How many rounds?

MrsS728

Hi everyone! For the last few months I've been just checking out the board, but haven't really posted or commented as my husband and I weren't officially TTC until last month. Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. My GYN wants my husband to get a SA (which is scheduled already) and then try 2 rounds of Clomid before referring me to a specialist. Is this common? I feel like 2 rounds isn't really enough when it takes normal couples 6 months or so...I've been off BCP since January, but we used precautions because we weren't ready just yet (we wanted to buy a house first). We really haven't been given the opportunity to try naturally to conceive, but I also understand that she is concerned with our ages (I'm 30 and he's 34). What have your experiences been with Clomid and the number of rounds?

Panderp

It depends on how aggressive your doctor is. We did Clomid with our O/B for like... idk...4 months? I can't remember. My RE said that he wouldn't have done more than 3, because if it's not working in those couple of months, then it's not likely to work (Clomid really doesn't have a high success rate). 

Listen, try on your own until you're comfortable. When you have a diagnosis of a fertility problem, and you're discussing conception with a doctor, they are presuming that you are ready. Do the SA, try a little bit if things are fine and wait until you're ready. Your doctor is moving forward according to protocol. If you're not ready for a protocol, don't do it. 

amccul20

welcome.

I wouldn't necessarily be worried about your ages. 

will your doctor monitor you while you're taking the clomid? Because that is really important.

PinkinProvence

Hi!

Your age is not a concern so I wouldn't do fertility treatments just for that reason unless you are really, really ready.  Clomid (and most IF medication) have hormonol side effects and can easily strain a marriage.

If you decide you are ready, I would only do Clomid with your regular OB, if he is going to monitor you(bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc.)  It is not a long term solution.  If he is not planning on doing anything other than prescribing you pills, I would see an RE.  Since you already have a diagnosis of PCOS, there is no reason for you to wait a year until you consult with an RE.  If you do decide to consult with an RE, I would have DH wait to do his SA at their lab or else he might have to do it again.

Good luck!

BruinsBabe33

What Panderp said. Also, I would make sure you had an HSG done to make sure your tubes are clear.

We did four rounds of Clomid. The first two cycles with it were successful in the sense that it made me ovulate, the third cycle failed (I did not ovulate), so they increased my dosage and I did ovulate. Do you know if you are ovulating on your own or not? I did not ovulate without the Clomid, so it was helpful to us in our journey. If you are ovulating already Clomid may not be the answer. You may not even need to consider Clomid. It is your call if you want to try naturally for a while. Don't feel pressured to go to a specialist if you do not feel comfortable with it. Some women are able to get pregnant quickly even with PCOS. Also, 30 is not old.

ecinereb

You've already got lots of good advice. I'd give the same advice as bruins! Have an HSG first and clomid's not neccesarily needed if you're already ovulating on your own. It's an option when your ready.
To answer your question, most REs recommend 3 cycles of something before moving on.
I did 3 cycles of clomid and TI, ovulated the first 2. Then increased the dose and added IUI, got pg both times but neither stuck.

Aimothy

I did three cycles of Clomid with my OB before moving on to the RE.  I ovulated on 100 mg and 150 mg (not 50 mg) but none of them were successful in getting me pregnant.  I did not ovulate regularly/at all on my own when I started working with the OB.