Unexplained Infertility, No BFP after Over 2 Years TTC

[HopefulMom7]

Hi All! This is my first time posting in a forum like this, but I really need some feedback from others who may have been through similar struggles as my own. I am 30 and my DH is 31, and we have been married for 3.5 years. 27 months ago, we decided to ditch the pill. After 1 year of no BFP, he had a semen analysis done, and we were told that IVF was our only option. After grieving for about 6 months about these results, we scheduled a consultation with a Specialist, and he requested another semen analysis, which came back completely normal (Actually his count was above normal, and his motility and morphology were normal). I had a FemVue test done to see if my tubes were open, and to make sure I had no cysts. All came back perfect, open tubes, plenty of follicles, and no cysts. After continuing to try naturally for a few more months, we decided to move forward with our first IUI. Unfortunately, it resulted in a BFN. Due to unprofessional practices of this particular specialist, we decided to give it a break for a bit, and were hoping to get a surprise natural conception since they say nothing is "wrong" with us. So, here we are, about 5 cycles since the failed IUI. I have tried acupuncture and Chinese herbs, chiropractic adjustments (I heard this can help), exercising, diet modification, and nothing is working. I should mention that the last specialist we saw did two more semen analyses and both came back normal, so I'm thinking that is not our issue. But, I do have a 21-24 day cycle (almost always 21 days, but was able to extend it a couple of days with Chinese herbs), and I ovulate on day 13 or 14. I can't stop thinking that this may be what is causing the infertility, but the specialist I was seeing before said that there wasn't enough proof that the luteal phase defect to attribute the infertility to that. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation and have any advice for me as to what may work? Or what are the next steps I should take? Any success stories with unexplained would also be greatly appreciated Thank you so much for any input you may have!!

 

[Lues]

Me! Me!! I have a story for you. I'll give you the short(er) version

I came off BC and a year and a half later, no BFP. I also had a short luteal phase 8-or so days. I did my own research and went to my OBGYN, told them I wanted a 7DPO blood test to test for progesterone levels. She gave me a lot of crap about it, but I demanded and got it. It was low and I got a prescription for oral progesterone.

I took it, and could tell my levels changed, by boobs would get sore, my luteal phase lengthened to about 13 days. She said that was plenty, I said... but maybe not!

I did a LOT of research about progesterone at this point. One of it's big jobs is to make the lining of your uterus convert. And there is a lot of research that suggests that the level of progesterone in your BLOOD is not necessarily the same as what's in your uterus.

So I told my doc I wanted vaginal suppositories. She said no. I said, well, then I'm going somewhere else. The first RE I found wasn't really a big believer in the power of progesterone. (we're at about 2 years TTC at this point FYI) The second office was more on board with my thought process. While I was okay with IUI (which we did after learning I "MAY" have a problem with cervical mucous... another issue a lot of doctors don't think is a "real fertility problem"), I certainly didn't want to be doing IVF at this point. I'm not saying I WOULDN'T do IVF. But I didn't believe I would need to. I strongly believed my progesterone was a big part of the problem.

OKay... trying to keep this short(umm... shortER).... this office would do an ultrasound at 7DPO to see if my lining was converting. It wasn't. So we changed my progesterone to include the vaginal suppositories, checked the next month. Still wasn't, altered my progesterone checked the next month. this went on for almost 7 months before my l lining converted (I ended up on three types of progesterone).

Not that month, but the never next month I got my first BFP after what at that point was over two and a half years TTC.

Unfortunately, I miscarried (unrelated). But here's another amazing thing. We waited 4 months to try again, but when we did, with that same regimen of progesterone we checked at 7DPO, I had converted, and I got ANOTHER BFP the VERY FIRST MONTH.

So no WAY it was coincidence.

The ONLY two issues we treated are progesterone and my cervical mucous (which is was tested by a "post coital" which is even LESS believed in... almost NO ONE does them anymore)

My story is not implying that anyone has the exact same problems, but just to tell you that if a doctor doesn't believe that progesterone can affect fertility, and you believe otherwise... get another doctor.

