New and need reassurance

I have PCOS, am 38 and overweight.  I have just had my first IUI on the 30th of June.  I am seeing symptoms of AF but wondering if it might be implantation bleeding.  I cant get a true definition.  I have pretty much accepted the fact that the IUI this past time did not work, and I am ok with that.  I am just wondering the the 2nd or 3rd might.  My doctor has told me that I need to lose the weight -- this I know and I am working on it.  But I am wondering if anyone else could give me any suggestions or reassurance in what to expect.  I thought I was PG this month, but have come to the realization that it might have been all the fertility meds that have made me so sick the past 3 weeks..

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
It is certainly possible that the fertility medications have been giving you pregnancy symptoms, that is quite common.  Weight loss is absolutely the right answer in addition to whatever else is recommended! One thing to consider if you haven't, is adding Metformin to your regimen.  It lowers insulin levels and increases fertility in PCOS patients.  It can also be helpful in terms of losing weight. Hope this helps!  Dr B

[jandbboss]

Dear Dr. B

I am on 1500mg of Metformin a day in additional to a prenatal vitamin with DHA.  My regimen is Clomid, then Follistem Pen, the Ovidrel then Progesterone.  My husband is also on Fertility Blend for Men (I believe for Motility) 2 pills a day.  I believe his last count was 3million at the time of IUI.  Is it common to have all these symptoms every time you are on fertility meds?  

I tested today with 3 different pregrancy tests (all different brands just to make sure that if there was any trace of HCG I would find it) and all 3 of them came back negative.  So I will be back to the fertility clinic.  However, I have heard that many women fail their first IUI procedure.  My question is does the second work better?  Do the meds need to be changed?  What else can we do as a couple to have a better outcome the second time around?

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

just to reassure you it can take a few attempts to get pregnant.  It would be usual to try at least 3 IUI depending on your doctor.

For women with PCOS some find that femara works better than clomid, so this could also be worth bring up with your doctor.

[mrsgenca]

Hi
I also did 2 IUI both unsucessful. Me and my husband are now moving onto IVF and we begin in a few weeks. I would suggest that maybe moving foward and being a little more aggresive (aggressive) is something you guys should consider. I also have PCOS (31 years old) and me and my husband have been trying ttc for 6 years . Good luck to the both of us may  god bless us both with a healthy beautiful baby !

[jandbboss]

Thank you very much for your information.  I just went for my 2nd baseline US and BW this morning.  Since I have low progesterone and such the Dr is going to review all of my labs when they come back this afternoon.  So we will see what the regimine with be later today.  As far as IVF that is something that my husband and I do not believe in.  If the IUI"s do not work then it is just not meant to be for us.  And I am totally fine with that.  We will just give it all we have with this and hope that our Dr finds the right combinations of meds.

[jandbboss]

Thank you for your information as well.  I was thinking on the way home from the Dr today that it could take a couple oftries.  I guess after the first attempt they now know where the levels fall and such and can attempt to get the right combination of meds this time around.  We will leave it in Gods hands and see how this months turns out.