Fertility Drugs: Which Ones Work and How Do I Bring It up with My Husband?

I never had an issue with this, but a family member of mine has. She tried for almost a year. Sounds simple enough but what ended up working for her was starting a log book of all of her periods and taking pre-natal vitamins. The log will help you narrow down exactly when you're going to ovulate. Might be something you would want to try before going through all the expensive/invasive things drs will do!

Hi C.,
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I would make an appt. with your ob/gyn and make sure everything checks out there. You can bring up the fertility drug issue with your doctor and then discuss what the doctor said with your husband. I'm not sure why you would have an issue bringing this up with your husband in the first place...

I went through infertility years ago and it sounds like the drugs are different now--though there is still Clomid of course. You do want your husband on board. Infertility can be an emotional rollercoaster and you definitely want him by your side. And it doesn't sound like you know for sure that you actually do have a problem. I would suggest talking with your husband about this and then schedule a gyne appt for yourself. Your husband should also have a count done. As much as men hate to hear the problem could be with them, it can happen. Sometimes it can be related to medication. I have seen a lot of suggestions for "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" and many women seem to swear by it. Something to think about. Since you say that he is wanting the baby too, just tell him you need to talk about it and what the next steps can be. Put in the suggestion of a physical and fertility checkup just to make sure.

C.,

Hi! You didn't say how long you've been trying to conceive, but after a year is when most doctors will begin to look at treatments. My husband and I didn't get pregnant for a year, and my gynecologist ran some blood work. We found out my progesterone was slightly low, so he prescribed Clomid. We were pregnant the next month. Yes, you should discuss this with your husband. You are both in this together, and he needs to be there to support you through whatever process you go through. If you're not sure how to start the conversation, just let him know that you've been trying for awhile and are curious why you haven't become pregnant yet. See where the conversation goes, and bring up that you would like to see a doctor to help figure out why it hasn't happened yet.

Good luck to you!

Hello! My husband and I went through fertility treatments for years and we had 2 beautiful babies through IVF and we are now pregnant with our 3rd (& final!) baby from IVF as well. Having been down your path for so long, I can say that absolutely you & your husband need to be a team on everything. It can be an emotional roller coaster and you have to support each other. Also, there may be some "male-factor" fertility issues that are contributing, and your husband should be tested to guarantee the best possible success. As far as which drugs work best? Every couple's issues are different and it could be misleading to say that one drug universally works. Best to get some testing done and work with your Dr to figure out the best path for you. Best of luck to you!

Doctors are willing to test and talk with you after you have been "trying" to get pregnant for a year without success. Most of them will not talk with you before that.

Then they start testing. Are your periods regular? Taking Charge (already mentioned) shows you how to map your periods and ovulation-that information should be VERY helpful to show a doctor.

Glulcophage is used for people with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), so you would want to be diagnosed before using it. Clomid is more of a basic fertility drug. I took Letrozole which is "a step down from clomid". When taking these drugs, risk of multiples goes up (we got twins). Keep that in mind.

Yes you should talk with him. These drugs and medications can effect your moods and you want him with you all the way.

I would start with "now that it's been a year, I'd like to talk to my ob/gyn"... Often they will refer (at some point) to a reproductive endocrinologist (fertility hormones) doctor.

Sorry so long, but I think this detail is helpful.

Trying to get pregnant is frustrating, I'm sorry you have to go through it. Good luck!!!

Hi C.,

Depending on your age and how long you've been trying, you need to see an RE (reproductive Endocronologist). You have what's know as secondary infertility. It could be a number of things or nothing at all. Sometimes, when your trying too hard to get pregnant, it doesn't work. Too much stress! It's difficult to get pregnant when your under a lot of stress. Also, Glucophage is a diabetes drug so no one is going to put you on that unless you a type 2 diabetic. Dr's these days always start with the Clomid before anything else unless your getting up there in age (over 40). Please don't wait to talk to your husband. The longer you wait, the harder it gets. I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

S.

I don't know your age, but if you are under 35 I would give chiropractic & acupuncture a try first. Your weight & diet could also play a part in fertility, so talk with a nutritionist. If nothing happens in 4-6 months then talk to a fertility specialist.

When it was taking a while for us to get pregnant, I first discussed it with my dr. then my husband, he wanted a baby too so he said whatever we have to do, lets try it. She first gave me prometrium to have a period, at the same time I started taking Glucophage/metformin, then on the correct day (can't remember) I took clomid. This is a common treatment for PCOS girls to get pregnant. Do keep in mind they say there is like a 3% chance for multiples... I had twins, and everyone I know who took clomid also has twins, so I am not so sure about those numbers. My cousin also has PCOS and only used metformin, leading to two pregnancy's both just one baby! so you may want to try metformin first...it does tend to take a couple months to kick in but you tend to only have one baby, if you would like to avoid multiples! Best of luck to you..sending baby dust :)

I agree with the other posts. You need to go to a reproductive endocrinologist and get tests done to see whether it's male factor or something with you. If there are fertility issues and it's something that cannot be fixed then they will recommended doing IUI and if that doesn't work then IVF would be the next option. All the RE have their stats listed. Go to cdc.gov -> Reproductive Endocrinology or sart.org to find the stats. Good luck!

