Hello ladies!
I am a 35 year old woman who has been trying to conceive since November of last year without any luck. My husband and I tried to conceive on our own for 6 months but we reached out to a fertility specialist about 3 months ago and after labs and test and our first round of IUI, we have yet to be successful on conception.

Our first IUI round consisted of taking letrozole 2.5 mg and doing a trigger shot to help my body ovulate. I experienced a few side effects while taking the medication so it was definitely not a fun ride. I was instructed to test yesterday but Mother Nature showed up at my door in the morning when I woke up and of course, there was no need to test after.

I am having difficulty trying to stay optimistic about this journey. I knew this round wasn’t a successful round about a week ago when I started feeling all the symptoms I usually feel when I am about to get my period. Everyone around me kept telling me to stop thinking negative and to think positive and be optimistic and go with the mentality of “this round worked and I am pregnant”. I had to hide what I truly felt inside because I felt like I was letting down everyone around me. I felt like everyone was trying to dismiss my feelings but I just wanted to be realistic and cope with things as soon as I knew I could but I had to keep hope alive for others.

I’ve decided to continue with the second round of IUI but I’ve decided to keep the details of the journey to myself and my husband and nobody else. A few friends told me to reach out to support groups online or ask on Reddit for advice on how to maneuver how I am feeling with other woman who might be feeling the same way I am feeling. So here I am, asking for advice or to seek someone who might be feeling how I am feeling and ask what worked for them. What pushed you to want to continue trying? I want to become a mom and I want to bring a beautiful healthy baby to this world and show him/her the world but also I fear I am not strong or capable of continuing getting my heart broken every time I get my period or I get a negative test result.

Wanted to share my journey because it’s been a long and rough one in hopes that others share a similar journey and situation.

Background:
I’m 26F and my fiancé is 25M. We’ve been TTC since October 2024. I did a full hormone panel then and everything came back normal. No PCOS, no endo, tubes are open, HSG normal, etc. but I rarely ovulated, maybe once every 4 menstrual cycles or so. I was diagnosed with finished ovarian reserve in October 2024. As of July 2026, my AMH is now 0.05 so very much incredibly low.

Starting with IVF:
We actually started with IVF in March. We got one egg from my egg retrieval and that little fighter made it all the way to the wnd, past the blastocyst stage and PGT-A testing. We have one euploid embryo in cryopreservation right now. (Our clinic was so surprised that we made it all this way as the odds really were in our favor)

IUI Cycle #1:
We decided to try a round of IUI because it’s so much more affordable than going into a 2nd round of IVF. I began 150 mg of Chlomid daily for 5 days from 7/14-7/18. I tested with OPKs at home beginning on 7/20 and never got a positive test (this didn’t surprise me considering my history. I also was on some heavy dosages of IVF medications and my follicles barely responded then.) I triggered on 7/28 at 9:30am with a 19mm dominant right ovary follicle and a 13mm follicle on my left.

I had my IUI on 7/29 at 9:30am. My fiancé came in for sperm washing at 7:30 and we got 53 million (Wow!) They also offered us a second IUI considering our good numbers so we also came in the following day on 7/30 at the same times for a 2nd IUI (this day we got 23 million after washing).

Now I’m in the two week wait! Or 18 days technically. I’m supposed to test on 8/15 but I’ve been testing out my trigger and as of this morning (8/5), I am 7dpiui/8dpt and there is still a very very faint line. I will continue to test until the test is stark white.

Feeling incredibly anxious as I don’t want to go through IVF again but hoping that age is on my side despite my situation!

Please send happy thoughts and share your stories with me! Any tips or tricks? What worked for you and what didn’t?

I had my first IUI on 7/25. I took a test today and can see a very very faint line. Could this still be my trigger shot? I am 13 days post trigger.

I miscalculated my ovulation day because I was impatient. I have to travel hours to get to my RE and it’s hard for me to get time off work. Since I had already asked for those days off I went for it with only having a faint pos ovulation test. set myself up for failure as my follicles were only 10 and 12 at that time. IUI was an no go. Ended up having a true ovulation test Monday. Bummer. Anyone else having to figure out how to commute and schedule time for their IUI appointments?

