Newbie question: Treatments for Unexplained Infertility?

missjul61

Hi, this is my first time posting on The Bump. DH and I have been TTC with charting and timed BD for 8 cycles. DH had great SA results (100  million sperm/mL) and my blood tests and HSG showed I'm ovulating regularly and have unblocked tubes.  I had a Dr's appt. today to discuss the results and she diagnosed us with unexplained infertility and gave me a prescription for Clomid.

If you were diagnosed w/ unexplained infertility, what treatment did you follow? I can't help but feel frustrated and am looking for a little bit of hope that things will be ok.

 

sweetcaroline10

Try posting this on the Infertility board as well.

We have also been diagnosed as unexplained.  Our first step was a clomid cycle with an RE.  

Couple of important things for clomid cycles, are you being monitored? They should be monitoring you to make sure clomid is actually working, to make sure it is not thinning your lining and for b/w.  

It is def. frustrating, but hang in there, it sounds like you have taken the first steps and actually have a direction now.

Good Luck! 

missjul61

Thank you for the reply. I will also post this on the Infertility board.

I haven't yet started the clomid but will on my next cycle. My OBGyn wants to see me again after my 1st cycle on the med but she didn't say anything about bloodwork.  She says if that cycle doesn't work I have a choice to stay on Clomid for 2 more cycles or be referred to a reproductive specialist (her office doesn't perform any insemination procedures).

MrsPalmer05

 We are currently seeing and RE. Next cycle will be my first with Clomid. We are combining it with IUI for maximum results. We both appear to be totally healthy also.

angiewolf03

We are also diagnosed Unexplained Infertility too.  We both are normal.  I do have MTHFR which leads to increased miscarriages but I can't even get pregnant first.  We've been trying since April 2008.  We're doing clomid and IUI's through an RE.

Meepit

I'm a little surprised your doc was willing to diagnose you with infertility before a year of trying.  (unless you're 35+)  

There is good information on the IF board, but bear in mind that most of the ladies there had been TTC for more than one year before they even saw their doctor about it.

Best of luck with the clomid! 

dolphinsmakemesmile

DH and I have also been diagnosed with unexplained infertility.  We weren't even referred to a RE until a year of trying (I'm 30 and he's 35).  That was last year.  This past year, we had all those tests too including a lap for me (to ensure no endo-I barely had any, doc said this is not why we haven't gotten pg).   DH's SA was great too (I think between 60-80, which doc said was fabulous), can't remember was normal was (is it 40 count?).  So, he said either we could continue to try on our own and it is possible it could happen (although it hasn't for 2 years now), try IUI w/Clomid, or IVF.  He didn't really recommend one-said it was up to us.  I think we are going to see what happens on our own for the next couple months.  If not, in the new year, I think we'll try IUI w/Clomid.

I completely relate to feeling frustrated!  I asked him can't you just tell us what to do to fix it???  I was on the verge of tears.  He said he wishes he could, but we are both young and healthy and he was sure he could get me knocked up (his words, not mine).

 Things will be ok for you.  I usually lurk on the Infertility board.  GL to you!!!

missjul61

Thanks so much for all the advice. To answer some questions, no I'm not over 35 (I'm 29) and the Dr. was willing to run diagnostic tests on us because we were timing intercourse for 8 consecutive cycles (using FAM and ovulation predictor strips) and wanted to be proactive about things, which I greatly appreciated.

I wish you ladies the best of luck on your TTC journey. 

missjul61

kdodge423:

You haven't tried long enough to be considered IF (and just a fair warning, you may want to check with your insurance- many will not cover anything fertility related unless you have been trying for a year as you do not qualify as infertile yet). All you know if everything is fine- you have another 4 months before you reach that lovely infertile status.

But in any case, we are unexplained, and will be doing Clomid with IUI.

 

Thanks kdodge. I will check with my insurance asap. I know the cover infertility treatments at 50% but not sure about the timeframe of when they would cover so good point.

UMichGirl

KristenPalmer:

 We are currently seeing and RE. Next cycle will be my first with Clomid. We are combining it with IUI for maximum results. We both appear to be totally healthy also.

Could have written this post myself, except that we're giving ourselves until January to start the Clomid + IUI.  That will be cycle 19 for us.

islelily

missjul61:

kdodge423:

You haven't tried long enough to be considered IF (and just a fair warning, you may want to check with your insurance- many will not cover anything fertility related unless you have been trying for a year as you do not qualify as infertile yet). All you know if everything is fine- you have another 4 months before you reach that lovely infertile status.

But in any case, we are unexplained, and will be doing Clomid with IUI.

 

Thanks kdodge. I will check with my insurance asap. I know the cover infertility treatments at 50% but not sure about the timeframe of when they would cover so good point.

 

We've been dx as unexplained infertility as well. We've been TTC since Feb 08 with one m/c in May 08. We were able to start seeing an RE in February 09, but didn't start treatment until August 09. Both of our tests came back fine (got my thyroid under control as it was on the "high" side of normal).

We've done 2 cycles of clomid and natural intercourse and 2 cycles of clomid and IUIs. We were given options of natural intercourse, IUI, and IVF.

We wanted to try the least invasive/medically induced procedures first before moving on to something more extreme.

 

My sister and BIL have been having trouble TTC as well. Neither of their insurances cover IF, she's 29 and he's 27. It will be a year in January for them. They paid OOP for his SA to have some answers and they're doing what the OBGYN recommended of charting, timing, vitamins, etc. I agree with PP, beware of what your doctor does for you before the 1 year mark. Make sure that they can get it covered under something else before they proceed!

 

Good luck!