How many IUIs for success?

runfast

I'm wondering if anyone got pregnant with a 2nd or 3rd IUI or if it makes more sense to move to IVF. I know everyone is different, but just curious!

tvh1982

Hi @runfast, I wasn't succesful and after 5 (after 3 they found out I had PCOS so needed hormones to get preggers, sp tried 2 more with hormones) I swithced to IVF and wished I've done that before.

Yet my friend got pregnant after her second try, she also has PCOS.

So I would say go with your gut, your heart and mind may wonder off, but your gut is useually right.
GL on your journey!

Tulips29

I also didn't have any success with them. I tried 3 IUIs with injections before moving on to IVF. Also wish I did IVF sooner because I also have PCOS and my current doctor said I'd most likely never have success with IUIs. I guess it all depends on your diagnosis and what your doctor recommends. Success rates for IVF are much higher, but they are not impossible with IUIs. Good luck with whatever you decide! 

riveridgional

I had unexplained infertility. We didn't do IUIs thanks to my husband's super sperm (it wouldn't increase our chances of success above the standard deviation of TI v IUI), but I did 3 rounds of Clomid (2 unmonitored with my OB). From my first monitored round of Clomid (after a break from the other 2), we determined I didn't respond any better than my natural response (we monitored one natural round and did a trigger shot), and Clomid thinned my lining.

So, I did 3 rounds of injectables, and I got pregnant on my last round. I really thought my last round had no chance of working and that I must have had an issue that only IVF could surpass. I was glad to be proven wrong. The third round was definitely going to be my last before we took a 3 month break and started the IVF process.

I say go with your gut, but also look at your finances and any insurance coverage (I was completely OOP). I definitely wouldn't do over 3 IUIs with the same medication regime as the chances of success go down after that. But, unless you have IVF coverage for insurance or you don't have to worry about money, I'd try at least one more round of IUI.

Of course, I don't know what your diagnosis is, the current medication regime and potential for others in the future, or your chance of success for an IUI by your doctor (on injects, mine was 20% with TI and 22% with IUI; chances with Clomid are much lower. I want to say my RE told me the highest it would be would be 10% [or 8?] but due to my response that round, I had less than a 2% chance). I think you should sit down with your RE, discuss statistics, and go from there. In that discussion, remember that a perfectly fertile couple has a 20% chance of conceiving on any given cycle. 

ZoeFer

I have PCOS. After two rounds of Letrozle+TI, we did one IUI with Letrozole and it was BFN. Then due to some insurance problems, we had to give a break and we tried Letrozole+TI few more times. My last cycle, I was completely hopeless, waiting for my next IUI cycle and trying to find ways to finance IVF OOP and I got BFP for the first time. As others said, I think it highly depends on your diagnosis, your insurance coverage etc. For us, I think IUI did not increase our chances compared to TI. And I knew I wanted to try more before moving to IVF, I was not completely ready to go that route yet. 

NurseTMD85

Apparently I am success story that is unheard of. I have unexplained infertility. I got pregnant on my 6th IUI cycle. All using clomid. On my last cycle I took it days 4-8, instead of 5-9. I have no idea if that did the trick or not.

ultratomato

I had 6 iuis 3 on clomid and 3 on injections and was successful with first ivf pregnant now with twins. 

Drove2u

I have unexplained infertility and my husband had super sperm. I did 6 iuis no luck. One ended in an ectopic. So I kind of got pregnant. Got pregnant with my first IVF--fresh transfer. 

TheRealVeronicaSawyer

TW: Loss mentioned 

I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility so my RE wanted to go the IUI route. My first IUI was not successful. I got pregnant on my 2nd and 3rd IUIs, but I ended up miscarrying both times. No success on 4 or 5. My insurance was only going to cover one more. I got pregnant from my 6th IUI, and I'm now 16 weeks pregnant. BTW, I did letrozole, injectibles, and trigger. Best of luck to you!

mskeenan

Hello ! *warning - loss mentioned ** I actually got pregnant on my 3rd medicated cycle which was an IUI (previous two cycles were timied intercourse with meds ) . Unfortunately that pregnancy was a chemical pregnancy . I did another IUI after that that didn't work out so we made the jump to IVF . I don't regret trying IUIs first at all . I'm glad I did . I know some people look back and wish they hadn't wasted time but I would have always wondered if a cheaper option would have worked out for me . We just couldn't justify spending more money on more cycles with a success rate lower than IVF so we made the jump . Everyone situation is different of course so you will make the decision that is right for you . I wish you the best of luck !!! 

BrightenMySky

lurking here/losses mentioned

I got pregnant on IUI #3 that unfortunately ended in a loss at 11 weeks.  I had a CP with IUI #5.  Currently in the TWW from IUI #6.  I've done the same meds each time.  I respond well to Clomid, and my RE said the studies that show decrease in chances of success after 3 IUIs generally uses different meds in the later IUIs, so it's not actually indicative of your odds if you are responding well & keep going with the same meds.  (Haven't reviewed all this myself, just what I was told.)  

JDW0325

I actually got pregnant with my first IUI. Did femara and trigger shot with it.

laur2835

I had hypothalamic ammenorhea from running so I did 3 IUIs with injectables right off the bat....all unsuccessful. Did 1 round of IVF with fresh transfer and got pregnant on the first try. I wish we could have just started with this since it was the same protocol anyway, just a higher dose! Good luck!!

msirni0

2 IUIs no success. I am now 7 weeks pregnant after my first round of IVF.

hispenguin

With my daughter we got pregnant with our first IUI, this time we got pregnant with our second IUI.

LynnNJ

I have friends that had success with their  first  iui.  They were in their  30s at the time.

  I wasn't expecting success with  3 that I did because of my age (41 at the  time)  and the  fact that my eggs supply/quality was borderline (according to a test  I took.) There  was   only a 1% chance of success. I really did  the  IUIs to meet insurance requirements before moving on to ivf,  which  I was told the  only way  I would likely get pregnant.  So it really depends on your  age and your physical situation. I did  PGD testing with the embryos and got pregnant after the  first transfer at 42 years old.  So it might not hurt to do another iui or 2. Depending on your age and egg quality,  that might determine  whether you get pregnant  and whether you  have a successful pregnancy.

  However ivf can  be  a long  process  as well, depending on if you do  a fresh transfer or frozen.  If you  doctor determines  that  the  chance of success is low with an iui,  you might want to move to ivf.