IUI success rate question

[floofymad]

Hi,
We're currently on last cycle of clomid and thinking IUI might be suggested.
I've seen lots of people in the unexplained category been told to try this first, however aren't the chances of it working only about a 10% success rate?

If so, what is the point in it? Isn't that lower than trying naturally?...

Also, Why is it lower than the chances of trying naturally?...shouldn't it be higher?

Thanks
Floof

 

[hollyw79]

floofymad~ I've heard quite a few different answers on this- Usually success rates are about 20-25% if there are problems which means you have an equal shot sort of to those not taking anything or needing anything. My doctor said if you have known issues- it's lower- but for unexplained fertility- up to 40% success rate. No matter what- an IUI is going to help your chances- it puts the best of the best sperm right up where they need to be- they don't need to travel and are not being dragged down by excess fluid- that right there increases your odds. Usually a doc does Clomid in conjunction with an IUI bc Clomid dries up your CM and can actually in some ways DECREASE your odds of getting pregnant without the IUI. My doctor was very optimistic about my DH and I even though he had a slightly low sperm count and low morphology. Clomid and IUI worked on the 1st try for us thankfully- but very sadly- I just miscarried at 7 weeks It's been very hard- but I will UNDOUBTEDLY do Clomid/IUI if we don't get preggo on our own within 3 cycles. Best of luck dear!

 

[Flake-y]

Hey...

I think everyone's opinion of IUI is very different, & every clinic will give you different odds too!

In my case, I wish we hadn't bothered with our 2 IUIs, as when we eventually did IVF, the sperm wasn't binding to the egg properly, so IUI would probably never have worked for us. Although that's not something that could have been picked up without doing IVF.

Certainly the IUI does put the best sperm into the right place, although with unexplained infertility, the problem might not be solved by doing the IUI same as what we discovered. Think that's why the odds are so low with IUI & unexplained (my clinic is 10%), cause the problem might be caused by something that IUI can't fix. Although it might not be, & might work first time! There's no way of knowing.

Wishing you all the best of luck with whatever you do though.

 

[floofymad]

Thank you Hollyw and Flake-y

We're classed as unexplained, but I have stage 3 endo. They state that it shouldn't be affecting our fertility cause it's not on my ovaries or tubes.
Good luck to both of you x

 

[PCOSMomToTwo]

I have PCOS, although I do not have any of the side effects associated with the disease. Which if I hadn't had a blood test they would have never known what was wrong with me. Shockingly enough, my last blood test (in January) came back completely normal -- although the doctor informed me that this doesn't mean I don't still have PCOS. Fertility is a confusing subject ... I think that's because our bodies can change month to month for no reason. It would explain why some people can go years TTC and then all of a sudden get pregnant.

I believe in giving IUI a shot. Some people just need an extra boost! For me, I don't think it's PCOS that has stopped me from becomming pregnant. I am convinced it's because of two things: tilted Uterus (therefore hard to get to) and possible volitile enviroment for the sperm. I believe the sperm die before finding the opening.

In this case, IUI is a blessing. In 2008, after 6 long depressing years of TTC, I got pregnant after 2 IUI's. It was literally the 2nd month of trying through that clinic. Another thing is ... IUI is cheap in comparison to IVF. I say give it a shot ... at least a couple times Good luck! Sorry for the novel

PS- Injectibles can increase your odd's of getting pregnant up to 30%. Also, Femara is MUCH gentler than Clomid.

 

[floofymad]

Thanks PCOSMomtoOne,
What does Femara do?..
Clomid is killing me for 2 weeks a month, so will ask about that.
Wonder what they'll say my chances are with endo and IUI?...

 

[Flake-y]

Femara does the same as clomid, but with less side-effects, ie doesn't dry up the cm. I had it for both my IUIs & had no side-effects whatsoever!

