New here, need some advice & encouragement

Tulips29

Hello, 

I'm new to these message boards and am looking for some advice. Hoping someone here can relate to my story and offer their point of view. Husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for almost 2 years now with no luck. Granted, we were trying on our own for some time before seeking medical help. I have a long history with PCOS and have had it since I was young. As a result, I've never had a period unless I took birth control, which I have been on until last year. After that, I've been on clomid for a few months and still no luck. Recently, I started treatment at a fertility clinic. Took all the tests and everything looks normal. DH's sperm count is excellent. I did 2 cycles of IUI and I do daily gonal shots. 2 cycles have been unsuccessful and I'm getting a bit hopeless. I started on my 3rd cycle now and the doctor discovered a cyst on one of my ovaries. They say it doesn't look like it's anything and just continue with the cycle. However, I'm also being told that cysts do affect fertility and I might consider laparoscopy if the 3rd cycle is unsuccessful...or turn to IVF. My question is, has anyone else gone through this, or done a laparoscopy? Anyone else with similar history can share their story? All of this is taking an emotional toll on me and I'm trying my best to stay positive and hope for the best. Thanks! 

BrightenMySky

Hello and welcome.  I do not have experience with PCOS, but I have had (non-PCOS) cysts periodically.  I had one when I went in for baseline monitoring after my second failed IUI.  I know from reading this forum that some REs will put you on BCPs if you have a cyst, but mine was unconcerned since the bloodwork revealed the cyst was not producing estrogen.  So I was able to go right into my third IUI as planned.  When I went in for monitoring, I had a mature follicle and two that might catch up, but that did not seem as good as my prior cycles on Clomid, so I was generally disappointed (and the cyst had shrunk from about 40 to 35, but was still there).  /BFP warning/  In spite of the cyst/regardless of the cyst/who knows, the third IUI ended up being successful for us.  It is still very early (waiting on second beta results today), but all that is to say it can happen with a cyst.  

GL!

Tulips29

Thank you for sharing. What is BCPs? Sorry, I'm not familiar with all the acronyms I see in the forums. So happy the third cycle worked for you and am hoping it can work for me despite the cyst! 

BrightenMySky

No problem, I think either this board or the Trouble TTC board has a list of acronyms at the top, but BCPs is birth control pills.  FX for you this cycle!

ultratomato

I have pcos too. I have done three rounds of iui with clomid one recent round iui on follistim pen and ovidrel with all of them. Still no success. I have also had cyst but they were not concerned with them. I always got AF and last year AF stopped coming and then I was diagnosed. This process is fustrating but you gotta keep positive your time will come

plumeria05

@Tulips29 welcome.  I also have a cyst on my right side that my OB and RE have told me its just water filled.  Your RE will monitor the cyst and if they feel like it's dangerous then they will definitely tell you.  Ask them about it every time you go in for an ultrasound.  That's what I do.  Good luck. 

Tulips29

@ultratomato @plumeria05 thanks ladies. Going to be my third iui attempt next week so holding all fingers crossed! If that doesn't work I might look into removing cyst or turning to IVF. Good luck to you as well!

pamelated

@Tulips29 I also have PCOS and was diagnosed when I was young. I also don't get my period unless I'm on bcp. I've done 3 IUIs so far, and am planning my fourth for (hopefully) next week. Overall, this is my 5th medicated cycle (so far I've used Clomid, Letrazole, Bravelle, and Follistim). I've gotten cysts after every medicated cycle. It's not uncommon for the fertility meds to cause cysts. The first time it happened my RE had me take a month off and they went away on their own. For every other cycle I've been put on bcp for two weeks to a month, and they would go away. I haven't had a laparoscopy, but we are planning on moving to IVF if this IUI cycle is unsuccessful. The cysts are really frustrating because I am forced to keep taking breaks when I just want to keep trying, but in some sense I think it's made it less stressful because I do get some down time not to think about it. I have my FX for you!

Tulips29

@pamelated sounds like we're in the same boat pretty much. I also would hate taking breaks because I feel like time is slipping away from me. FX that this cycle will work for you as well! GL!