Looking for some advice to move to IVF

Hi all, I just had my third failed medicated IUI (blood test is meant to be Friday but I already have my period today). Before I next meet with the doctors I would like to be armed with as much knowledge as possible in case they try to argue for a fourth IUI before moving to IVF. I have mild endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy and my luteal Phase is always 11 days despite being put on different types of progesterone (oral and pessaries). I also have a slightly inverted uterus which likely doesn’t help and I am 37, turning 38 in a few months. Any advice greatly appreciated.

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Hi Kate, I think the choice of treatment is yours. Your doctors might give arguments for IUI but ultimately can’t refuse to move you to IVF, unless there are medical contraindications. IUI is only 15% chance per try, and if you are going to need IVF, it’s better to start it sooner rather than later in our late 30s. I personally moved after 1 IUI only and my doctor agreed: - additional IUI would eat into my IVF budget - success is low and repeat failures have effect on mental health - Age is of essence for IVF, and I wanted to start asap! - my doctor added the argument that IVF might help cement a diagnosis while IUI doesn’t help us understand what’s going wrong. Hope this helps x

@Kate have you ever has a HSG? Maybe get that done before moving onto another IUI round or even IVF

So IVF might be more successful due to endo. I got the test done for inflammation and wasn’t officially diagnosed with endo but was put on a protocol to suppress everything (depot lupron) and that’s what worked for me this time. Not saying endo is causing issues but it can make it harder to get pregnant. But there are protocols in IVF to work around that. Might want to bring that up with your doc and get their opinion.

Thanks Nicola, I have had a HSG and all was clear

Thank you ladies- really helpful!

My Fertility Specialist was super honest with us and told us the chances of IUI success after 3 significantly decreases after each attempt. If they try to push a fourth IUI, I would ask them to provide the statistics and data to support another IUI versus IVF. And honestly, if they aren’t willing to be upfront or try to push you a certain way, I would look into a different doctor.

Totally agree, the choice is yours and make sure you’re in the right clinic that supports that, not one where you feel you need to come armed with back up but ofc here for you! I have endometriosis and had 4 failed IUI and wish I’d gone to IVF sooner ESPECIALLY because every cycle the endometriosis builds up and I then needed surgery and each cycle could be less likely to work cos - yep - more build up. I wish I’d gone straight to IVF and saved myself the painful months of Endo. I was advised to wait post surgery to implant but got lucky and had a few embryos, we transferred one and it worked! I still have the surgery due after baby next year and I wouldn’t if I hadn’t done all those IUI cycles…

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