u/Glittering_Quail_742

I (39F) have done three IUIs, all of which have been unsuccessful. The more I look into IVF, the less I want to put my body or bank account through that. I guess I’m wondering if there are any other women in this group with similar stats as me who have found success with IUI after multiple failures. For reference, I have PCOS and hypothyroidism, both of which are controlled with meds (levothyroxine, metformin, inositol) and diet (though I could be more stringent with that). My latest labs put my a1c, T3, and T4 in the normal ranges. I’m also using frozen donor sperm, which makes timing super important bc it doesn’t survive as long as fresh sperm.

Would you continue trying IUI if you were me, or would you move on?

For my first two cycles, my doctor had me using Letrozole (7.5mg), but my follicles barely responded to it. This time, I’m using Clomid (100mg). Has anyone had a similar switch in meds and seen their follicles respond better?

I’ve now had two IUIs, and before I go into my 3rd (and possibly last), I’m wondering if there’s anything I should be asking my clinic about. I’m taking a two-month break for financial reasons, and also because all around I feel like shit, but these are my stats for the first two:

IUI #1: 5mg Letrozole CD 3-5 7.5mg Letrozole CD 12-16 (follicles didn’t respond to the lower dose) Trigger on CD 16 (21mm follicle, 18mm follicle) IUI 36 hours later Donor sperm: 24 MOT 200mg progesterone suppositories until hCG beta 2 weeks later

IUI #2: 7.5mg Letrozole CD 3-5 Trigger on CD 12 (18.5mm) IUI 36 hours later Donor sperm: 18MOT 200mg progesterone supp until hCG beta 2 weeks later

Prior to beginning IUI #1, my clinic didn’t do a saline ultrasound or an HSG bc I didn’t have a history of failure to conceive (I’d never tried with past partners despite being 39). Should I be requesting these tests? Before or after #3 if so?

I plan to switch donors for the next cycle. My preferred donor has inventory again (and reported pregnancies), and I want to give it a shot.

I’ve only had ultrasounds on CD 5 (baseline), CD 12 and 16 (follicle monitoring for IUI #1), and CD 12 (follicle monitoring for IUI #2). Is this everyone’s typical experience? Should I be requesting extra monitoring between trigger day and IUI day, or would it make a difference?

TIA!

And man, this process is far more mentally and emotionally draining than I anticipated. I’m usually pretty good at handling disappointment, but these two failures have shattered me. I can’t imagine the strength some of you have had to muster to get through your journeys bc I know comparatively, I’ve barely dealt with anything.

I’m on my 2nd IUI (beta is Thursday), but I have this gut feeling it didn’t work. At 12dpo I don’t even have the faintest of second lines on my at-home test. As I’m preparing for the 3rd, I’ve been considering the possibility of trying a different donor. My first two IUIs used the same one. Has anyone done this and seen success? Or should I stay the course and try my original donor a third time?

Some context: This is my 2nd IUI (7/23), but I didn’t test at home on my 1st IUI in June at the behest of my clinic.

I’m currently 7dp trigger (1ml of Pregnyl taken 36 hours prior to IUI), and I took a pregnancy test for the first time. There’s only the very faintest of second lines, and I’m wondering if this is unusual. Everything I’ve read and been told by my clinic is that it takes 10-14 days before the trigger isn’t detectable any longer.

Is this cause for concern? Any thoughts?