QuestionWe're doing at home iui..and i've got pcos,which my ob/gyn is treating w/Glucophage. I'm currently trying to lose weight,and each time we do an insemination,I take Clomid. My level last time was a 22. My periods are regular,as are my ovulations. My doctor says that stress is what's keeping me from conceiving,but when we do the insemination,all I can think of for the next two weeks is whether or not I'm pregnant. How can I relax and "just let it happen"? Also,if I'm ovulating/having regular periods,does that mean I'm fertile? I'm from Talladega,Alabama.
AnswerHello Kelley from the U.S.,
If you have regular menstrual cycles, that means that you are ovulating. I presume that you were having regular cycles before taking the Metformin, is that correct? The main problem with PCOD is that it causes the ovary to dysfunction and NOT ovulate, so if you are ovulating, you don't have a problem with the PCOD. That means, you should NOT be taking metformin. In this case, the Clomid is helping you to ovulate more than one egg at a time, and your doctor is doing things all wrong!
Anyone doing IUI's should be under close supervision by a fertility specialist or a doctor knowledgeable in infertility. That means that your doctor should be monitoring you to know when to do the IUI. In addition, IUI is when the sperm is injected into the uterus. Since most regular people don't have the equipment to do this, nor are able to prepare the sperm for this purpose, I presume you are not doing IUI (raw sperm cannot be injected into the uterus. It causes severe cramping and doesn't work).
I get increasingly upset as I hear stories where patients are put on Clomid unsupervised, which is a waste of time, money and improper medical care. I would strongly urge you to seek out another Physician who is preferably a fertility specialist. I'm afraid that you are wasting your time.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on facebook and twitter with me at @montereybayivf