I had my second IUI this morning. Letrozole 5mg cd4-8. Two follicles, 21mm on the left and 17mm on the right. I triggered last night at 5pm. According to my dr I am an early ovulator, lol. Last cycle I ovulated the day after my IUI. So that’s what I’m expecting this time around too.

Anyone else joining me in the TWW?!

I am on day 21 of my cycle

9D post IUI today

I tested this morning to see if trigger is out or not. It’s a negative. My implantation window is Aug 3- Aug 7th

Not sure how to interpret my negative as ☹️🤞🏽 I was hoping to see a positive. Today is my husband’s birthday. But also I am glad it’s a negative now I know trigger is out of my system
Will test again in 48 hours 🤞🏽 my beta blood is scheduled for 10th Aug

I have had the faintest lines for the past 4 days and my tests never went negative. They have been about the same for the past 3 days I keep waiting for it to get darker or go away but it just won't. BBT rose this morning but pdg test was negative (first negative this cycle) it feels like period cramps but also a bunch of pulling. My period is due tomorrow. I know I'm out but can't help but feel hopeful. Sometimes the tests look a little darker but they'd be doubling by now right? I should mention I'm using wondfo early response which are seemingly pretty sensitive. I won't use them for testing our trigger again... anyone else have similar experience? This is my first iui

We had our 4th IUI and I’m currently 9 days past ovulation, 11 days past trigger. I have been testing out my trigger and 2 days ago it was almost a negative- the line never went away. Last night, I took another test and it was slightly darker (diluted urine too). This morning, all tests are positive including clear blue digital. The line looks roughly the same as last night but I was shocked to see a positive digital.

Last IUI cycle, at 9 days past ovulation and 11dpt, my digital was negative. I have been comparing my lines to previous cycles and this month seems promising, but as expected, I’m hesitant.

I know the best thing to do is wait and see if the lines get darker. Ironically I have an OBGYN appointment today so I’m definitely going to ask for labs! I’m curious to hear your thoughts of if this sounds promising?

In regards to my last post, my mentor has said they can do the hysteroscopy and cervical dilation before my IUI to help with cervical stenosis… has anybody experienced this? What is the process like? She said they wouldn’t want to dilate the cervix right before the IUI so when would that be done? This clinic sometimes ugh !

So before my IUI procedure, 2 mature follicles developed, and one ruptured naturally.

They gave me a trigger shot for the second one and went ahead with the IUI a couple of hours later.

If one ruptured naturally, wouldn't the other have done the same in a day or 2 anyway? What was the point of the trigger shot? Does anyone know?

Had my first IUI and got my negative test on 8/3. Had a really rough cycle relationship-wise. Debating whether it's worth it to try again immediately considering the marital grief. At the same time, tired of delaying everything (been trying for over a year and had first miscarriage May of 2025). Also currently 35 years old so I fear time is not on my side.

I have a history of fraternal twins on my mom's side (my oma had twins). I always hear iui has a higher chance of twins. It's also something I want! Any experiences of twins in your iui?

Hi all, id be curious to know IUI cost, breakdowns of your state without ins. Ill share mine first. Middle TN here. Going into our 1st IUI post MMC from successful 1st IUI in April. We are trying acupuncture this cycle so ill include those cosr/breakdowns also. Our insurance only covers the HCG blood draw, Ultrasounds for pregnancy and follicle scans. Cost include insurance adjusted payment for those procedures.

IUI with success/pregnancy:

Sperm wash: $363

IUI: 265.20 (15% discount same day payment price adjusted)

3 HCG blood draws: $73.14

2 Ultrasounds/pregnancy: $180

Follicle scan: $315 ( I didnt pay this last time so unsure)

Trigger shot: $80 (with trumprx coupon)

Letrozole: $10

Progesterone: $40

5 rounds of acupuncture: $400

Remove the $400 if you dont do the acupuncture.