Both my OBGYN and the first RE I saw told me progesterone wasn't worth my effort. And a post coital??! They likely would have smirked at me and shook their heads!

There is nothing wrong with looking at it the other way, but you want to be on the same page as your RE so you can feel like a team and all work together, not feel like you're fighting them.

"Unexplained Infertility" is a painful, confusing, overwhelming diagnoses. I got it a few times. But in my mind, I just didn't see my situation like that. My lining wasn't doing what it was supposed to do. That seemed like at least some form of an explanation. And I'm grateful to say that in my case I was right.

Good luck, don't give up. And NEVER let a doctor talk you in or out of anything. That's why they "practice" medicine, they don't "perform" it.

 

[HopefulMom7]

Lues: Thank you so much for your reply! I have waited so long to join a infertility community like this and I am hoping it will help me cope with the painful "diagnosis" of unexplained infertility. I, like you, don't believe in the diagnosis (well, not in my case at least.) I believe there has to be some explanation, and I don't want to stop until I figure it out. We are going to make an appointment with another specialist very soon, and I will make sure to mention the progesterone issue and the luteal phase in general. It's so comforting to hear that someone else with a similar story got their happy ending. It really seems like it is never going to happen.

 

[KatO79]

I'm am also a "diagnosed" unexplained infertility case. DH and I have been trying for 2 years, been through 6 failed medicated IUIs and are starting long protocol IVF (I'm currently downregulating and hoping to start stimming after my next appointment on Monday). I'm 36, DH is 38. My CD3 hormones are "normal for (my) age" and tubes are open. My cycles are super regular being 26-27 days 98% of the time (my LP is fine). DH's SAs have been normal to lower end of normal, depending on that particular day they did them.

I would say being "diagnosed" unexplained doesn't mean that there is nothing wrong, it just means that they don't have the means for testing everything, even in this day and age, and therefore don't know what the problem is which doesn't mean that a problem doesn't exist (because it clearly does). One of the nurses at the IUI clinic told me they simply can't test for everything plus they don't know everything about the process from fertlised egg to implantation. So you may never know the exact reason

But if you do feel that your LP is too short then that's definitely worth exploring. It could be the problem. Then again there could be something else going on that the doctors aren't able to test for (not to scare you or be negative, just stating a possibility). I do hope that it's only a matter of going on progesterone for you. Maybe you could also try a couple more IUIs while being put on progesterone? I'd say if you don't get a BFP within the first 3 IUIs, chances aren't looking good that IUI is going to work and you should consider looking into IVF at that point. If you're not satisfied with your specialist, get a new one. Try going to different ones and see if any of them are open to your suggestions and treat you like an individual.

I hope you soon get that BFP

 

[HopefulMom7]

Kat 079, Thank you for the reply. Yes, unfortunately, I know that the solution may not be as easy as progesterone for me. We have an appointment with a new specialist at the end of the month, so hopefully he will have a fresh perspective and more options for us. Wish me luck!

And I am hoping you get your BFP soon as well!!

 

[KatO79]

Kat 079, Thank you for the reply. Yes, unfortunately, I know that the solution may not be as easy as progesterone for me. We have an appointment with a new specialist at the end of the month, so hopefully he will have a fresh perspective and more options for us. Wish me luck!

And I am hoping you get your BFP soon as well!!

Good luck and thanks

 

[Beehappy2015]

I know you guys want a baby so bad, I do too... if your luteal phase is shorter than 12 days you wont get pregs, but that's an easy fix! Read up on vitex to balance your hormones. Also if after 3 cycles youre not pregs, then ask your dr to check your antibodies in your cervical mucos. I know it sounds weird, but some women have an immune response to the invaders (sperm) and kill them. But again there are easy ways to diagnose that as well. Good luck!

 

[cochy115]

Are you temping, OP? If you haven't tried that yet, I highly recommend you start. If you are, how are your luteal phases looking?