Endo and IUI

4legsRbest

Has anyone's RE spoken with them about the studies of endo and IUI success rates? My RE was initially pushing me toward IVF based on my age and dx but I had other plans - I guess that is what I get for listening to myself. So after our failed IUI cycle I called on Monday and he told about the super low success rates of IUI and endo and why he suggested IVF to begin with and since then I have been reading about this and am floored at the low success rates I am seeing. We are moving to IVF and scraping the other 2 IUIs we had scheduled just didn't know if anyone else with endo was doing IUI and what you had heard. I am not asking for anything related to success stories, just wondering why after all the research of endo and IF I have done I had never heard about this!!

jessican08

IUIs have a pretty low success rate in general but I've never heard of endo decreasing your chances if there is no scarring or blockages as a result of the adhesions.

I guess I'm a good example though of someone with endo who had no luck after 6 IUIs. I never had any scarring or blockages that should've caused a problem but we never got lucky with IUI. We have some MFI issues too so who knows if that was the issue, if it was a combination of issues, etc.

 

 

Trippleb

We were advised to go straight to IVF because of my endo. Age and MF was a big factor too.  I was dead set against IVF iniially but our RE showed us a study of the poor success rates with patients with severe endo.  I think I have a copy of the study somewhere if you'd like me to find it.   

I believe IUI might work for Stage I and II but it's been my experience that if you have severe endo, it's best to move directly to IVF.

 ETA:  Even though you might have clear tubes, adhesions related to endo can cause your tubes to be out of alignment, there is a chance your tubes can't pick up the egg each month, which would also explain why IUI doesn't work.  Also endo can be very toxic to an embryo, so even if the egg fertilizes, the endo can destroy it before you even had a chance of knowing whether you conceived that month.

4legsRbest

Thank you! Good to hear, I am stage I but it hurts so bad most of the time I could cry.

We are pretty comfortable with out IVF decision, just never heard that about IUI before. I guess I should have done more research on IUI before starting. I bawled like a baby on Mon/Tues when AF showed thinking for sure it had worked. Silly me - still learning, I guess

cottonlily84

The RE didn't give us statistics about endo and IUI.  He just said that endo created such a mess IVF was a better option.  Then there would be no concern with a tube being blocked or scar tissue on an ovary, etc.  GL with your IVF!

Enndea

I am in the minority here, apparently!  I actually read all those studies as well and went into my post surgical appointment (lap found stage III endo) fully expecting my RE to point us at IVF.  But he didn't.  It might depend on where the endo was found as well.  In my case, it was impacting my left side only.  The right side was completely clear with no adhesions or cysts or anything.  So, his recommendation was to start IUI with Clomid and give it three tries before considering IVF.  I asked him about the success rates and he said given what he saw with me, he would give us a 25% chance with IUI (which is what a 'normal' person has every month).  Given that the unmedicated IUI's are fairly inexpensive ($350) I can't think of a reason he would steer us in this direction and away from IVF unless he actually thought it might work.  So, we're going to try it.  

4legsRbest

Enndea - looks like we are about the same age. I guess another reason I was so quick to take the IVF option was because I will be 35 in a few months and have been trying for over two years - it might just be a patience thing with me We are OOP on everything but meds so it is still a great expense. Funny (not in a ha ha way) but it is my left side too - always feels like my left leg is going to fall off!!

GL to you!!

anncam424

Hi,

I'm new here, but thought I'd give my "so far" story here.  I just had lap surgery two days ago in hopes of concieving soon after.  I've read, been told that chances are good if no other issues are present.  We will probably not be doing IUI b/c of the low success rates.  If natural doesn't work within the next few months, we will be going to IVF. ugh.  Really hoping it doesn't come to that!.  Good luck!!