Unexplained infertility

I'm also struggling with unexplained infertility. We're going to start IUI... I know plenty of people who've been through this and still ended up pregnant... But isn't there a limit of 4 IUIs? I heard we're allowed to do it 6 times, and then move on to IVF.

My best friend has the same story! IUI didn't work, but the first IVF cycle was a success. Her daughter is now 3.5 years old, and she's pregnant with her second child—also a success on the first IVF attempt. To this day, she still doesn't know what the issue was, but IVF was definitely the solution.
So there are many paths to Rome! It'll all work out!

Yeah, I heard something else again... but I still have to wait... had a cyst?

Hi there dreamer,

Here’s another one with unexplained fertility issues—everything checks out, but it just doesn’t work out. It’s definitely frustrating, especially when suddenly everyone around you is pregnant or already has kids. After the initial tests showed everything was fine, we could have gone straight into the medical track, but we decided not to do that yet. We also weren’t really focusing on it for a while, but last year we finally took the step and started with IUI. Even though the chances aren’t super high, it’s still a less intense process than IVF. So if it works out that way, that would be great. So far, we’ve had 4 unsuccessful attempts. Although I’m trying to stay calm and relaxed, there’s always that disappointment and fear that it won’t work. I try to reassure myself that if it works for people with serious fertility problems, it should work for us too.

Because we’ve been at this for so long, we were allowed to move straight to IVF, and after the 4th IUI, it came up again. But we decided to try two more times. (The guidelines say you can try IUI up to 6 times, depending on your situation.) This time with a different method. So attempt #5.

Today I took a test and got palpitations from what I saw—two lines. The one was faint, but still a line. It couldn’t be, after all those tests where it stayed stark white next to the control line, no matter how I looked. Somewhere along the way, I’d already given up hope or prepared myself for another disappointment. Along with happiness, there’s also a lot of disbelief. Over the next few days, I’ll test a few more times just to be sure, even if only to convince myself.

So, to make a long story short, it can definitely happen.

I hope it leads to a beautiful result for you and the others here.

No, they don't remove the cyst (thankfully I've already had it done 3 times haha).
I just heard that there's a 45% chance of getting pregnant through IUI and another 10% chance of getting pregnant spontaneously.

Hi Dromertje,

Thanks so much for the congratulations. Even though I had 4 very clear tests, there's still a lot of disbelief alongside the joy. "It really is true, right? I didn't make a mistake?" The realization is coming slowly and will probably hit even harder after the first ultrasound, which I'm luckily not waiting too long for.

Regarding our journey: We stopped the pill 4.5 years ago and tried seriously for about 1.5 years. Then there was a period where we didn't try seriously anymore and focused on other things. We did get checked in the meantime though. If any abnormalities had been found, we would have known and would have needed to take action in the medical field sooner. Early last year, we tried on our own for a few months to get pregnant, and from June last year we started with IUI.

I took the test on day 28 of my cycle. My cycles are 29 days, so it was 1 day before my expected period.

I recognize what you're saying about having all sorts of vague symptoms and hoping they mean something, but at the same time not wanting to hope too much because of the disappointment.

This round, I did have a somewhat persistent pressure/vague pain in my lower abdomen (also on days in between) and my breasts felt a bit firmer, and the veins looked a bit clearer. But yeah, I had both of those things in previous rounds too, so I didn't dare to read too much into it.

Looking back, I did have one instance where food tasted weird to me, while my husband didn't taste anything strange.

Otherwise, not much else special.

I hope your vague symptoms also point to something beautiful and that you'll be just as shocked as I was when testing. Lots of strength while waiting.

Dientje, I hope for a good result for you too!
You write that you still have to wait because of a cyst; do you already know until when you have to wait? And what you're waiting for? Seems very frustrating to me in any case.
Also strength with waiting.

Such an exciting weekend for your dreamer, I hope it has a beautiful outcome.
And if not, no matter how hard it is, don't lose hope.
Rooting for you!

Ahhh, that's so awful and sad Such a disappointment, right, when it doesn't work out again. I totally get the feeling. And the fear too.
Hang in there.
And who knows what the next round will bring...
What I don't really understand is why you can only do 4 IUIs—is that your own choice? By the way, are you using hormones with the IUI? If not, you could ask for them or maybe try a different medication if you're already using some. I just switched to that this cycle. Of course, it always remains a question whether that made the difference.
I'm glad I chose to go for the 5th IUI attempt instead of moving straight to IVF.

Good that you called right away!
What your doctor says is also true. The chances with IUI are not that much higher each time (well, some, otherwise they wouldn't do it) than with natural pregnancy. With IVF, the chance of pregnancy is indeed higher. But it is more intensive in terms of production than IUI, so the question is what you yourselves want.
Whether to continue with IVF after the next IUI or to try those two other times again. Hopefully, it won't be necessary to make that choice anymore.
I switched from Clomid to Gonal-f. This comes in a syringe and you use it for a bit longer than Clomid. Our doctor told us that there is no super clear evidence for it, but that this medication might lead to slightly better buildup of the uterine lining, which helps with implantation.
By the way, this is the same medication that is often prescribed with IVF, just in much lower dosages of course.
And I really recognize your anxiety. I also got a bit upset by it, but unfortunately, none of that helps.
I also paid extra attention to vitamins etc. Besides folic acid + vitamins, I also took omega-3 and antioxidants.
Wishing you lots of strength.

Hey dreamer, it's so frustrating that they can't figure out what's going on.
I'm in the same boat. After 3 IUI attempts, we finally got pregnant. This time, right after the insemination, I lay on my belly with a hot water bottle in the evening. Maybe that helped us out. They also moved up the timing of the insemination. Before, I had to take Pregnyl at 6 PM, but now it's at 8 PM.

The chances of success with IUI are always lower than with IVF. But keep in mind that IVF also includes couples where the man has reduced sperm count or women with PCOS. So for you two, there's definitely still a chance!

Don't give up, but try to let it go sometimes too. Seriously, that baby is going to happen! Maybe not this month, but perhaps the next one!

Good luck, sweetheart, it's really going to work out!