 

[PCOSMomToTwo]

Thanks PCOSMomtoOne,
What does Femara do?..
Clomid is killing me for 2 weeks a month, so will ask about that.
Wonder what they'll say my chances are with endo and IUI?...

Femara is a DREAM compared to Clomid and they do the EXACT same thing. I took Clomid for a year before switching fertility doctors and he recommended Femara. WHAT A RELIEF! The worst thing I notice is a smidge of a headache. When I was on Clomid ... I could list 20 side effects.

 

[babyfever27]

Hi floofymad,

I stage 3 endo as well and am now on IUI #3. I have used clomid for all of the cycles also. I live in southern california and my RE is very well recommended and he insists that clomid has a better success rate than femara in conjunction with iui. So I decided to try clomid once more even with the side effects... I am using repronex as well day 9, 11,and 13 also.

I am now on CD11 and will be doing my IUI on 2/28 or 3/1...

Good luck to all!

 

[crystal443]

Hiya,

I'm classed as unexplained as well and we were told to skip IUI altogether and go straight to IVF. We were given a 5% chance of IUI working for us and we were also told the reason the percentage is low is because I am unexplained meaning I ovulate and everything works fine so the only thing IUI does is put the washed sperm into my uterus which TBH doesn't do me a lot of good.

Just ask alot of questions when your being given different options, we were told we could try 2-3 cycles of IUI if we wanted to but chances were slim it would work. We'll be going ahead with IVF in March or April and have been told we would have a great chance of getting pregnant. The problem with Unexplained is that there are no clear answers...good luck with it all!!

 

[moochacha]

I think the success rate depends on a few factors from the couple undergoing the IUI, like sperm, egg quality, tubes, age, lifestyle and environment choices etc.

DH and I are probably going to skip IUI and go straight for IVF next year.

 

[floofymad]

Thanks very much everyone. Lots of factors to think about! x

 

[looknomore]

hey floofymad- just to point out- Clomid is not suggested for endo and causes it to flare up making things worse. Letrozole is suggested for women with Endo. And if u have endo its not unexplained. Stage 3/4 endo definitely has an impact on fertility even if its not on tubes/ovaries. Women with endo have higher NK killer cells, prostaglandins and immune issues which hamper fertility. The impact of endo on fertlity is so complicated that its not understood my most OBs.

I think u should move to IUI though IVF works best with endo stage3/4

xx

 

[floofymad]

hey floofymad- just to point out- Clomid is not suggested for endo and causes it to flare up making things worse. Letrozole is suggested for women with Endo. And if u have endo its not unexplained. Stage 3/4 endo definitely has an impact on fertility even if its not on tubes/ovaries. Women with endo have higher NK killer cells, prostaglandins and immune issues which hamper fertility. The impact of endo on fertlity is so complicated that its not understood my most OBs.

I think u should move to IUI though IVF works best with endo stage3/4

xx

Hey,
Thanks for your reply.
I've read and heard that I shouldn't be taking Clomid. FS said it could make things worse but suggested I take it anyway! Finished 3rd round and not going to take any more. I'm highly frustrated about the endo and fertility thing. FS says we're unexplained. Won't take into account my endo. They are claiming it's not on the 'important bits' so therefore no problem. How do I convince them that it could be the problem?...

 

[seoj]

It really just depends on your specific situation... we were told we had about 10% chance initially (due to age and possible issues)- but after my Clomid challenge and the u/s to check my # of follicles (much lower than "normal")- we were told we had about 1/2 the chance with any fertility help. So really, only 5% for IUI.

BUT, it felt right for us to at least give it a few tries- and low and behold, against all odds, we conceived the 2nd cycle!!!!!

Just listen to your gut. If it's saying to try, then it might be worth a shot. But if you want the better odds- IVF would be the highest. I really didn't feel 5% was it for us- honestly, I felt like naturally wasn't working at all, so why wouldn't IUI and Clomid give us much higher odds? Regardless of what the fertility specialists told us. They know their stuff for sure... but each situation can be so unique.

