Unexplained infertility??

runforcookies · December 2012

Just got back from my HSG everything was normal. He even said it was the easiest HSG he's ever done.

Everything so far is normal and I'm getting more and more frustrated and DH doesn't understand why. His feelings are if everything is normal and we're healthy then what's the problem??

I just want answers. Of course I don't want a diagnosis, but what if it is unexplained infertility? That scares me more then anything I think.

for those of you with this mystery hanging over your fertility, how do you cope? And what steps are you taking now to try and get pregnant.

I'm scheduled for one more progesterone check on 7dpo and then if I get my period we'll make a game plan from there.

Carla6394 · December 2012

ETA - Ticker and avatar pic warning - Trying to learn how to delete ---- did not mean to offend

I was diagnosed with "unexplained secondary infertility" and spent 8 years trying to get pregnant with 2nd baby, mostly on our own... did not seek help (or diagnosis) until after 6 years ttc. It was hard. Really really hard.

And then we decided to adopt. Went through the adoption course, went through the homestudy, got approved and were waiting.

I had my HSG lap done on CD 2 - December 21st 2011. Got pregnant that cycle and my daughter was born this past September.

MrsSmith414 · December 2012

First off, Congrats on your clear tubes! Thats great news!

Unexplained can really stink I am sure. I would try and take some comfort in knowing there is nothing that is causing a problem. It could simply be the egg is not meeting the sperm. But good luck with your next apt!

Carla6394 · December 2012

katyj25:
Carla6394:
I was diagnosed with "unexplained secondary infertility" and spent 8 years trying to get pregnant with 2nd baby, mostly on our own... did not seek help (or diagnosis) until after 6 years ttc. It was hard. Really really hard.
And then we decided to adopt. Went through the adoption course, went through the homestudy, got approved and were waiting.
I had my HSG lap done on CD 2 - December 21st 2011. Got pregnant that cycle and my daughter was born this past September.
Seriously?

yep

MTDB · December 2012

I agree that it's really frustrating. Though on the one hand, it's nice to know there is nothing "wrong" with you, when you've been trying without success for a year or more you want an answer, and unexplained infertility doesn't have one. There's no obvious solution. It feels like the answer is essentially throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. And the truth is, as I've read from my work (I'm a medical editor) and heard from my RE, in many cases, there probably is actually some sort of problem or reason why you're not getting pregnant, but the technology and testing they have isn't able to discover it. If there was some way to essentially record the entire process, there would, in many cases, be an "aha" moment where they "see" what goes wrong, but that's not possible. So we're left without answers. The good news is that even without an obvious problem or solution, the general solutions available for infertility often work for unexplained infertility.

As for how to deal with it, I think having a game plan with your RE once you've finished all your testing helps because you can feel like you're doing something. Also, I just keep reminding myself that hey, it could happen for us on our own, so there's no reason not to try while you wait to get to the action part of things. Good luck! Hang in there!

Carla6394 · December 2012

katyj25:
Carla6394:
katyj25:
Carla6394:
I was diagnosed with "unexplained secondary infertility" and spent 8 years trying to get pregnant with 2nd baby, mostly on our own... did not seek help (or diagnosis) until after 6 years ttc. It was hard. Really really hard.
And then we decided to adopt. Went through the adoption course, went through the homestudy, got approved and were waiting.
I had my HSG lap done on CD 2 - December 21st 2011. Got pregnant that cycle and my daughter was born this past September.
Seriously?
yep
Glad you are so sure of yourself.
What made you think it was ok to put in your .02 here with 2 tickers and an u/s pic in your siggy with no warning?

honestly it was pure ignorance on my part, I didn't mean to offend. I don't know how to post without siggy and was only trying to help. I really didn't mean any harm, but did / do have a long tttc history and saw the "unexplained infertility" and really in my heart wanted to be of some assistance to the op.

I am really sorry and if I knew how to do a warning I would have. I will see if I can edit now to add warning.

Again, sorry.

Laylarue · December 2012

I am in the unexplained IF dx category too. However, as we have started treatments we have found small issues throughout the cycle. So even though none of the issues are big ones it makes me feel good that we are starting to get a few answers and my RE is taking action to fix them.

Just because you are considered unexplained doesn't mean there is nothing wrong. It just means we don't have testing advanced enough to find out at this time.

megs3084 · December 2012

Were unexplained. We did 3 iuis and are now in the 2ww of our 2nd ivf cycle. Initially the first sa showed low count but a urologist checked and cleared dh. As far as coping, some days are better than others. I just take it a day at a time. I also blog and have a few friends plus dh i can talk to.

BlueEyedDreamer · December 2012

katyj25:
Is sucks. Somedays I just wish that I had something actually wrong. A real diagnosis. I am a planner and hate quessing games. IF is just one big guessing game. We have yet to find a med protocol that works, so until we do, it is just trial and error.

I totally agree. As awful as it sounds, I have days where I would do almost anything to just have a diagnosis so that we could identify the obstacle that we need to overcome.

