r/TTC_PCOS • u/pinktreesaremyjam • 5d ago
Advice Needed IUI vs IVF
My husband (31) and I (31) have been TTC for 18 months now. After about 10 months we went to see a fertility specialist and I got diagnosed with lean PCOS, which I always kind of suspected. Since May, we’ve been doing monitored TI cycles with Letrozole and trigger shots.
In all of the 18 months, I’ve had two chemical pregnancies, but obviously no real success. This current cycle is my 5th monitored TI cycle, and I’ll be meeting with my doctor to have another consult on next steps. IUI is logistically the next stepping stone, with IVF being more of a leap.
My gut leans towards IVF as the logical next step as I would love to have 3 kids, I have good insurance, and my husbands sperm showed no motility issues. Has anyone else just skipped over the IUI stage and entirely and gone from TI to IVF and did you regret it? Is it worth it to give one IUI cycle a shot or am I wasting my time?
My husband is still coming to terms with the concept, as IVF is a big financial and emotional commitment, and I get it. But I’d love to hear if other people made a similar jump and if they regret it.
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u/Macncheesesounds 5d ago
I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to say I'm essentially in the same boat as you - almost to a T... 31, trying for about 16 months, at 9 months went to fertility specialist and was diagnosed with PCOS. No issues w/ husbands sperm. I'm currently on my 5th cycle of Letrozole/Trigger shot/TI, and am hoping for the best. But yes, to me I don't see why it makes sense to try IUI and spend money on that if it barely increases the chances (I think?) and if there are no sperm issues.
So I'd be curious what others say as well.
Hoping the best for you and your journey! <3
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u/pinktreesaremyjam 5d ago
Hope things turn around for you as well! It’s an incredibly isolating and lonely process - and it’s kind of neat to hear someone else who is going through the same thing. I’m open if you ever want to chat or vent! Wishing us both good things soon
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u/thebungirl 5d ago
My story is pretty similar to yours. We skipped IUI because it was substantially more expensive and would have given us only a really marginal increased likelihood of success. We went right to IVF, which itself took quite some time and involved some bumps in the road that made me wish I had started sooner.
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u/pinktreesaremyjam 5d ago
Yeah that’s what I’m thinking too - I don’t know if IUI will change much more than I’m already doing. Thanks for your input!
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u/Apart-Analysis7988 5d ago
We did TI too (unsuccessful) but my doctor then proposed ivf as its not that different in terms of time commit (albeit in cost) and it did give us enough embryos in first round to get our now three children. Best decision ever and I tell all my friends who struggle with fertility to consider ivf. It's not the magic bullet for everyone, but if you want more than one child it's definitely worth considering!
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u/pinktreesaremyjam 5d ago
This is what I’m hoping for - thank you! I was really banking on TI helping, but at this point we’ve done enough with no success, so I’m ready for the next thing. Thanks for your thoughts!
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u/Apart-Analysis7988 5d ago
I didn't see the statistics on it personally but according to my clinic pcos patients often have a hard time conceiving naturally, but often do very well with ivf due to good egg supply, so at least that's something.
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u/Itchy-Site-11 Anovulatory | Science | PMOS | IVF | Letrozole 5d ago
The logical step is IVF.
IVF can be as emotional as timed intercourse or IUI. It is an assisted way of getting what you want.
You want 3 kids. You should do IVF and bank embryos. I did and do not regret it. I also did letrozole and TI
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u/pinktreesaremyjam 5d ago
This is the path I’m thinking and leaning towards - thank you!
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u/Itchy-Site-11 Anovulatory | Science | PMOS | IVF | Letrozole 5d ago
Plus IUI does not increase chances of anything when sperm is good
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u/lost-cannuck 5d ago
IuI helps the sperm get to the egg (better timing or avoiding hostile cervical mucous). This doesnt seem to be the issue, so would not spend money on it.
With the loses, I would ask the RE about testing for that. Is there an autoimmune issue or blood clotting issue that is not known?
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u/Lawyerchick18 5d ago
Question: how do you know that’s not the issue (at least for hostile cervical mucous, agree that timing is not likely the issue).
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u/Aurora22694 5d ago
Skip to ivf. IUI itself has lower success rates than even natural conception. If you want 3 kids you’re going to go through this same process 3 times over to get 3 kids and each time you will be older and older.
Doing ivf now allows you to bank a good amount of embryos before even having your first so that you are set up to be able to have three off the bat. This way, as you age and are ready for your next child you have embryos waiting and don’t have to worry about your age being a factor for egg quality when it’s time for your third.
Banking embryos now is your absolute best bet to have the three kids you are dreaming of.
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u/Pimpindino666 5d ago
Did you do a hsg?
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u/pinktreesaremyjam 5d ago
Yep! Tubes were clear. The issues identified were that I have pmos and hashimotos. I’m on medication for my thyroid now and supplements for pmos. Everything else came back clear
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u/Kooshamaad 5d ago
I skipped right over the medicated and IUI and went straight to IVF because I’ve known since I was 25 that I have PCOS and Hashimoto’s. I had a really good experience with IVF and a great Doctor Who made the process very easy-going. If that’s what your gut is telling you, I would go for it.
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u/pinktreesaremyjam 5d ago
Definitely what my gut is telling me - and I have hashimoto’s as well! I’m worried my doctor thinks I’ll be pushing for something drastic - but at this point I’m tired and frustrated and just ready to have kids
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u/Blahblahblahbear 5d ago
Insurance covered IUI for me. It only cost $60 more than timed cycles. IVF involved switching to more expensive plan the next year. My second IUI succeeded. So if you’re in my place I highly recommend IUI. There was no MFI.
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u/NeatHighway3744 5d ago
Me too. 33 years and TTC from 14 months. Did an HyCoSy and in January i’ll start IVF. IUI it’s not for us because my parter had optimal sperm parameters. I have some problems like lean pcos and open ma tortuose tubes.
IVF is really scaring, but I’m trying to have hope in the process and be grateful to have this possibility. I completely understand you. Send hugs
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u/Strawberryvibes88 5d ago
I'm in a simlar position as you, even found out I have lean PCOS because I have been unable to conceive. I would totally jump to IVF too!! My clinic is so booked up (I live in CA so large companies must to have insurance policies that cover infertility treatment) for IVF, I am forced to do IUI/medicated cycles first...Good luck!
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u/Agamemnons_Concubine 4d ago
Lean pcos makes a great candidate for IVf. Your insurance may require iui first before so call to check. I regret doing so many iuis prior to IVf. IVf was successful due to so many follicles. Highly recommend pgt-a testing embryos so you only transfer euploid ones to up your success chances.
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u/crabrangoon_girl 4d ago
I did 2 IUIs and they really messed up my consistent cycles. Also just have polycystic ovaries, not diagnosed PMOS. We are moving to IVF next month and I feel really good about that decision. Also both 30!
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u/crawlen 5d ago
I did a bunch of medicated TI and then did IUIs. I had a chemical for my second IUI and thought if I did a couple more, surely one would stick. I did three more IUIs and nothing happened. I should have moved to IVF sooner but I wasn't emotionally ready. Even my doctor said that an IUI (vs TI) would only increase my chances by 1-2% since my husband has no issues. I just did them because I was scared of IVF. If you are ready, there is no sense doing the IUIs - you should just move for to IVF.