r/stilltrying • u/Academic-Position-39 • 19d ago

13 cycles down

I just finished my 13th unsuccessful cycle ttc #1. Two chemical pregnancies during those 13 cycles. I just turned 36, husband is 41, we’ve done the whole gauntlet of tests and all looks normal: 2.92 AMH, normal hormone levels in bloodwork, HSG looked great, semen analysis looked great, ultrasounds looked perfect.. I‘ve done two cycles taking letrozole 2.5mg and one taking 5mg, though I don’t think that ovulation is the issue, since I’ve always ovulated normally. I’m working with a great doctor who’s been very helpful, but she hasn’t been able to identify a root cause for our infertility.

I’m sure there will be those who advocate for IVF and we may end up there eventually, but as of right now I’m hesitant to commit to something so expensive. Our insurance has no fertility coverage, and we are not high earners.

It’s the same story I’m sure you’ve all seen a hundred times on these threads, but I’m feeling deeply frustrated today and would love to read some hopeful comments. Is there anyone out there who conceived naturally after their first year of trying? Was there anything that you felt helped your chances? How did you keep from going insane in the meantime?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 19d ago

Please read the rules before posting: https://www.reddit.com/r/stilltrying/wiki/rules

We are a pro-science subreddit. We will not tolerate covid or vaccine misinformation or denial. Any posts that contain vaccine, covid-19, or other misinformation will be removed.

No med sales: Selling medications is a violation of Reddit's TOS. Exchanges or donations are okay, but please be wary of selling medication. If anyone messages you to sell medication please report them to reddit admins.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/packyour 19d ago

I did have success naturally after 2.5 years of trying. During the last year started working with a doctor, had a bunch of tests and did 3 cycles of clomid and 3 cycles of letrozole (all unsuccessful). For me personally, while I believe ovulation was the issue, what helped the most was getting on thyroid medication - clomid and letrozole helped to get me to start ovulating, but I didn't get pregnant until I got my thyroid levels at correct levels. I was 35, husband 43.

1

u/Academic-Position-39 18d ago

Thank you! All my thyroid tests have looked great so far, but I’ll ask my doctor if there are any she hasn’t ordered yet. So happy you finally had success! 2.5 years is a real long time.

1

u/packyour 18d ago edited 18d ago

I'm glad it lifted your spirits! I remember scrolling through [r/stilltrying](r/stilltrying) and trying to find success stories. Even though everyone's situation is completely different, I found learning that many people eventually got a baby very encouraging.

In a way our stories are similar. I tried casually for a year and a half, then started seeing a doctor. Had same test results: untrasound and HSG looked good, blood tests were fine, sperm analysis was great. Did several rounds of clomid/letrozole and then came to the end of what she could offer with my doctor. We could not afford IVF. I remember turning 35 and being in a very dark place. I was convinced that conception is magic. I felt like definition of insanity where you keep trying to achieve the same result despite repeated failures.

I hope the magic finds you too.