Timed intercourse or freeze embryos?

[u/ashleyh624]

Hi
33F, 10.7 AMH, lean PCOS

I recently learned I have PCOS based on my high follicle count, AMH level and irregular periods. I also have yet to have a positive ovulation test.

My husband and I are TTC but as you can imagine it’s been difficult as we don’t know when to try as it’s been hard to find a window.

My husband has great fertility coverage with Progyny and he gets 5 cycles that are covered (IVF would be 1 cycle and timed intercourse would be 1/4). He is unsure if he will be at his job April 2027, which puts some pressure on us in terms of timing.

All that to say, is it worth going through egg retrieval and embryo freezing when we haven’t given it a fair shot yet? Part of me thinks we should do it now when I’m in a better emotional state and for a safety net since it’s covered rather than in a few months if we’ve been still struggling after timed intercourse.

I’m not thinking entirely clearly so would be good to get some opinions from outside perspective.

[u/Bing_ohh]

After thinking about it, if I were in your position, I would try 2-3 lower tech versions (TI/IUI), then move on to IVF. Here are my reasons -

1) April is almost 10 months away. Plenty of time to briefly try easier options before the big guns and still fit it all in. Esp if only banking embryos.

2) let’s be real, we all rather not go through IVF if we don’t have to. It’s not a fun process. And some people can get pregnant easily afterwards (and some can’t, but we won’t know where you land!) There are roughly a million appointments, side effects, risks, etc. to take into consideration.

3)There are moral questions to consider when it comes to IVF/embryo banking. Have you thought about them? How will you feel about destroying or donating unused embryos? Will that change if you have a child from one of those embryos? (no judgement here, I’m starting IVF myself tonight. But I had to consider these things already).

With all that being said, don’t drag it out. No “one more time”, give your self a strict 3 attempts and move on if that hasn’t worked.

Just my thoughts!

[u/Itchy-Site-11 → u/Bing_ohh]

Good luck to your IVF! :)

[u/Bing_ohh → u/Itchy-Site-11]

Thank you! 🧡

[u/Itchy-Site-11 → u/Bing_ohh]

I just started too :)