Really, it only takes that ONE good egg and ONE good sperm!!!!

Best of luck to you hun!!!! Hope whatever path you chose gets you that BFP soon!!!

 

[Swepakepa3]

Thanks PCOSMomtoOne,
What does Femara do?..
Clomid is killing me for 2 weeks a month, so will ask about that.
Wonder what they'll say my chances are with endo and IUI?...

Femara is a DREAM compared to Clomid and they do the EXACT same thing. I took Clomid for a year before switching fertility doctors and he recommended Femara. WHAT A RELIEF! The worst thing I notice is a smidge of a headache. When I was on Clomid ... I could list 20 side effects.

Seeing your information gives me hope....I am classified as unknown inferitility and i am stating Femara and IUI this cycle and after reading others opinion on IUI i stated getting nervous, but i'm glad to see you got a :BFP: on femara and IUI on the first try!! I hope I has as much sucess as you did!!

 

[MrsCompass]

floofymad~ I've heard quite a few different answers on this- Usually success rates are about 20-25% if there are problems which means you have an equal shot sort of to those not taking anything or needing anything. My doctor said if you have known issues- it's lower- but for unexplained fertility- up to 40% success rate. No matter what- an IUI is going to help your chances- it puts the best of the best sperm right up where they need to be- they don't need to travel and are not being dragged down by excess fluid- that right there increases your odds. Usually a doc does Clomid in conjunction with an IUI bc Clomid dries up your CM and can actually in some ways DECREASE your odds of getting pregnant without the IUI. My doctor was very optimistic about my DH and I even though he had a slightly low sperm count and low morphology. Clomid and IUI worked on the 1st try for us thankfully- but very sadly- I just miscarried at 7 weeks It's been very hard- but I will UNDOUBTEDLY do Clomid/IUI if we don't get preggo on our own within 3 cycles. Best of luck dear!

I WANT YOUR DOCTOR!!!! Hahahaha .. He/she sounds soooo positive. I wish they were all like that.

 

[CanAmFam]

>We're currently on last cycle of clomid and thinking IUI might be suggested.?<

im wondering if your clomid cycles were monitored (ultrasound to see if the clomid was doing its job.)


i do wonder how many people out there are on clomid unmonitored and feel like crap every month when they dont conceive naturally. clmoid is supposed to be magical, right?

ive been through 3 months of monitoring on high dose, 7 day clomid, along with other drugs to help get the clomid to work.... and the ultrasounds have shown my ovaries identical as to how they were prior to any treatment.


just wondering if your ovaries and follies were monitored and if all of your months still didnt work. that might change what the doctor plans to do/does.

my doctor will only do 4 months of clomid tops due to risk factors, so this is our last go. id kill for a chance to actually get to be able to try IUI this month ><, even if the % rate isnt/may not be what natural would be!


ive been told that it is near identical chances to naturally trying (18-21%). id say like everyone else that it has to do with your factors going into it, but for us i feel it can only help since i do not get eggs to grow or release because of my PCOS.

good luck to you!

 

[floofymad]

Thanks Canamfam,
No we weren't monitored at all. No bloods or scans or anything. Was back at FS today with no good news. It's in my journo if you wanna read.

 

[floofymad]

hey floofymad- just to point out- Clomid is not suggested for endo and causes it to flare up making things worse. Letrozole is suggested for women with Endo. And if u have endo its not unexplained. Stage 3/4 endo definitely has an impact on fertility even if its not on tubes/ovaries. Women with endo have higher NK killer cells, prostaglandins and immune issues which hamper fertility. The impact of endo on fertlity is so complicated that its not understood my most OBs.

I think u should move to IUI though IVF works best with endo stage3/4

xx

Hi looknomore,

Please can you read my journo to see what happened today regarding our entitlement to treatment and my endo etc. I really don't know what to do