It might be nothing but a timing issue. for 2 years we tried and I was even on clomed for several months with no success. I then got Clear Blue Easy ovulation kit (about $200.00), plus the about 2 months worth of pee sticks and got pregnant the 2nd month. I used it again a year later and got pregnant on the first try. It sounds expensive, but it's much cheaper than going thru all these different kinds of test. My sister and cousin and 2 friends used mine and all got pregnant using it.

Good luck.

You may want to consider the mind/body aspect of fertility with a hypnotist. Subconscious beliefs and stress can be at the root of infertility and hypnosis is a safe way to relax your body and mind.
Have you heard of cases where once a couple proceeds with adoption they become pregnant? Once they let go of the pressure of the need to conceive pregnancy happens naturally.
Hypnotic trance is a relaxed state of focus that we all experience several times a day. Watching TV, reading a good book or driving a very familiar route are some examples. In this state you will be able to adjust the belief, concern or attitude that may be preventing conception.

Since you've already had one child, you know you can (all the "parts" are there, so to speak). I would avoid fertility drugs until a final answer.
If you already have a child, then you are also likely under some stress--even good, but active!
I took prenatals months before even going off the pill. Also, I ignored the "best" times to try and just had good clean, marital relations :) Kept the stress down.

As for treatments, I do know an acupuncturist who has helped a few women to get pregnant! She has taught me that Chinese medicine was first originated thousands of years ago to help with women's issues before ever becoming the general practice that it is now. Tried and proven! And since there are not any medications rolling around, you don't have to worry about side effects.
Massage can also help to destress your body and giving yourself "me" time can give your body the concept of relaxing and repairing, instead of working too hard.

Just some other ideas, a lot cheaper than fertility treatments! As long as you've ruled out medical issues, that's where I would start when we try for #2!
good luck and all the best to you.

I agree with the last poster. Any good fertility Dr. is going to want to run tests on both of you. If you and your husband are on the same page when it comes to having kids this shouldn't be hard to bring up. We had our first daughter right with no problems after we were married. Then we couldn't get pregnant. We believe it was from a C section infection I developed after the birth but no one could confirm that. We both wanted a large family and were heart broken when we couldn't get pregnant again. We saw a fertility Dr. because we wanted to a. find out why we weren't getting pregnant and b. try to do something about it. Unfortunately it's not just a matter of getting some fertility drugs and bam your pregnant. Both you and your husband will have to talk to the Dr.,both of you will have to have tests run, and you are in for what could be shots daily and drugs and sometimes several visits a week for blood work. Your Dr. after running tests will tell you what drugs will be best for you. There is no poster that can make that decision or suggestion for you. If your husband wants to have a baby it shouldn't be hard to get him to go along for a visit. The Dr will walk you both through what will happen and then you can decide if you want to proceed. Good luck, it's a lot of work and not as fun as doing it naturally, but worth it in the end. :)

You don't say how old you are, but I can vouch for the acupuncture - I have taken depo provera in the past which can be a sticking point in trying to get pregnant, and I am 41; I went for acupuncture and it worked the first time around! It's definitely natural, and worth a try, at least for a few cycles...

There is lots of good advice here, including the importance of seeing a good fertility doctor right away. Charles Miller in Arlington Heights is excellent-he knows exactly what treatments to use. It is imperative that you also be checked for ENDOMETRIOSIS, which was my problem. This is VERY commonly ignored, misdiagnosed, mistreated, etc. At the age of 40, I was pregnant three months after Dr. Miller performed laproscopic surgery on me to remove the endometriosis, and had no problem having my second child, as well. Best of luck to you!!

You need to talk to your husband. Fertility can be very successful (3 out of my 4 are fertilityz0), however sometimes there can be a lot entailed and it can be a long road. I was fortunate enough for it to be very quick for me, but the drugs still put you on a rollar coaster of emotions. You should allow him to prepare for that. Good luck.

C.,
I would tell him, even if he wants more children. I took clomid and it didn't take the first dosage, but took the second. I have a beautiful 2.5 year old little girl. Good luck!!!

Hi C.!!! My husband & I went through this very problem. First of all talk to your husband about wanting to try fertility treatments, it's not a easy road!! We did go to my OBGYN & my husband was sent to a Urologist (i think) We tried Clomid, HCG injections, & IUI's for a year & we had tried a year on our own without any success from any of it. I decided to look for something natural on my own & found nativeremedies.com they specialize in liquid chinese herbs. I bought the Fertile XX & took one months worth & became pregnant!! I'm a huge believer in these herbs I even have my 3 yr old on herbs for his immune system & asthma!! We tried for 2 yrs to conceive with no luck (even w/fertility treatments) until I took these herbs!!! Our second son was born Oct 20, 2009!!! Good luck!!