How many IUI's until success for most?

single journey

I had my first IUI just over 2 weeks ago and blood HGC just came back negative.

I had a great surge, estiadol 309 and FSH 54.4 per the fertility specialist this was really. OPK also noted a surge so I had the IUI the morning following that surge. I don't have POS or endometriosis and my hormones on day three of cycle prior were as follows:
FSH 6.6
Estradiol 39.1
Prolactin 20.38
All of which the specialist said was great, states I don't need any assistance from medications ect and we can just do the IUI with my natural cycle working. States is going to do this second round without medication again. I am going to Shady Grove Fertility so I know they have experience

HSG also came back that both tubes are opened

Other than my age of 42 with no chronic health conditions I wonder how successful IUI's really are and whether I should just go for IVF and not spend lots of money prior if little success. I just thought with my hormone level, no chronic issues ect. that this would not be a bad route to go
Was wondering what other peoples experience has been as I am new to this
Much thanks

tffo

I was a month away from turning 41 when I got pregnant by iui. It was my 8th try overall, although I had a chemical pregnancy after my second and also from ivf. I have to say though that it wasn't until just before my 8th try that my new RE discovered that I had endometriosis and an endometrioma. All my numbers were good so it was a total surprise. But after he found it and removed it, I got pregnant by iui and am due any day now. I did take meds though to up my chances by creating multiple follicles. At our age the issue is egg quality. Even if your levels are good, the odds are that any given month your egg isn't the best quality so the more you have as targets, the better chance you have of getting a good one. I had five mature follicles but I'm pregnant with one baby. Anyway, just wanted to say it is possible at your age, but don't be afraid to move to meds early if doesn't work right away. Femara and Gonal F in a combo worked for me. Good luck!

shelleyham

Hello ladies,
I too am 42 and started this journey at 41. Had an accidental pregnancy with someone I was dating over the summer which ended in miscarriage at 10 weeks, but I had already had all the testing done to determine that I was a great candidate so my doctor insists that was actually a really good thing to know, that my body does everything needed on it's own to get pregnant. After recovering from my D&C procedure I did my first IUI attempt in December. Got a BFN first week of Jan and am doing another cycle with a different donor next week. I've read stories about ladies doing it 3 times and switching to IVF and then some as many as 10 before they got pregnant with IUI. I think it's a total crap shoot unfortnately.

My first IUI was similar to your situation - the perfect pick up of a surge naturally, Ultrasound next day showed my folicle at 22 and uterus lining at 11(they want a minimum of 8). They told me the sperm I was using was one of the best they'd seen in years, so by all accounts I should have been totally successful. The only thing my nurse and doc can think of is that I surge early and ovulate late, meaning that the sperm didn't live long enough to fertalize by the time the egg left the ovary. To remedy that this time they have me buying two vials - one to do after I pick up the surge, and one the next day as well. They have talked about trigger shot too to make sure they know the timing of the ovulation as another option, and then I'd only have to use one vial. It's all so stressful to be working so hard to get something that should be so natural, but unfortunately they do say my age plays the largest role. I'm determined to be a success story after 40 though, so I'll keep you posted on my progress.
I'm in Colorado.
Best of luck ladies!
Shelley

singlemommy2015

Hi- I will doing my first IUI this next week.
I am 37 and never been pregnant before.
I had open tubes and have been taking clomed as my egg count is low.
any advice??? I am nervous!

Pom Lover

I'm 34 and just had my second IUI. Doctor says everything looks great with my uterus and ovaries and tubes. First try, my cycle was perfect everything like clockwork but didn't get pregnant. This cycle, I was all over the place and my egg matured incredibly slowly so we wound up doing a trigger shot on day 23 of my cycle.. Now I'm 12 days away from finding out although last month I got my period before it was time to check. Hoping this time is successful.

dolphin84041

I just turned 41 at the end of December. I just had my first iui yesterday. But i was on 50mg of Clomid, had a follicle check on Monday, had two follicles on the right side. Had HCG trigger shot, Wednesday morning. Now i am in my tww.

single journey

Thanks for sharing all

I had my second IUI today but had already ovulated as my follicle was gone when I went back today, day 12. I told the doctor I had a positive OPK on day 10 when I saw him on day 11 but he told me they were not accurate and to save my money, turns out it was accurate. He said it looks like I ovulated just that morning on day 12 and did the IUI anyways though my labs did not show a surge, probably because I surged on day 10 a day they didn't check labs because they started me on day 11, since I surged day 12 last month.

Wishing you all the best, it sure is a trying process

JaneXDoe

I was 42 when I got pregnant from IUI after 5 tries-- and I have a beautiful, healthy son, so I am here to tell you, it can definitely happen.

But I will also say, it helps if you have a great Doc, who you trust.

I did alot of prep-- including the dreaded 'ink' test- I even did some acupuncture, I just prepped my body as best I could.

But ultimately, the Dr thought the IUI would work, so I trusted her, and went for it--

I tried 2 natural, 2 w- clomid w- HCG trigger, and then the 5th (and successful!) with 10 days injectables + HCG shot.


My Dr also would remind me to try to infuse some love in the process- it is so easy to get fixated on #'s and test and so on-- that it becomes so clinical- try to find some love & humor in the process, because remember, you are creating life!
best to you!

single journey

Thanks JaneXDoe

I appreciate you sharing your story, gives me hope! I go for my third IUI this week if all goes well.

I think my doctor is more concerned with the IVF due to my age, everything else has been great. Studies state that after 2-3 failed IUI's IVF should be pursued after a certain age. I still believe I have time in that sense, I am very healthy and have no chronic conditions.

The past 2 days I have had high fertility readings on my digital OPK, expecting Peak fertility reading tomorrow which is also the day I start back with ultrasound and blood work, so I will know more tomorrow. I ovulated from the left ovary the last two tries maybe this time I will ovulate with luck from the right ovary!

So far my body is doing everything it is supposed to be, I truly believe one of these days pregnancy will happen! I've been rested up this time around, just returned from a cruise and still have a few more days off work!

BebeJackson38

Hello all. I would just like to say hang in there. I am 38, almost 39 and got pregnant on my second try of IUI. I ovulated from my right ovary after I was told it may have been blocked and sperm count was only 7.9!! Good luck and baby dust!

BebeJackson38

Hello all. I would just like to say hang in there. I am 38, almost 39 and got pregnant on my second try of IUI. I ovulated from my right ovary after I was told it may have been blocked and sperm count was only 7.9!! Good luck and baby dust!

stockto

I had my 4th IUI last week - two back-to-back. I'm 38 and hoping this time works, as IVF is incredibly expensive. Good luck to all!

Pom Lover

Had two Unmedicated and two medicated cycles (one clomid cycle and one femara/menopur cycle) of IUI's so far with no luck. And I do believe it is luck. My last attempt on low dosages of the meds, I had 13 follicles mature on my first ultrasound, stopped the meds, and three matured fully before the HCG trigger. I am 34 and just think it's a matter of time and hope it's sooner rather than later. Doctor has me on a halved dose of femara and 2/3 dose of menopur for attempt number five. He keeps saying I don't need IVF bc I'm supposedly "so fertile" based on my response to the meds, but it's frustrating to have it continually not work. But then my mom reminded me that at age 32, it took her six months of trying with constant baby dancing to get pregnant with me, so it's not impossible! Baby dust to everyone.