn't push for IVF just yet because you never know what will work for you - especially because you don't have insurance coverage! Clomid + IUI is one option, but there's also injectibles + IUI. And I would make sure your new RE does monitoring with any interventions because it can help you gather more data about your cycle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509501 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:50:00 +0000 Snowdrop 1509501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: search for naprotechnology here on the boards as a starting point :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509488 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:46:12 +0000 mopeybuthopey 1509488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks for the suggestion @snowdrop! I haven't heard of them but am going to look into it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509468 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:40:04 +0000 Snowdrop 1509468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: you really need a new RE he is just rude! If you don't have the budget for IVF have yoj heard of napro? They do mire extensive testing and are more likely to discover what is actually causing your infertility and therefore offer appropriate treatment. I can'g comment much as I'm only just starting with them but when I posted on here quite a few ladies had good experiences. I have to say I loved my first consultation....finally talking to someone who knew their stuff AND took me seriously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509431 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:31:24 +0000 hotchildinthecity 1509431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My re recommended an iui at 12 months. I declined, but i dont see anything wrong with you doing it now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509353 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:15:16 +0000 mopeybuthopey 1509353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks @spaniellove! If IUI in and of itself is not generally all that successful... do you guys think it would be out of the norm for me to push for IVF at this point? Or is 16 months definitely too early for that? I am going to bring all this up with the new RE I am seeing next week but curious as to what you guys think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509344 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:13:27 +0000 spaniellove 1509344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: "You're already ovulating since you have cycles each month"...is not a sign of an RE who knows what he's doing. It's completely possible to ovulate (and regularly!) and have issues that could cause infertility. I agree that IUI is not in itself all that successful if you don't know what you're treating, but a different RE should hopefully do a better job of finding the cause! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509074 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:13:48 +0000 mopeybuthopey 1509074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jenn23 -- thanks so much! I think you have responded to some of my questions before :) I may print out this message exchange and share it with my new RE when I meet with her next week.</p> <p>Unfortunately, I do not have any insurance coverage for IVF. It is very expensive. I really do hope it will work for us. I appreciate your uplifting stories about your friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509051 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:09:18 +0000 Jenn23 1509051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mopeybuthopey: He said that??!! That is awful. :( I would find a new RE if you can! I don't like the sounds of him. For both his personality and the fact that he isn't offering you any treatment! As I said before, my RE starts treatments like IUI's right when many women come to see him (at about 12 months unsuccess). I don't get why yours won't? Honestly, I really think IVF may be in your future. For unexplained infertility, often IUI's aren't successful. As I said before, usually they are beneficial for male problems. I know three women all in the last five years that have unexplained and all got pregnant on their first IVF cycles. (After 1-2 years not getting pregnant trying Clomid, IUI's, etc.) Do you have insurance coverage for IVF? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509043 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:07:46 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1509043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're wanting to start intervention, I'd say find someone who will help you out. Our RE was willing to start at 12 months TTC, so 16 months seems reasonable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1509023 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:04:55 +0000 mopeybuthopey 1509023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much ladies. This really reinforces my decision. I tried a couple cycles of clomid at around 11 months trying (my OB/GYN) recommended it, and then my RE poo-pooed it because he said "you are already ovulating since you have cycles each month. Clomid has a marginal, if any, effect, for people like you." I was so disappointed. My hubby does have a good count thankfully, and I know in my heart that the issue is with me, even though infertility is a couple's issue. I feel like I am failing him each month. </p> <p>My RE says I should wait because when he was doing the lap to fix the hydro I ended up not having, he saw the tiniest bit of endo on my bladder, which he cauterized. He told me my odds improved from a whopping 2% chance per month to a 6% chance per month. I pushed for something then, but he refused, and told me to come back in August. I then indicated there was a 94% chance I'd be back in August, and he shrugged, and said "well, you don't have a 0% chance." GEE THANKS CAPTAIN OBVIOUS. </p> <p>Also, on the IUI, I do wonder how much a difference it would make. I don't have an ovulation problem or a sperm problem... should I be pushing to start IVF or is it too early for that?? :| You guys are great. Thanks again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1508929 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:46:45 +0000 KT326 1508929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I knew I was dealing with infertility so when we wanted to start trying I was sent to an RE right away. I did 6 cycles of medicated timed intercourse before switching to another RE and starting IUI with injectibles. </p> <p>I think its crazy that your RE wants to wait. I would get a second opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1508894 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:40:58 +0000 spaniellove 1508894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What RE would want you to wait 20 months?! If you did treatments I would maybe find someone else. It's not uncommon to try some sort of intervention by a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1508876 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:38:14 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1508876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, I'd move on if I were you. Starting around a year or so is definitely reasonable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1508855 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:35:16 +0000 Jenn23 1508855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, most start trying IUI's or at least Clomid around a year. However, if your husband's numbers are good (no low county, motility, etc.) IUI's generally don't increase the odds of success very much. IUI's are generally the best for cases such as those. I would definitely try a few IUI's, though. No need to wait anymore. You've been waiting long enough! Why does your RE think you should wait? Most RE's see people at 12 months of no success and start with treatments right away. Can you find another RE? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1508838 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:32:00 +0000 MamaMoose 1508838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your OB seems extremely unreasonable to me. One of my good friends also has unexplained infertility and she just had her first IUI in what was her 12th month of trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unexplained-infertility-how-long-to-wait-before-intervention#post-1508802 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:26:34 +0000 mopeybuthopey 1508802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi ladies,</p> <p>My infertility is currently unexplained -- I had a lap a few months ago but I turned out not to have a hydro as they thought. I have been trying for 16 months now with no bfps, and while this seems like a long time to me on a personal level, I know there are many out there who have tried for much longer before receiving good news. Is it too early for me to push for IUI? Am I being unreasonable being disappointed each month? </p> <p>My RE wants me to wait for at least 20 months... but I am inclined to see someone else. But at the same time, is that unreasonable of me? :| </p> <p>Thanks guys. </p>