It is important to move forward in case of fertility treatment. There are several options to choose from. In case one treatment fails, there is another one to try out.
Be it first Clomid cycle or one’s fourth IUI, a failed fertility treatment cycle is terrible. Any cycle that does not lead to pregnancy that can feel bad. If one has plenty of emotional energy, time, and money, then one’s hopes are higher. Higher hopes do imply more frustration when fertility treatment does not go as per plan. Ivf treatment in Hyderabad is excellent.
With persistence and the right treatment plan, most couples can eventually get a baby.
Is it possible to get pregnant on the first try? Yes, at times. It is important to know that even people with naturally good fertility are not necessarily guaranteed a quickly conceived pregnancy. Depending on the prognosis and which fertility treatments are suggested, going through several cycles may be required.
What should you do after a failed fertility treatment cycle? How do you know if you should move onto another treatment or when to keep trying with the same protocol? Here’s what the research has to say.
Fertility Treatment Differs from individual to individual
When speaking about fertility treatment, it is often assumed that everyone’s fertility treatment path does look like this: first Clomid, then IUI with injectables, then IVF.
Almost every treatment modality have “additions” that may be adjusted or added on. Clomid can be tried alone. Or, it may perhaps be used along with metformin, baby aspirin, progesterone, IUI, or a trigger shot of hCG. Or the doctor can switch from Clomid to letrozole. These changes or additions can be used right from the start, or one’s doctor may be able to adjust plans later. Ivf treatment in Hyderabad covers all these aspects.
Secondly, not every person should start at Clomid. For some, it is better to go straight to IUI or even IVF. In case of blocked fallopian tubes or severe male factor infertility, IVF is a better option.
Thirdly, at times treatment is tried that may not succeed, but yet a person wants to try it out.
When Clomid (or Letrozole) Treatment Fails
Clomid, also known as clomiphene citrate, is the most commonly prescribed fertility drug. Letrozole is not a fertility drug by design. Incidentally, it is a cancer drug, but it works a lot like Clomid. Letrozole may be better for women who do not ovulate on Clomid or for women with PCOS.
As far as the female factor infertility with mild to moderate ovulation problems, Clomid can indeed be successful. For those who tend to get pregnant on Clomid, they will conceive in the first three months.
In fact, with Clomid, having more than six cycles is discouraged. There is a risk of cancer also.
In case Clomid (or Letrozole) does not work after three to six cycles then Injectables with IUI are usually the next.
When Injectables/Gonadotropins or IUI Fail
Gonadotropins are injectable fertility drugs. They may be used alone to stimulate ovulation, and then the couple does have sexual intercourse timed for ovulation to conceive. Or, they may be used along with intrauterine insemination (IUI).
IUI can also be recommended in cases of mild male infertility.
If IUI is not successful, IVF is often the next step. It is better to be aware that every treatment cycle that fails does bring an emotional toll. The more failed cycles a couple of experiences, the more likely they may be to decide to stop trying altogether. The per-cycle success rates are higher for IVF than IUI. Secondly, IUI is less expensive than IVF, but at the same time, it is not inexpensive.
In case IVF is within reach, a person would like to move on from IUI after three cycles.
When IVF Fails
IVF treatment may be recommended if the fallopian tubes are blocked, in some cases of male factor infertility, or if previous fertility treatments were rather unsuccessful. IVF treatment is invasive and expensive.
Sometimes, an IVF cycle may not be able to reach embryo transfer. This is referred to as IVF cancellation. This is a slightly different situation from when an IVF cycle does get to embryo transfer but does not result in pregnancy.
What Happens When IVF Doesn’t Result in Pregnancy?
Physicians do understand that often many attempts may be necessary.
IVF treatment can be altered or enhanced with a variety of additional assisted reproductive technologies.
When Egg Donor Treatment Fails
Egg donor IVF may be recommended in cases of primary ovarian insufficiency (premature ovarian failure).
Testing may indeed include repeat or further hormonal blood work (especially checking thyroid and prolactin levels) and uterine evaluations, such as saline sonohysterogram or hysteroscopy.
Unfortunately, in several cases, there can be no reason to be identified for repetitive failure, and the best option would be another embryo transfer. Several patients do conceive on their fourth or fifth transfer cycle.
When egg donor IVF fails, it is known as gestational surrogacy.
What Happens After a Failed Cycle Regardless of Treatment
Issues need to be discussed with a doctor such as :
1. Any possible risks of sticking with the same treatment:
For example, Clomid should not be used for more than six cycles. Or, another example, doing repeat IUIs may be exhausting one’s emotional and financial reserves.
3. What additional testing may be recommended if any:
A person can go in for genetic screening, karyotyping, testing for reproductive immunology issues, or a more advanced uterine evaluation.
4. What changes should be made, if any:
Discussing additional risks, costs, and success rates when adding in these changes should also be explained.
What the next step would be if one moves on.
There are times when a couple may request a second opinion from another physician.
Ivf treatment in Hyderabad does provide the requisite facility to be able to conceive a healthy child.