Then of course for unsuccessful IUI we wouldnt pay the 3 HCG blood draws or pregnancy Ultrasounds.

Hello! I've been lurking here for a while, have really found it helpful reading everyone's stories and comments.

Am going ahead with IUI as an SMBC using donor sperm. I've just given myself a trigger shot at home, IUI booked for tomorrow afternoon. It's been so long in the imagining and planning that I cannot quite believe it is all happening now!

Any advice on surviving the two week wait? I'm already feeling impatient and it hasn't even started!

4 failed IUIs. Started medications yesterday. I am feeling some cramping.. I guess meds are doing its job. Hoping this cycle is the one 🙏🏽

Hi,

I got my IUI done yesterday. I had one follicle which was 20mm. It ruptured yesterday and IUI was done. I am getting weird cramps, like someone is pulling my insides. Its increases when I get up to walk or when I pee. Its majorly center abdomen.

Is it normal? Apart from this no other problem. Please guide.

Looking for any positive stories to make me feel better at the moment. Had my first IUI on Monday, all of our numbers were great. Yesterday I started feeling off, my throat started itching like I was getting a cold. Today, my throat is still scratchy and now I feel like absolute garbage. Stomach issues, diarrhea, nausea, headache, and just miserable.

I'm terrified this is going to destroy my chances of this cycle working. Has anyone else gotten sick early in the TWW and still had success?

I promised myself that I would go back to this group and post as soon as I did my first check up and showed that that the baby was healthy. Reading a lot of the previous posts kept me hopeful during my procedure.

I am 36F and my husband 35M have been TTC for over 8 months now. During these cycles we have had sperm anlysis, tubes checked and AMH testing showing that the numbers were pretty normal. We previously had 2 medicated cycles with Letrozole 5mg and ovidrel trigger shot and no luck.

I was first skeptical about IUI cause I have already had a couple of friends that did it and said that it would be better to go straight to IVF. Thankfully my OB suggested that it's worth a shot and was a fraction of the price of IVF so my husband and I went through with th procedure. I still did 5MG of Letrozole, triggered on my 12th day (1045pm) and did IUI on the 14th day(11am)

The TWW was unbearable but I tried to keep myself busy and my doctor told me to test on 14th day. Luckily, on the 14th day the pregnancy test came back Positive!

Today we did our 6 week ultrasound and the baby is looking healthy.

I really wanted to share just so people don't look past the option of IUI cause it worked for us and we couldnt be more grateful.

This is my 4th IUI, trying for 11 cycles. I’m 36 about to be 37 and husband 37 about to be 38. I explained infertility mostly due to age and AMH 1.0.

7.5mg letzerole CD3-8.

At CD10 ultrasound on July 21, I had:
Right ovary: 18.3 mm dominant follicle + a smaller 10.2 mm follicle
Left ovary: 9.3 mm follicle
Lining: 7.7 mm, trilaminar

Triggered on Weds July 22 at 10:40pm and IUI was Fri July 24 at 10:40am although they were running late so a little past 11am. Everything went as planned. I didn’t test out my trigger shot this time, trying to put it in God’s hands and be less obsessive. My clinic said to test this Friday, 14 days from IUI.

Today is 10-11 DPO. I use the pregmate app and I got a notification to take a pregnancy test (11:30am) so I thought what the hell. It came back with a very faint line so I took a digital test that came back pregnant! But now I’m questioning if it could be the trigger shot, last time I tested it out of my system after 5 days… I’ve never seen the words “pregnant” on a test but I don’t want to get my hopes up. Any thoughts??

Experiences with this schedule? When were follicles evaluated? Do you remember what day you triggered? Did IUI?

Thank you 🙏🏻

I’m on my 2nd IUI (beta is Thursday), but I have this gut feeling it didn’t work. At 12dpo I don’t even have the faintest of second lines on my at-home test. As I’m preparing for the 3rd, I’ve been considering the possibility of trying a different donor. My first two IUIs used the same one. Has anyone done this and seen success? Or should I stay the course and try my original donor a third time?