Hormones/Drugs

In our attempts at parenthood, I have done my share of research.  I managed to overcome my needle-phobia so that I could benefit from acupuncture.  The meaning of this became especially clear when I was receiving after-transfer treatment last year.  Even though by then I had been going to acupuncture for some time, that day, it was different.  That day, I carried human life within me.  That day, I was a mother!  And as I lay there taking deep breaths and trying to think of my happy place while the acupuncturist inserted the various needles, I remember mentally telling my kids, “this is for you.” This cycle is the first time I am on estrogen.  I was thrilled that my doctor agreed to an injection-free protocol.  Instead, I wear four skin… [more]

Writing about the creation of life is about beginning again. There is so much information available today for most people who are trying to conceive. Websites, blogs, advertisements, all leading to potential answers and antidotes which will certainly help you become pregnant. After having gone through so many infertility treatments, experiments on my body, mind and soul, it would inevitable lead to the "Begin Again". And, every time, the begin again was so excruciating and so painful, and yet there was the promise of next time. This is where the mind is so powerful over being influenced by those involved in this multi-million dollar industry. Your goal is to be a parent and you will go through things so incredible to have a… [more]

There I was lying on a beach feeling warm in the sun. My skin started feeling warm, then hot, and then an intense burning sensation came over me. I tried to cool off, but nothing helped. I suddenly woke up from my dream covered in sweat feeling like I had the flu. That was my first, and sadly not the last, hot flash I experienced while on Clomid. Most studies on Clomid report that about 10% of women will experience hot flashes while taking the medicine. There is no way of knowing which side effects a person will experience so it’s all trial and error. If your doctor is like mine he/she will try and show you that most people, 9 out… [more]

I remember all to well the time when I excitedly, and with much anxiety and trepidation, began clomid treatment. I soon learned that I had very little to get excited about though, because as mentioned in another posting, clomid ended up being the worst medication for me in terms of side effects and that it never resulted in a viable pregnancy. At the time, however, I was naive about just how difficult it actually can be to conceive and thought that it was sure to work. When it was finally prescribed I had already spent many, many months searching out stories of its success or failure and was wondering why in the world my doctor had not yet… [more]

I was very reluctant to stop taking my Progesterone In Oil (or PIO) shots and move on to the Crinone 8% vaginal progesterone gel. When I begged my doctor to let me stay on the shots (crazy I know) he told me that I would love the gel - that it would be so much easier, a lot less painful, and would work just the same. Crinone 8% is most commonly used by women undergoing fertility treatments to provide progesterone to change the lining of the uterus to aid in implantation and then to sustain a pregnancy. I did not begin to take Crinone until after I was done with the PIO shots and continued to take it through 12… [more]

It's easy to concentrate on the negatives of infertility, but when I talk to friends who have "surprise" pregnancies or to those who are indifferent about having a child I realize that there is one "positive." We go through so much to start our families that there is no doubt that if and when we do conceive we know that the child is wanted and will be loved. Every moment of the pregnancy is precious and I honestly believe that infertile people sometimes have more patience with their children as new parents because they truly realize that they are miracles and appreciate finally having the opportunity to deal with a crying (or preferably happy) baby. Couples who are infertile… [more]

Throughout the course of my infertility struggles I felt as though I was constantly peeing on sticks! Whether a test for ovulation or a home pregnancy test, it seems that at every time of the month there was some reason that I would need to hold a little plastic stick in my urine stream and wait for results. The ovulation testing in particular, posed a number of problems. The recommended testing time is in the afternoon, right about the time I am at work with people all around and no real private bathroom time. I work in a unique environment with all employees in one room and a shared bathroom that everyone can see you going in and… [more]

I have mentioned in previous posts that the very first fertility treatment I tried was clomiphine citrate, more commonly called Clomid or Serophene. I was initially prescribed Clomid after my diagnosis of PCOS. Prior to starting the Clomid medication I had tracked my cycles and realized that I do not reliably ovulate each month - it was definitely hit or miss. The goal of Clomid is to induce ovulation and when I told my ob/gyn that I was not ovulating every month he assured me that Clomid had an excellent success rate and that he was confident that it would do the trick. He remarked that I would only be allowed to take the Clomid for six cycles, but told… [more]

If I hadn't been having trouble conceiving I probably would have never been diagnosed with PCOS. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is just one of the litany of problems that I bring to the table in efforts to conceive and one that long-term will probably have the most substantial impact on my health and well-being. Nevertheless, when I am visiting doctors other than the ob/gyn or fertility specialist I often forget to mention (on forms or in person) that I even have PCOS. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately one in ten women that is typically characterized by cysts on the ovaries, irregular periods, and high levels of male hormones or androgens. It is the most… [more]

It seems to me that a certain phenomena exists among those struggling with fertility that involves a "competition" of sorts among those having trouble conceiving. Those who are "just" trying clomid or similar medications to induce ovulation don't know true suffering. If you are successful with IUI or injectibles you haven't really had to endure the hard stuff. If one IVF cycle works you can't imagine the pain of multiple failed cycles. If you use donor eggs or donor sperm you are in a club of your own and so on. Same thing goes for age - if you are 24 and proclaim that you have been trying for sooo long, it is really hard for someone… [more]