Looking for expert advice!

Hi there! Thank you for your service!

Here is my history:
Age: 29
120 lbs 5'4
Average cycle length 29 days lasting 4 days.
We have been trying for almost 2 years now for our first.
All my blood work has checked out good.
I had a HSG dye test that was "beautiful" - no seen issues.
I was on clomid for 3 cycles. Cycle 1 & 2  - 50 mg days 5-9. Cycle 3 was increased to 100 mg, but I had to stop mid way through because I was getting heart palpitations. All 3 cycles failed.
I had an u/s during cd 15 of my last round of clomid that showed "thick" lining and mature follicles.
I just started a new round of Femara with Ovidrel. My mid cycle u/s was great - we followed all the rules and I started my period again today.

Husband - 32 (average weight and height)
His sperm analysis came back normal.

My last 2 cycles have been different - longer than normal. I average 29 days and my last cycle was 37 and my period lasted 6 days with heavy cramps the whole time. This time, my cycle was 31 days and I have had major cramps for the week leading up to my period.
I am worried that I might have Endo. How would I know?
Any other things you could suggest.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
You have the most confusing type of infertility--unexplained infertility.  The good news is that statistics are on your side and suggest that you will eventually conceive.
Your last two cycles are worriesome--they were too long, and that suggests that you didn't ovulate.  The symptoms could also be related to the medications that you are taking.
If you were my patient, I would agree that the next step in the process would be to rule out endometriosis.  That is done with a laparoscopy--a minor, outpatient surgery.
If endo is discovered, it can be treated at the same surgery.  Sometimes a ca125 level can suggest that you have endometriosis, if it is elevated--unfortunately, it is a very non-specific test.
If you were my patient, I might also suggest taking a break from all the meds, and just letting nature do the work for a month or two, to let your body recover--sometimes miracles happen at the least expected moments.
Good luck!
Dr B

[CarlaLP]

First let me say I know how you feel and what you are going through. I just found out my IUI failed and am devestated.

My cousin had very bad endo and had similar symptoms- heavy periods and cramping, but you are on a lot of meds so it may also be that. Another possibility is a chemical pregnancy.

Have you been back to the doctor for blood work?

Endo can be seen via an ultrasound and also by a laparoscopy. I would get a blood test and ultasound first and then possibly move on to a lap if need be. Make sure you communicate all of this to your RE. It's tough because we are just one of many patients to them, but you deserve to have all of your questions answered!

Good luck to you and let us know what happens!

baby dust *******

[J82J]

Hi,
I fell pregnant naturally two years ago, but sadly misscarried at 7 weeks, two years later I have not conceived again.  Now on my second round of iui.  Does anyone think iui will work considering i concieved before?
Thanks in advance
x

[J82J]

Hi,
I fell pregnant naturally two years ago, but sadly misscarried at 7 weeks, two years later I have not conceived again.  Now on my second round of iui.  Does anyone think iui will work considering i concieved before?  Oh and I have had all the tests done, everything came back normal.  Partner also came back normal, so we're classed unexplained infertility.
Thanks in advance
x