I always say that unexplained IF is a blessing and a curse.Yay nothing's wrong with you! Boo, there's nothing we can fix. On the hard days, I just try to focus on the "blessing" half of the equation. At least we know that everything is relatively normal, and hopefully that means we'll have success sooner or later.

whoberry · December 2012

We are unexplained as well. As we've gone through treatment we've found a few things that may be impacting our fertility (polyp, poor 24 hour motility). Even though it hasn't changed our diagnosis it was nice to be able to identify some issues and know what can be done about them. I suspect I have poor egg quality as well which is why I am so frustrated that we have not moved on to IVF yet. That's the only way to find out about egg quality and I think we are just wasting time until then.

One good thing about unexplained is that there are more treatment options available to you, you can basically try everything. As you go through treatments you will learn more about your body and may find small issues that can be resolved and improve your chances.

I strongly suggest getting a 2nd opinion at some point down the road. The resolve website recommends it for unexplained diagnoses. We went through a few rounds of treatment before seeking out a 2nd opinion and we are so glad we did. We switched to that doctor and he's discovered our other issues. Best of luck to you.

herecomesthesun · December 2012

We are dealing with unexplained IF too.

There are days I just want to know why and get upset... but there are a lot of things in life that we don't know why they happen or don't happen. This is just another one of those.

I'm not really sure what gets me through all of this. Hope, mostly, if I were to guess.

Neffanie · December 2012

hey there, unexplained IF here as well. Everything as far as testing went with us was normal, HSG, SA, Progesterone blood work. We haven't been told to do anymore testing as of yet. We started off on 50mg of Clomid, then upped it to 100mg after 2 cycles. We have done one IUI with a BFN and waiting to do our second. Our RE only likes to do 3 IUI's so we may take a break if nothing by then and see a different doctor at some point.

As far as coping, it sucks trying for a year and a half++, and having nothing happen for no reason, but I just feel grateful it's nothing physically wrong with us (that we know of) so we are just taking it a month at a time really, changing things up a bit here and there. For instance I will be on progesterone supplements this coming IUI.

Just try to focus on the good aspect of it as stupid as that sounds. I sometimes wish we had a diagnosis to deal with instead of the great unknown, but for now I guess I'm just trying to keep my eye on the prize and focus on each appointment as it comes. All the best for you, fx and keep us posted with your plans and progress!

runforcookies · December 2012

Thanks for all the responses. I didn't expect the HSG to effect me so emotionally but I totally lost it when I walked out of there.

The room was scary, it hurt in ways I didn't expect and then to hear I still don't have an answer, all that was built up just came pouring out of me.

Hopefully I don't make it to my next appointment but I am feeling good that if I do, we will set a plan in place.

Believe33 · December 2012

Late to respond to this post, but wanted to let you know that I'm also unexplained and we've been TTC for 1.5 years (not sure if my siggy is updated yet). The unexplained part used to get me down a lot. I (like a lot of you girls) just wanted them to find SOMETHING so that I felt like we were making progress. I try to focus on the positive by reminding myself if there is nothing wrong, then it will happen and it is just taking us longer than most. It also helps to have a plan. My RE is super busy with a lot of patients so it is difficult to plan with him, but he always lets me call the shots after he has given me his recommendations. My DH and I sat down and created our own plan based on his input. For 2013 we're willing to do up to 6 more IUIs (we've already done 1) and then if it hasn't happened by July we will start treatment with a reproductive medicine center so that we can hopefully start IVF#1 in Jan 2014 (my REs office does not do IVF). We also made a financial plan too in order to save money for IVF. I'm a type A planner, so it really helped to create some structure. GL to you and I'm glad your HSG was all clear!

MTDB · December 2012

runforcookies:
Thanks for all the responses. I didn't expect the HSG to effect me so emotionally but I totally lost it when I walked out of there. The room was scary, it hurt in ways I didn't expect and then to hear I still don't have an answer, all that was built up just came pouring out of me. Hopefully I don't make it to my next appointment but I am feeling good that if I do, we will set a plan in place.

I completely understand about getting upset at the HSG. When I walked into the room and they started explaining to me what they were going to do, I couldn't actually respond to the doctors, only nod. I had gotten all teary and was afraid that I was going to start bawling if I opened my mouth. I think the HSG is sort of where the whole infertility diagnosis hits you because it's not just blood work or stuff that's sort of ordinary. It's invasive and in a hospital and can be sort of scary...and then when it is just one more thing that gives you no answers, it's hard not to get upset.

I hope too that you don't need that next appointment, but if you do, breathe, make a plan, and know that you're doing everything you can. Good luck!

mrslionbear · December 2012

Honestly, people's diets play a huge role in fertility. Drs are not educated in this, thats why they never offer it as a solution. Cut out all the processed crap both you dh and eat "real food". I know it sucks but what do you want more... an unhealthy diet or a baby? We did this after years of "unexplained infertility" got pregnant on month 4 of clean healthy eating. You may want to try detoxing to jumpstart it, however we didn't. Good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

Unexplained infertility??

Re: Unexplained infertility??

IF, 5 losses, 1 son, 1 on the way.

Choose Another Board

Search Boards