Unexplained Infertility, TTC 3+ Years - anything else i should do?

[lola13]

I'm almost to the end of my rope with TTC. Sorry to repeat my situation again - 3+ years TTC, normal cycles, ovulate on my own, ovarian reserve test fine, HSG shows 2 clear tubes, DH's SA was fine. Two cycles on clomid were unsuccessful and now starting one more clomid cycle with IUI this time.

My question is, are there any other tests I should have? I wonder if my doctor is doing enough. I can't deal with being unexplained any longer. There must be a problem, and I need to understand if I should throw in the towel.

Thanks everyone.

 

[CurlySue]

To be honest there are not really any other tests which would tell you what you don't already know, that your tubes are open, you ovulate and your husband's sperm is fine.

The 'diagnosis' part is done and dusted, now. They can't test egg quality until they see your eggs, nor can they see how your husband's sperm reacts with your eggs unless that is under a microscope. They're just trying things, now. Clomid. Then IUI. Then, after that, most likely IVF. There is not really anything they can diagnose at this point because you ovulate, the path to your uterus is clear and your husband's sperm seems fine. I suppose they could do a post coital test but to be honest I don't know of many hospitals that do that.

Also, they might look for endometriosis but really, if you're ovulating fine and all is clear in your tubes then that won't be what's stopping you from getting pregnant. Endo is only an issue when it blocks the tubes, etc.

It's just a waiting game, now. I know it's frustrating. At this point it's just a case of ticking things off. Clomid, check. IUI, check. IVF? If that's what you want that would be your next step. At least then they'd see your eggs in a lab; would see how your husband's sperm does with them.

The truth is, sometimes there just isn't a problem that can be diagnosed, hence the term 'unexplained'. Everything points to a woman being able to get pregnant but she can't. It's just a case of helping you get what you want, at that point.

 

[TrixieLox]

Have you had an ultrasound for an antral follicle count? I had loads of tests with no abnormal results until I had an ultrasound which showed a low AFC. It actually might not mean anything but it's the only abnormality they've found so far... we're now going for IVF.

 

[lola13]

CurlySue - Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I don't believe the clomid is helping me since I ovulate on my own. I will try to drum up some more patience to see myself through a few IUI cycles.

Trixie - I haven't even heard of that, but I'm going to look into it now.

Good luck to both of you & thank you.

 

[Unexplained]

Lola13 - I have been TTC for 3 years this month. My story seems very much the same as yours when you posted the thread. Any changes since this post? I am considering IVF, but really scared that it will result in the same outcome as everything else i have tried. My husband told me recently that he is willing to do IVF if that I am ready. Need advice.

 

[shelleyapple]

Hi,

i have just come onto here to post another thread and reading down at everyone elses stories i am not on my own with the "unexplained" diagnoses xx

 

[LaRockera]

I've been trying for thirteen months, and even though both my OBgyns don't seem willing to diagnose me with unexplained just yet, they have mentioned it to me for future reference.

So what I was told is that basically, if you ovulate by yourself Clomid is more a hustle than help, and that IVF will actually help them understand what exactly's going on, because they monitor they process step by step. This is why many couples with unexplained go on to conceive their second child naturally, as they were actually able to pinpoint underlying problems through the IVF process.

Good luck to all, girls.

 

[Want2bMum]

hello girls,

I am not an expert nor TTC for a long time but I have seen a documentary in which a couple with unexplained got some immune therapy...

I don't remember the title of the documentary nor the name of the treatment but I think it was something to do with an over immune response. I think this treatment doesn't work for the majority of people and I am not sure they consider it in the UK, this documentary was from the US I think...

But it is certainly something you can look at and discuss, for sure, if you do an in depth internet search you'll find experts in the field.

I wish you all good luck

 

[LaRockera]

Well, I certainly hope that the ladies that have been going through such torture (13 months can be incredibly hard, let alone double and triple this time) and their unexplained is immune-system-related (which is neither the only or the most common cause of UI) will respond to any such treatment, and have their babies soon enough.

What I have read is that at least 80% of all couples with unexplained succeed at some point or the other, and that some doctors call it subfertility because it merely means it takes longer for them to conceive.

It's hard enough as it is. Negative thoughts don't help, so ladies, please stay positive and optimistic (even though I know very well easier said than done).

 

[lovecutie1]

LaRockera, thank you so much for this encouraging post, I am also on unexplained category . sometimes I feel I can find the answer why it's not happening..... Soon I'll be going through IVF.

 

[Amber3]

I disagree with CurlySue. There is a lot that can still be done.
If you are unexplained then first of all you should find a doctor who is willing to find out what is wrong.
I would advise you the treatment which I myself am in. It is called NaProTechnology and is specialized in finding the underlying cause of the infertility and then treating it. This program has about 2-4 procent of their patients remain "unexplained" because usually infertility can be explained. I myself have 3-4 diagnosis which is not uncommon.
Here is a link you can look at:
www.fertilitycare.eu it has a nice little film on it
Also what CurlySue said about Endometriosis is simply not true. I would pass all the tests that you have passed but I still have endo and so does about 80% of women struggling with infertility. Only most people never know they have it. This number is from thousands of women who enter the NaPro-program and have laporoscopies done to see what is wrong. You can have all kinds of things wrong with you which are not so easy to diagnose.
I wish you all the best with finding out,
Amber

 

[Amber3]

To give you an example of NaProTechnology. I read a case story about a woman who had tried for several years to become pregnant. (at least 7 years) After a short while in NaProTechnology they could tell that she did not have any fertile mucus during ovulation. She was given a B6 supplement and got pregnant the next month.
Often times ordinary fertility doctors do not even look to find the cause before they put people on heavy stuff like Clomid.
Amber

 

[circlebloom]

I know this might sound too simple, but you might want to give Circle + Bloom's mind+body fertility audio programs a try. At a minimum I think they will help with the stress and emotional roller coaster that unexplained infertility causes! yourfertiltydeals has a current 20% off promotion for the program as well - just use fertlitydeals as the discount code to get 20% off

 

[lilmamatoW]

I have been doing my own research and came across fertileheart.com. The writer makes a lot of good points and so I am considering trying her methods for LTTTC.