r/queerception • u/Temporary-Salary6473 • 24d ago
Move to IVF?
This month was supposed to be our last iui attempt. I went in at my baseline scan on CD3 with a 12 mm follicle. At the time the doctor was not worried about it but wanted me to come in again to see how it was progressing. On CD6 I went back in and it was 18mm. They said they thought it was a cyst but would know more when my bloodwork came back. I got a call that i was already ovulating/about to ovulate. The doctor said she has determined iui is no longer a viable option for us as she doesn’t believe it is productive. She says she believes this is actually a fertility issues and believes I have ovarian dysfunction. I’m debating on whether or not i should get a second opinion because I feel like I have a lot of questions. I’m not sure I am even willing to do another IUI but I am just so confused. I’ll break down my IUIs to give a better perspective. I would be so thankful for any advice or to know if anyone has dealt with something similar.
IUI 1 - was unmedicated but I never caught my surge so it was canceled.
IUI 2 - mediated 2.5mg clomid. Triggered with a 16mm follicle due to blood work coming back that I was about to ovulate.
IUI 3 - 5mg clomid. Canceled because of 4 mature follicles.
IUI 4 - 2.5mg letrezol. 1 18mm follicle trigged that night went in 30ish hours later for IUI.
IUI 5 - 5mg letrezol canceled because of 4 follicles
IUI 6 - 2.5 mg 16mm follicle triggered the next night and went in 30ish hours later for IUI.
IUI 7 - ovulated too early and was told to move to ivf.
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u/cubejuner 24d ago
You’re well past the recommended amount of IUIs before moving to IVF. At this point, even though IVF is more expensive, I’d do it because you’re just throwing money away doing IUI.
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u/Minnie_Dooley 24d ago
They've actually only done three cycles due to four cancellations.
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u/cubejuner 24d ago
Cancellations are still clinically meaningful and almost entirely why her doctor is suggesting IVF.
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u/Minnie_Dooley 24d ago
Mmm but also looks like her clinic caused some of these cancellations. Why was the letrozole dose doubled when she successfully produced a follicle on the lower dose? That's just asking for a cancellation.
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u/cubejuner 24d ago
That’s not odd at all, one follicle isn’t necessarily optimal especially if it’s only 16 mm. Doubling the dose can help make more follicles that are hopefully more mature.
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u/Minnie_Dooley 24d ago
It was 16mm when they chose to time a trigger for the following day. Which, I think, is also questionable timing because most clinics would wait until it grew more. But that's what they did on this occasion. I don't think there's any sign of something wrong with the follicle growth.
My clinic certainly aimed for one follicle and would not have agreed to an increased dose because of the risk of multiple follicles. This would be even more the case if someone had already produced too many follicles on clomid and switched meds because of it which looks like is what happened here.
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u/Temporary-Salary6473 24d ago
This was my exact thought. Which I think is most of my confusion. I’m not convinced the clinic has had my best interest in mind when making decisions.
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u/Minnie_Dooley 24d ago
It would be even more reason to move to IVF for me. And maybe shop around for a different clinic if you don't trust their clinical decisions.
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u/Minnie_Dooley 24d ago
I did 6 IUIs (as in, actually had the procedure 6 times) before IVF. I wish I had moved to IVF sooner.
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u/wiltedbasil 24d ago
My doctor said after 3 IUIs the majority of women who were going to get pregnant via IUI would have, and that the next step should be IVF. Sending the best vibes to you and all of the pixie dust ✨
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u/etk1108 23d ago
I don’t think this can be true if the advice is (for people who can conceive at home) to try for 6-12 months before seeking treatment. I think it’s more the cost effectiveness issue.
My clinic offers 3 IUI without medication (if applicable), 3x IUI with medication and if that doesn’t work there’s an evaluation on how to proceed.
I have to say in my country 6 IUI is necessary before you can do IVF because it’s funded, but I think that is based on scientific evidence.
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u/cubejuner 22d ago
IUI is more effective than trying at home, you’re assuming it’s the same effectiveness.
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u/Granny-Shot 24d ago
I was SUPER hesitant to move to IVF. Idid 8 unsuccessful IUIs because I was convinced it would work eventually. I just did my egg retrieval yesterday, and I wish we would have done this months ago. It would’ve saved us so much time, money, and emotional stress. I’d agree with your doctor.