Forum Medical

IUI

40 replies · page 1 of 3

Bloem1983
Hi everyone,

My partner and I are starting IUI treatments from our next cycle. This is because my partner's sperm doesn't swim very well, and I have tougher cervical mucus. Together, this makes natural conception difficult. I was wondering if there are any others here who have experience with this treatment??

Lots of love

Replies

Page 1 of 3

  1. wendela Guest #2

    My partner and I have been trying for ten months now. Since we got to know our new GP, we told him right away. He said, quite simply, that my partner could just donate a sperm sample. Fine plan. So be it. It turned out there wasn't much to it, so we were referred to a urologist. He had an ultrasound, blood test, and another sperm sample. The ultrasound showed a small varicocele that could potentially be removed, but it's not a big deal. We already knew something about fertility issues, and it's never been proven that it really helps. The sperm sample showed about 10 million cells, with 21% being good. So, after a bit of chatting, she finally said we might qualify for IUI. Now we have another appointment with the doctor and got a referral letter for the gynecologist. (We need to go to a different hospital.) Then we had to send an email to the gynecology department, who will get back to us with a date... so we might do IUI! Has anyone had experience with this? And how long did the process take from the gynecologist to treatment? Best wishes, Wenda

  2. wendela Guest #3

    Did it take you a long time to get from the tests to the treatment? And how did it go?

  3. Bloem1983 started this #4

    Hi Wendela,

    Yes, it takes a long time... I think it's quite personal. My partner and I stopped trying in May 2012 and went to the gynecologist in December. Only I was examined (because I barely have any periods at all), and I was told not to complain and just keep trying together for another year. Then, in June this year, I got a second opinion and ended up at a fertility clinic. After just one month, we started with IUI. Unfortunately, IUI wasn't for us. The second IUI was then canceled, and now we're in our first IVF/ICSI cycle.

    Fingers crossed, girls xxx

  4. wendela Guest #5

    Yeah, then it’s indeed personal.. everyone has their own issues that might make it not work out... so other tests and timing differences... I’m so curious. But ICSI, that’s more intense than IUI, right? How do you experience all the medical aspects?
    Good luck anyway!

  5. Bloem1983 started this #6

    Hey girls,

    Yeah, indeed, but I also often feel like you're often put aside because of your age. In May I was 28 and said then that you have all the time. Apparently something is wrong with my (thick mucus) so that my husband's swimmers have to work hard to get through it. Because he has less strong swimmers, they don't survive and it doesn't lead to fertilization, hence the IUI. Only the last time was so disastrous that they canceled the IUI and heard that only ICSI is a possibility. Last week I started with injections to suppress my natural cycle and now I'm waiting for my period to continue.

    How are you guys doing?

  6. wendela Guest #7

    Hey, well at least you've started! I'm curious how it'll go.. are the injections manageable?
    As for the referral thing.. no experience with that yet. Our GP is very down-to-earth and easygoing. Sent us straight to the urologist, and last week we also got a referral letter for the gynecologist right away.. He said well then you should just take the next steps. My partner and I see it the same way...
    The urologist was quite speaking from his own perspective during the discussion about my partner's test results.. saying the next step would be to remove the varicose vein.. full explanation of the procedure.. and that we could book an appointment right away. My partner and I then took over the conversation for a bit. Because the varicocele is very small, and it's not proven that removing it has an effect. Plus, after removal it takes 6 months to heal. Then you wait 6 months for something that might not even have helped! Then the urologist agreed with us and we started talking about fertility treatments (which we had already been looking into of course) info sent to GP, GP appointment, and now emailed the gynecology department. They still need to respond with a date for the appointment. I'm so curious what will follow.. if we'll get help at all. But anyway, it's clear that you really need to have your own info and stand up for yourself to get help.
    And regarding age... I am quite young! 22, my partner 28.
    Not many people responding to IUI posts by the way, haha. nice forum though
    Quite a long story this... but well.
    Greetings! Xx

  7. Bloem1983 started this #8

    Hey sweet girl,

    It's so nice that you and your boyfriend are so committed to this, my husband and I feel the same way. And your age doesn't matter at all; no matter how old you are, you have a desire for a child and want that to happen :-). IUI doesn't work for everyone, but even IVF and ICSI aren't guaranteed. Definitely don't get operated on right now, well, with your boyfriend then, and indeed try something else first because 6 months are 6 wasted months anyway. I'm really curious when you can see the gynecologist, girl.....I'm rooting for you.

