My husband is sterile due to a surgery for treatment of testicular cancer. They severed the nerve that causes ejaculation. He has some sperm frozen, and they've been frozen for about 10 years. We have been through fertility treatments before (artificial insemination). We discovered that I don't ovulate every month. I had to be internally (ultrasound) monitored during my predicted ovulation, and if an egg actually was released, then we did the insemination. We had three tries over the course of one year, but none were successful. We quit fertility treatments and have adopted a beautiful baby girl.

Now we are in the process of adopting again, but I still would like to try fertility treatments. The problem now is the cost and we live in a very small town without any fertility doctors. I would like to try to monitor ovulation at home and then drive to the closest clinic (1.5 hours) to have the insemination.

So, for those of you who have tried the home ovulation kits, do they accurately predict ovulation. In other words, if you are ovulating, you get a positive, but if, for some reason, you don't ovulate one month, does it give you a negative? This information is most helpful because I know that I don't ovulate every month, and we only have about 18 tries with his sperm anyway.

Any information would be great. BTW, we tried fertility with clomid and then the shot to ensure ovulation (the first time it didn't work). The next insemination was done tracking my natural cycle (no clomid), that resulted in bleeding three days after insemination. The last try we did clomid again and closely monitored my ovulation. I actually dropped two eggs, but didn't get pregnant.

I'm approaching 30, and could have an adoptive baby anytime now, so I'm not too worried about doing this right away, but I would like some solid information to pass onto my husband. Thanks!

Amy

Ovulation predictor kits (the kind you buy off the shelf in the drugstore) measure the surge of Lutenizing Hormone that occurs a day or so before ovulation. That's all it measures, it says nothing about whether an egg came out. I don't know enough about medicine to know whether you can have an LH surge and not really ovulate. But it's better than going by the calendar! IF you are ovulating that's when it's going to be.

I did 5 inseminations and they all were based on the ovulation predictor kit. I would call when it was positive and come in for the IUI the following morning.

If you have a limited sperm supply why are they going with IUI rather than IVF?

That's a good question, but I don't think the answer would be very popular on this board. I have a few different issues with IVF. It is too expensive, and the chances of it working for the cost don't really motivate me. I also have some personal moral issues with it. But that is very personal to me and I don't have any problem with other people reaching a different conclusion. IVF has been a miracle for a lot of couples. I think IUI gives me more of a natural chance, and if it doesn't work, then I can accept that. Like I said before, I have a beautiful daughter through adoption, so I know I can be a mother without ever being pregnant, but I'd sure like the experience if possible.

Thanks for answering my post. I might have to talk to my GYN next time I go in.

Amy

Amy - I was so happy to read your post about IVF. My husband and I have, I believe, some of the same issues regarding IVF. I would love to have a baby, but the thought of having more babies inside of me than my body can handle and having to make a decision of "selective reduction" is one of the things that is keeping us from trying IVF. There are other issues as well, but I wanted to let you know that there is someone on this board that understands you. I would never put anyone down and I think ICF is a great option for a lot of people to have a child, just not a great option for us at this time in our lives. I admire the fact that you have adopted...I believe that will be our next step - but it scares me, as well.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I support you and your decision. I honestly believe that most people on this board would support your decision, as well. We may not all agree on everything, but we can still support one another in our decision making process. What is right for one is not always right for another and the purpose of this board is to be supportive of one another regardless.

On your question regarding LH ovluation kits. I am not 100% sure on this, but, in my case, I am pretty sure they do a good job of predicting when I am ovulating. I have used them for the past 13 months, I have not gotten pregnant, but I am one that has pretty severe pain when I ovulate, so I know the kits are working to tell me when I will ovulate. I know that, in addition with the LH predictor kits, your doctor can do a progesterone test a week after you are supposed to have ovulated and that can also help tell you if you are actually ovulating or not.

I went through 3 cycles of IUI with Clomid, each time was different for me, but it did throw my ovulation back a few days from where it had been before Clomid. The most follicles I ever had was 2 that were large enough, several smaller ones 16 and under. We also have a male factor. I am scheduled to see an RE tomorrow to find out where we go from here.

Best of Luck to you and your hubby. Loads of Baby Dust!! :angel:

~ravae

ps - sorry this got so long...

Ravae,
Thank you for your kind words of support. I always knew as a child I would adopt, so it really was a natural decision for us, but there still is this "biological clock" ticking. My hubby doesn't really understand because he isn't missing anything. But like I posted, being pregnant isn't what makes someone a mom. Adoption is a great alternative for anyone on either side of the pregnancy issue. But enough on that tangent.

So are you telling me that your ovulation kit didn't tell you that you were ovulating when you weren't? In other words, if you didn't have any pain, you don't think you ovulated. Was the kit on target with that? I may just have to look more into it.

You know the frustrating part about our infertility is if it were just me or just him we wouldn't have much problem conceiving. Also, I consider myself extremely fortunate that we knew about our fertility problems before we got married, and we didn't have to go through that trial and error part of treatments.

Anyway, I'm glad that there are others who believe as I do, but I agree that no matter what we believe, we can still support and encourage each other. Okay, my daughter wants me to use this icon :wave: So have a good day!

Amy

Amy - I was saying that the ovulation kits work for me. They have not ever given me a false positive that I am aware of. I have had pain each month the day after I get a positive LH test. I am pretty sure that they will not give you a positive reading if you are not going to ovulate. There are also fairly new saliva tests you can use...I have not tried them, but from what I have read they are to be 90% accurate. Like I said before, I would have them do a progesterone test a week after you are supposed to have ovulated...I think that is when I was really convinced that I was ovulating.

We are going to start on Repronex injectibles next month along with IUI. We will be in just about the same situation as you in that we will be doing the LH tests at home and then drive an hour to have the insemination done. They will be doing ultra sounds and bloodwork 4 times during the cycle, as well, to be sure I am ovulating and I am ready for insemination.

Again, Good Luck to you guys. Keep me posted.

~ravae