IUI or IVF?

[Imaan]

Hi lovely ladies,


I posted this in the long term TTC section but only got one response so thought I'd try here. This is probably the right place anyway.

At my first appt with the FS, she said based on my Dh's SA results we will need to go for either IUI or IVF. My next appt. isn't for a couple of months but I am just wondering whether I should go for IUI or straight for IVF.

I am 35 and I know that IUI has such a low success rate and I don't want to waste any more time as we have already been TTC for 6 years.

Also, how many IUIs are offered on the NHS? and do they offer one after the other or is there a waiting period in between? and do they give you the option to actually skip IUI if one wants to go straight for IVF?

Thanks x

 

[hollyw79]

I think you should give IUI a try- it worked for me on the 1st try- sadly ended in mc 2 weeks ago.. but it's much less invasive than IVF. My DH's SA is what led me down that path. I would say it really can't hurt to try it a few times before pursuing that... it was a really simple process and I plan on doing it again. ( I have to wait 3 cycles after the d&c to do so) Is your DH taking steps to improve his SA in the mean time to increase your chances??

 

[Imaan]

Thanks for your response hun,

I am really so sorry that it ended in having a D&C (I had one many years ago )I am just wondering how many IUIs I should try. I did try IUI once many years ago when we tried the fertility route abroad (but abandoned it for several reasons) but it wasn't successful. Maybe I could have one shot at IUI before moving to IVF.

DH hasn't taken anything yet. Is there anything that you can recommend? I was looking in to buying him Fertility Plus for men.

 

[hollyw79]

Personally- based off of the TONS of posts that I have read- I would try @ least 3 or 4 IUI's if it's just a sperm issue. I see SOOOOO many women getting their BFP on the 4th try- hopefully FX'd that it WON'T take that long- but when I start back up (heck, maybe I can get preggo on my OWN before then!) I will do a minimum of 3 attempts- asking for 4 if my doc will go along with it.

Sperm CAN be improved- just to give you an idea- my DH had a count of 19 million (little on the low end) for his SA. Come time for the IUI a few mos later- he had 37 million POST wash- which means he probably had closer to 80 million- so a HUGE HUGE improvement. I would say if your DH drinks or smokes- have him eliminate or @ least reduce that- my DH would drink a few beers on occasion and he eliminated that. He also took daily a multivitamin, folic acid, zinc, and omega 3- ALL good for sperm. Also, here is a link that provides A LOT of useful info:

https://www.fertilinet.com/male.htm

I'm not in the UK so I have NO idea how NHS works and such- but hopefully you can get that beautiful BFP before ever resorting to IVF!

 

[Imaan]

Ohh thank you so much... you don't know how much better your response had made me feel.... feeling the positivity!

And what a massive improvement in you DH's SA!!!!!!!!! amazing!!!! seriously. I will get my DH on them ASAP and also get him to cut out the glug.

I will give IUI a fair chance then... hopefully they will offer me at least 3 and then like you said, maybe I won't need to go through IVF

Thank you so much and wishing you all the very best too xxx

 

[hollyw79]

Ohh thank you so much... you don't know how much better your response had made me feel.... feeling the positivity!

And what a massive improvement in you DH's SA!!!!!!!!! amazing!!!! seriously. I will get my DH on them ASAP and also get him to cut out the glug.

I will give IUI a fair chance then... hopefully they will offer me at least 3 and then like you said, maybe I won't need to go through IVF

Thank you so much and wishing you all the very best too xxx

super duper hugs!!! I know how down I felt when I first got my DH's SA back- but I took the time to really read in depth and talking to other ladies on here- and it is something that can be improved so you have every reason to be optimistic! AND- at least you know if you do the IUI that you did everything YOU could before moving onto IVF. Best of luck my dear and keep me posted!

 

[lizlemon]

As far as I know in the UK it is normally recommended 3 IUI with stimulation attempts. Our doctor (private as our NHS is no longer funding) said if you take 100 couples by the end of 3 cycles 60 should be pregnant. The chances of getting pregnant after this is less likely as it suggests something else is going on, like sperm and egg incompatility, as so he recommended IVF after that.
I am 33 nearly 34, and we have sperm issues, DH sperm fluxuates from 7million to 22 million. Starting first IUI in a weeks time.

