u/CuriousCat783

In summary, my husband and I have been TTC for about 18 months now, with some breaks in between. We’ve actively TTC (tracking ovulation) for a total of 15 months. We took the last two months off because of a ureaplasma/yeast infection/BV diagnosis. We have both undergone treatment for all 3 diagnoses. We have never had a single, even faintly positive, test.

TREATMENTS SO FAR
We tried three months of Clomid under the supervision of an RE. Month 1 was Clomid alone, month 2 was Clomid + luteal progesterone, month 3 was Clomid + luteal progesterone + luteal estriadol.

TESTING
Other than minor hyperthyroidism and low-ish Vitamin D levels, for which I’m taking Levothyroxine and Vitamin D/K2, all bloodwork, semen analysis, genetic testing, and anatomical scans (HSG, SIS, vaginal ultrasound) have come back normal. I ovulate every cycle. To my knowledge, I don’t have PCOS or endo.

CURRENT DOCTOR
Our current specialist diagnosed us with unexplained infertility around September/October of 2025. After all of the testing we’ve done, he said that there’s no point in doing IUI. He said that for unexplained infertility, we should jump straight to IVF.

IVF CONCERNS
I am petrified of needles. Truly petrified. Every time I get my bloodwork done, it’s a nightmare. I am also concerned that this is a money grab on the doctor’s part. The doctor never tested me for ureaplasma, which was probably the cause of my recurrent yeast infections. (I’d get a yeast infection almost every month when we’d have more frequent sex during my fertile window.) The doctor hasn’t recommended a second semen analysis and has been dismissive of my interest in a sperm DNA fragmentation test (which I think is relevant because my husband was on Dutasteride for hair loss for two years leading up to and 9 months during our TTC journey).

“SECOND” OPINION
I did a video consult with a second specialist, and his conclusions were the same as our original doctor, but he was open to a sperm DNA fragmentation test. He also sent me a list of helpful supplements, which my original specialist never did.

SECOND-SECOND OPINION
I have an in-person appointment scheduled with another specialist later this month. I have spoken to her in the past when trying to find a specialist, and I really like her. She worked for a huge hospital near me, which has a great reputation across the country, and she started her own practice. We ended up not going with her initially because my husband had already scheduled his semen analysis with the specialist we ultimately went with, and I was in a rush to see someone, ANYONE!

TLDR/QUESTION:
If you decided to get a second opinion, what made you seek it out? Did a second opinion make any difference in your TTC journey; if so, what difference did it make?

ETA: I’m 32

ETA 2: I am new to this group, but can I just applaud how amazing and supportive you all are?!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! 💕🙏

My original test was through Evvy, which I know now isn’t quantitative. I underwent treatment, and it seems to be working. I’ve always had dark brown, sticky spotting before my period for about a week. This is my first cycle post-treatment, and for the first time in my life, I started my period like a normal person with zero spotting! 🤯 I didn’t even know this was a possibility!!! And doctors always dismissed my spotting as normal. COMMON DOES NOT EQUAL NORMAL!

Anywayyyy…

When I retest, should I do so with Evvy again? Or should I get a better test?

Also, since the UP treatment (10 days 100mg doxy 2x per day followed by 1g azithro, then 500mg azithro and 500 mg azithro) has azithromycin which usually gives me a YI and I was experiencing recurring YIs, I’m taking 3 courses of fluconazole 72 hours apart at my doctor’s recommendation. So when should I retest?

TLDR: Should I use Evvy to retest, and if so, how long after YI treatment should I retest for UP?