Success without hormones?

travelbugtravelbug Posts: 2
in LGBTQ+ Couples
Hi. We're new here. We begin our first try at all this next month and for now are not using Clomid or any other fertility drugs, just tracking surge and timing with our doctor (2 IUI treatments/cycle).

I wondered if anyone has had success with this method or any advice––I'm worried we may be wasting time not using the drugs, but at the same time, we don't want twins and I have friends who have hated the side effects.

Anyway, just starting out and nervous...

Comments

  • prbs2002prbs2002 Posts: 283
    Hi Travelbug, I am not using any medication either. I conceived naturally in May with donor 13900 but had an early miscarriage, but I figure that no medication was needed to conceive so am doing another unmedicated cycle this time (Hope to go for another iui in the next week or so). I have always wondered if everyone I read about using clomid and other drugs are using them just to up the chances, or if they actually need them. My fertility clinic didn't even mention using them after my ovarian reserve tests. I figure if everything is in working order, why interfere with it and risk multiples and side effects.
  • Wishing4babyWishing4baby Posts: 37
    Sorry to hear about your loss! As far as fertility drugs go I became pregnant after 5 cycles and 4 IUIs. I did 4 iuis with clomid and femera and none of those took and then I took a few months of and switched drs and donors (using 13900) and switched medications and tried gonal -f injectables and boom for pregnant! I just have birth to my son July 20th! The medications up your chances of getting pregnant by producing more egg filled follicles for ovulations thus upping your chances as well for multiples. My dr was very cautious and I only had a singleton but could have had twins since I ended up with 2 follicles that were of good size when I uses ovidrel to force ovulations. As for me I never had normal cycles until a few years ago and wasn't sure of o ovulated on me own or not and many woman do not hence the medications but I think they are also used to help up chances! Good luck to both of you women and lots of baby dust your way!
  • prbs2002prbs2002 Posts: 283
    Congratulations Wishing4baby! I am using 13900 too! I messed up my dates last month so September is hopefully the month for me.
    Any luck for you travelbug?
  • pols12pols12 Posts: 177
    Hey Julie! Glad to see you posting on here. I think we are going to try again this month, for the first time since our loss as well. I am so anxious. How are you feeling?

    As for medication vs natural, I think it depends on the doctor's suggestion and the patient's preference. Our 1st attempt, which resulted an our amazing baby girl, was unmedicated, as the doctor suggested that we try that route to see if we could be successful, based on test results, despite my endometriosis. And clear, based on my napping bundle of joy, it worked. Whe. We decided to try for a second, we elected to again try an unmedicated, but well-timed cycle. Again, that cycle resulted in a pregnancy, however, I lost the baby at 8 weeks. We are planning to try unmedicated again, as it seems to work for me...right now. But we, and out doctor, are definitely open to the idea of trying medicated cycles in the future.

    All of our (same sex couple) friends who have had babies or are pregnant used medicated cycles. For each of them, the process took multiple cycles and no one had twins. So they all think it is crazy that I have had 2 natural cycles and 2 pregnancies. Lol! Coincidentally, each of those friends also went to a fertility clinic where medicated cycles are considered standard protocol, whereas we see an RE with a private practice. Not sure if that is cause for a difference or not.

    I would love to hear how your journey goes travel Bug! Keep us updated, baby dust to everyone!
  • prbs2002prbs2002 Posts: 283
    Rebecca! I was just thinking about you and hoping we would see you back soon! I am monitoring now and hoping to inseminate over the weekend (I'm amused at the thought of conceiving on labor day... but thats just me!). Fortunately my RE is open 365, I keep seeing people over on baby center complaining that their's don't operate even on weekends! After they did all the tests they didn't even mention medicating which made me very happy. Here's to us both having healthy unmedicated pregnancies this month!
    Julie
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