Iui

I tried IUI. It didn't work but that's not because there's anything wrong with the procedure, rather that my particular problem (unknown at the time) would have meant it would never have worked.

I had to pay privately as it's not available on the NHS in my PCT. The cost wasn't too bad (much less than IVF). The amount of drugs you take are typically less than with IVF so in terms of how it affects you hormonally, I found it to be fine. Injecting yourself is also much easier than you ever think it will be (unless perhaps you're needle-phobic!).

Like all fertility treatments it's an emotional rollercoaster - I found the mental side of IUI (and then IVF) far harder than the physical side.

IUI is basically about creating the optimum conditions for a successful conception, i.e. the best eggs, at the right time, with the best sperm. It still leaves a lot to nature/chance, hence it does have a lower success rate than IVF. On the plus side, it's less invasive (no egg collection) and much cheaper. It's main drawback is that, unlike IVF, it has no diagnostic side to it. With IVF, once you get those eggs/embryos under a microscope you can actually find out a lot. With IUI you're very much in the dark. If it doesn't work, you'll be none the wiser as to why.

I don't know your personal circumstances, nor do I know about what funding is available to you. It's a difficult one because if it works you'll always think it was the right thing to do, but if it doesn't and you end up subsequently conceiving via IVF you might think it was a bit of a waste of time.

I will be following this thread with interest, because scary coincidentally I was going to start one more or less asking the same questions.

My best friend conceived on her 2nd IUI attempt, had her little girl in December

She has PCOS. Before that they had 3 rounds of Clomid, all unsuccessful and their first try at IUI didn't work.

She said she didn't really think it was going to work and was just going through the motions of what the doctor and hospital had said was the protocol (Clomid, 3xIUI, then IVF). She believed that their only option would be IVF, and was very surprised when she got her BFP! She even got a negative on her test date, then a positive the day after.

It obviously does work for some people or they wouldn't do it, but like the previous poster said, I think it has alot to do with your particular problem.

Good luck!! xx

How low is low BlueMeanie? My huband has a low sperm count and the successful IUI was with 11.2million post wash sperm. I am not sure IUI is the best for low sperm count.

My IUI was on the NHS so I only paid for medication. Have you been to see your GP? And also looked at your local fertility clinics? They usually show their costs on their websites.