    I'm on the waiting list that my period will come today or tomorrow, then I can continue with the ICSI project.

    Girl, I'm rooting for you, good luck xxx

  8. wendela Guest #9

    No, it's all no guarantee. I personally find it a bit strange to think that we might be starting this journey. Not in a negative way, just a bit surreal. Very curious. And age, well. Every doctor is different, of course... I'll let you know when we have an appointment and how it went! Exciting for you! So then it can really begin... then the monitoring starts, whether your eggs are maturing, etc.? Good luck! Thanks for your sweet messages.

  9. wendela Guest #10

    Just got an email... 17th September appointment with the OB-GYN.... only a month away!!!.....

  10. Bloem1983 started this #11

    Hi Wendela,

    Well, that's gone quickly. Maybe you can get an appointment sooner with another OB-GYN at the same hospital? I'd give them a call. Xxx

  11. wendela Guest #12

    Yeah, well... maybe having patience isn't the worst thing either..

  12. wendela Guest #13

    Just called another hospital... which is also closer. They can take us a week earlier, so September 10th. Haha, we've gained a week after all!

  13. Bloem1983 started this #14

    Look girls... SUPER!!! Indeed, a week earlier!!!

    I just called the clinic too, because my period should have started between day 8 and 12 of using Decapeptyl, but today is day 12 and I still have no period and no symptoms that it's coming. I have an ultrasound on Thursday. Because without a period, I can't proceed with the next injections to mature the follicles. I did a test just to be sure, but it was negative too, so we'll have to wait and see. xxx

  14. wendela Guest #15

    Oh yeah!
    No, I get it. You really need to break through it! Then it's a wait-and-see thing.. you can finally start, right? It's exciting.
    And Thursday's ultrasound to see how things are going? Xx

  15. wendela Guest #16

    Yes!
    No, I get it. You really need to break through! That’s where we wait and see then.. you can finally start, right. It’s exciting.
    And Thursday the ultrasound to see how things are going? Xx

  16. Bloem1983 started this #17

    Dear Wendela,
    Yes, with ICSI you usually get a scan on the 2nd day of your cycle to see how things are looking and which medication you'll receive for follicle growth. There are 3 different medications used, after all. Well, it's indeed a matter of waiting...and waiting feels so long. You're so eager that you start getting impatient between days 8 and 12. But now on day 13, unfortunately, there's still nothing to see. I do get occasional little pains or twinges in my stomach and groin, but I think it's due to the medication since I don't normally have any cycle-related symptoms. So back to the waiting bench we go ;-)

    I have to go to the clinic tomorrow afternoon. If I know more, I'll let you know right away. xxx

  17. wendela Guest #18

    Yeah, I get it. I've also done some research on ICSI. It's all a bit of a mess! Have you already been to the clinic? Xx

  18. Bloem1983 started this #19

    Hi Wendela,

    Just went to the clinic. From Monday, taking a step further in the IVF process with follicle-stimulating injections that I'll need to inject daily for a week, along with the Decapeptyl injections. An ultrasound on June 2nd to check follicle growth has been scheduled. Then, probably the egg retrieval that week, and back for the embryo transfer the following week :-)

  19. Bloem1983 started this #20

    Hey girls,

    Haha yes, Sep 2nd hihi. The injections are doable, sometimes a bit of needle pain but otherwise okay. Well, it's just the hormones, and this endless waiting breaks my spirit now and then. I thought I could start the follicle stimulation injections today, but that's not until Monday:-( It's been over 4 days, and every time I have to wait, it makes me feel discouraged. I should be happy if the first ICSI attempt goes well this year. Because this endless waiting can mean that if this ICSI doesn't work, I won't be able to test for pregnancy until the new year . I'm really feeling down right now. I know things will turn out okay, but sometimes it just gets to you, and honestly, I really need a good feeling right now.

    How are you doing, girls? Xxx

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