If you have done an unmedicated IUI, come in...

alhal · January 2011

If you have done an IUI without any medication used to promote ovulation, how/why did your doctor come to the decision to do the IUI sans medication? My RE recommended that I move on to IUI with clomid whenever I am ready (after nearly a year of TTC). However, my charts show clear ovulation (+OPK plus temp shift) every cycle, so I'm trying to figure out why my doctor thinks I need clomid along with the IUI.

Thoughts?

NZ2008 · January 2011

I just had my unmedicated IUI on Monday. For us, it was a personal choice to try the unmedicated - my doctor left it up to us to decide how aggressive we wanted to be. Since my charts have shown clear ovulation each cycle, we decided to try the IUI without clomid. If this doesn't work, I'll likely try an IUI with clomid next time.

It's my understanding that clomid is intended to improve the quantity and quality of available eggs, which would be why your doctor suggested trying it. But I'm sure there are more knowledgeable people here who can explain better:)

99luftballoons · January 2011

My last two IUIs have been umedicated. It's funny because I am kinda in your situation, only reversed positions. I also ovulate on my own, have regular cycles and have so far had normal hormone levels at every stage. So far our only issue seems to be MFI.

I spoke to my RE a few days ago about moving on to a low dose of Clomid if this cycle fails. My reasoning is that IUI cycles where 2 follicles are produced have higher success rates (presumably the sperm have more targets). Second, I have read that it can be help produce higher quality eggs. It doesnt' seem like that's an issue for me, but higher quality can only be better right?

My RE's answer was- clomid is not the be all end all. It can cause problems where there are none. So for me, while things are normal now, that might change- it can thin my mucus, thin my lining, cause cysts, etc, etc. He said we would eventually move on, but I don't know if he has agreed to move on this cycle.

Have you done any IUIs yet? Do they have a diagnosis for you? I think if we were unexplained or if there was an issue with me, my RE might feel differently. But right now he thinks it's just a matter of getting the sperm where they need to be, so he is hesitant to put me on meds.

Hope that helps

alhal · January 2011

99luftballoons:

Have you done any IUIs yet? Do they have a diagnosis for you? I think if we were unexplained or if there was an issue with me, my RE might feel differently. But right now he thinks it's just a matter of getting the sperm where they need to be, so he is hesitant to put me on meds.

Hope that helps

I've never done an IUI before and I have no known diagnosis. All tests thus far have shown normal results. We have no MFI either. Perhaps since I do have unexplained IF, that is why he wants to go ahead with the Clomid... I don't know! I definitely plan to ask him about trying unmedicated first though, just to see what he thinks.

Thanks for your response!

cutebride73 · January 2011

I tried clomid and it didn't work for me at all (I only had one follie and it wasn't mature when I O'd). I am unexplained IF - I O on my own. The RE thought that meds or IUI migth improve my chances.

We then tried 2 unmedicated IUI's - I did get pregnant with the 2nd one, but unfortunately I had a c/p. I then tried meds + TI with no success and we are now moving on to IVF (RE thinks it's my best option - given my age, 3 losses and recently found clotting issues).

I really do think unmedicated IUI's can work, so it may well be all that you need!!

blueberries8 · January 2011

I think that if you are on the fence, an unmedicated IUI is a good place to start and then you can always add Clomid in for the next cycle (but hopefully there will be no next cycle:) We were initially unexplained, though I was later dx'ed with lean PCOS, and our first IUI was unmedicated. I think PPs already did a good job of summarizing the pros and cons of adding in the Clomid. Even if you are ovulating on your own, Clomid can produce a "stronger" ovulation and if you have some mild ovulatory dysfunction that is preventing you from getting pregnant in light of still ovulating, it could definitely help with that. Lastly, having more than one follicle helps in the numbers game.?

On the other hand, you do risk creating new issues - thin lining, no CM, cysts etc. and it's true that the IUI alone will improve your chances over TI just by getting more sperm to exactly the right place at the right time. I think either option (unmedicated or with Clomid) would be really reasonable. Good luck!

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