Hellobee Boards

Have all your attempts at Clomid made you ovulate? If so I'd probably try Clomid a few more times. Maybe try a different ovulation medication like Femera?

Do you chart? How has your timing been on your Clomid cycles?

I also have PCOS and didn't ovulate on my own most of the time, but the rest of my and DH's reproductive systems looked good. The treatment I was recommended was Clomid + monitoring then a shot of Ovidrel and timed intercourse. After a few cycles like that we would have tried some IUI cycles before considering IVF.

If your DH's swimmers are good then yeah in theory an IUI is unnecessary, but I'd still try a couple cycles before moving to IVF.

It sounds like you only had 2 "real" tries where you ovulated. If it were me, I would give clomid another try or two (maybe with IUI since it's covered anyways) before getting more aggressive. DHs numbers were great and she didn't think IUI would help, but it was covered for us as well so we figured why not. I'll take any microscopic better chances I can get. What about FSH/IUI? We gave all the "easy" stuff a go before moving to the next step.

We skipped IUI and went straight to IVF. Worked the first time! However, since you have IUIs available paid by insurance, I would do one or two before going to IVF. IVF is so hard (emotionally, physically) that I would try other things before going there. Good luck!

I don't understand why your husband having "super swimmers" would mean that IUI wouldn't work? That confuses me. It seems like "super swimmers" would be great because they IUI would put those swimmers right where they need to be, right at the right time (with monitoring), and then the magic takes it's course.

We have had success with IUI. I conceived on a injectables/IUI cycle. Clomid was thinning my lining. We have unexplained infertility.

If insurance covers it, and you're up for trying a few IUIs, I'd recommend starting there. I agree with @twodoghouse about the emotional and physical toll it can take on your body. IUI failure isn't fun, but it's not as hard on the body as the IVF process (in my opinion...I'm not trying to offend anyone who has been through IVF)

@sweetooth: Thank you! It feels so strange to finally be able to say that!

Also, @sweetooth is right. IUIs aren't nearly as hard on the body as IVF, so I think DH and I wanted to make sure we exhausted all our options before going to IVF.

What @sweetooth: said. "Super swimmers" has nothing to do with conception. My husband has "super" ones too and I have no known issues and we've done Clomid with IUI. From how my RE explained it, why do Clomid alone when there's more you could be doing? I would try that with IUI, since insurance covers it, before moving to IVF, if necessary. Do you know if your insurance requires anything pre-IVF? Mine requires a set number of medicated cycles, with or without IUI, before moving onto IVF.

I have PCOS and basically don't ovulate either. I also am Clomid-resistant, which is common in women with PCOS. What worked for me was the highest dose of Femara + Gonal-f at the end + trigger shot, with timed intercourse.

I imagine your RE is not telling you that IUI wouldn't work, I think they were probably trying to say that in your case it's not necessary. IUI only increases your odds very little if you don't have any male factor issues.

I'd say that if you're tired of waiting around, then go for the IUI. Make sure to get monitored and to use a trigger shot. If you have any questions I'm happy to answer :).

What's your age? That would make a difference for me as to how soon I'd move on to IVF. If you're relatively young and have been screened and found to have no tubal or other issues that would require IVF for success, I would definitely start with a series of (closely monitored) clomid or injectable IUI cycles. So great that you have some insurance coverage!!!

I guess it depends on how you are responding to the Clomid? I have PCOS and after 2 rounds, became clomid/femera resistant. I moved on to injectables, but the dose necessary for to ovulate would have produced multiple eggs so IVF it was!