Which part of the country are you in? and are they still funding? When we went to the NHS hospital before funding pulled they were v keen to go straight to IVF, which is common as if you are both good success candidates it inflates their stats.

we personally wanted to try IUI first as it is less drugs to begin with and hopefully will ease us into fertility treatment.....
you!

 

[Imaan]

As far as I know in the UK it is normally recommended 3 IUI with stimulation attempts. Our doctor (private as our NHS is no longer funding) said if you take 100 couples by the end of 3 cycles 60 should be pregnant. The chances of getting pregnant after this is less likely as it suggests something else is going on, like sperm and egg incompatility, as so he recommended IVF after that.
I am 33 nearly 34, and we have sperm issues, DH sperm fluxuates from 7million to 22 million. Starting first IUI in a weeks time.

Which part of the country are you in? and are they still funding? When we went to the NHS hospital before funding pulled they were v keen to go straight to IVF, which is common as if you are both good success candidates it inflates their stats.

we personally wanted to try IUI first as it is less drugs to begin with and hopefully will ease us into fertility treatment.....
you!

Oh thanks so much! that sounds a lot more positive than the stats I had been looking at which were around the 10% mark per go. I am based in Birmingham and I read somewhere that they are offering 3 IUIs and for sure it's 1 IVF funded. My FS said they are still funding but it could cease any time now Oh my, so you have had to go private and pay for everything because funding stopped?? it's so sad.

I think I have made my mind up though... IUI it is. In our next appt DH has to do an IUI test run to see how his hold up. She said if they prepare well then we can go for IUI... if not, then IVF it shall be. So I could be right behind you with the IUI! do let me know how you get on.

x

 

[lizlemon]

As far as I know in the UK it is normally recommended 3 IUI with stimulation attempts. Our doctor (private as our NHS is no longer funding) said if you take 100 couples by the end of 3 cycles 60 should be pregnant. The chances of getting pregnant after this is less likely as it suggests something else is going on, like sperm and egg incompatility, as so he recommended IVF after that.
I am 33 nearly 34, and we have sperm issues, DH sperm fluxuates from 7million to 22 million. Starting first IUI in a weeks time.

Which part of the country are you in? and are they still funding? When we went to the NHS hospital before funding pulled they were v keen to go straight to IVF, which is common as if you are both good success candidates it inflates their stats.

we personally wanted to try IUI first as it is less drugs to begin with and hopefully will ease us into fertility treatment.....
you!

Oh thanks so much! that sounds a lot more positive than the stats I had been looking at which were around the 10% mark per go. I am based in Birmingham and I read somewhere that they are offering 3 IUIs and for sure it's 1 IVF funded. My FS said they are still funding but it could cease any time now Oh my, so you have had to go private and pay for everything because funding stopped?? it's so sad.

I think I have made my mind up though... IUI it is. In our next appt DH has to do an IUI test run to see how his hold up. She said if they prepare well then we can go for IUI... if not, then IVF it shall be. So I could be right behind you with the IUI! do let me know how you get on.

x

yes private is expensive and we have forked out over a grand so far before even starting the treatment.

Good luck with DH swimmers 'boot camp' as our fs called it! This whole thing is nerve racking and expect lots of stops and starts. The hardest thing I have found is thinking we know what's what and then something different comes along to put a spanner in the works. My DH sperm fluxuates so much that one test (NHS)its icis IVF(devestated, no tests no explaination, then funding goes within a week), then its IUI first meeting with private fs(very happy with this news), then potential IVF as sperm too low after being ill(devestated again), then back to IUI when it had recovered enough. A really roller coaster, fx that I am on the home straight, but I think not for a while

 

[Imaan]

Oh my goodness! you have been on a rotten emotional rollercoster. On the positive though, at least it gives you the chance to go for IUI now and at least his are not permanently on the down low. Be sure to keep us informed as to how you get on. Wishing you all the very best

 

[readyformore]

Hi there.
I did IUI for my first child. I was actually going through my IVF classes when I got pregnant with my fourth and last IUI cycle. I was younger, only 25 at the time. But, glad that I tried it. As I recall, IVF takes quite a while to get started. You could always do IUI while getting prepared to do IVF, just in case it fails. That why you're not wasting time.

Good luck to you!