Timed Intercourse+Clomid&Trigger VS IUI?

sarich2020

Hi everyone, 
Im due to start my next medicated cycled with clomid and trigger shot soon. I was wondering if anyone has experience with IUI and timed intercourse? Im wondering if I should just go straight to IUI. My first TI cycle resulted in a BFN . My insurance doesn't cover any fertility treatment. The out of pocket cost for TI is $1000 vs $1300 for IUI. Its not a huge difference if my chances are higher. 

suzycupcake

Do you have an Infertility diagnosis?

chichiphin

also - is there anything in the semen analysis or CM swab to indicate that they may need help getting past the cervix? if your SA is on the poor side or you have a CM swab that shows your CM is hostile to sperm, an IUI would probably be preferred to TI. 

sarich2020

Just the left sided hydro and uterine polyps. I had a laparoscopy and D&C to take care of those a few months ago. My RE told me that just because I only had the hydro on my left, it doesnt necessary mean that my right tube is "perfect". He also said that without assistance I might get pregnant on my own, once in 8-10 years. I didn't have a CM swab as part of my fertility testing, is that standard? My DH's SA was normal. 

chichiphin

my clinic always did post-coital swabs to see if the sperm was still swimming once it hit my CM. I don't think it is always standard though. If your RE is so pessimistic about your odds, I'd save up for IVF and continue with TI - but that is a personal choice only you can make. I'd also get a second opinion appt with an RE to see how they'd approach things (a second opinion never hurts!)

k_mama91

I second @chichiphin. Our diagnosis is different but mine was also related to my tubes along with SA results. IUI May have worked and I was told I could get pregnant “once in a blue moon”. For me, the higher chances with more advanced treatment was worth the extra cost vs spending money to *maybe get a BFP. But like she said, this is a personal choice only you can make. My treatments were also out of pocket, it’s defi a big decision to make. 

cashewchicken

Hi, I did 6 rounds of IUI before moving onto IVF. With the cost you’ve described for TI and IUI, I don’t see much benefit in TI. I’d move onto IUI. The benefit of IUI over TI is that in the case where CM is hostile to the sperm, it by passes it. And they also encourage you to have intercourse right after IUI, and leading up to it (but not immediately before, as that will lower the sperm count) so odds are better with IUI than just TI. And not all clinics perform CM swab testing as solution to that is IUI.

Another option instead of doing an ultrasound monitored TI (I’m guessing that’s what you’ve tried) is to do a medicated TI with OPK for a few cycles, before moving onto IUI. The cost is considerably lower as you don’t need to see your doctor. 

As for IUI, they say most people who become pregnant through IUI do so within the first 3 rounds. So after 3 rounds, I recommend moving onto IVF. 

sarich2020

Thanks for your replies! I decided to do the IUI this cycle and hope for the best. I'll give it a few months before moving forward with IVF

cgg2020

HI!

we did Letrozole+Ovidrel and timed IC.

After our first cycle failed (I say failed, but they did get me to ovulate and get a period, so that much worked), I BEGGED my REI to allow us to do an IUI.

He said based on my husband’s sperm values, there was zero evidence that it would help.   He said he didn’t feel  comfortable having us pay for a procedure that he knows would not help us any more than timed intercourse.  Had the sperm values been different, needed to be washed, or needed help getting there, it would be a different story, but in our case the count, motility, mobility, and speed were incredibly high.

I am now pregnant after the second cycle