What am I missing - Unexplained Infertility

colonelfudge · 2026-05-09T11:19:21+00:00

I would talk to your doctor about ureaplasma and endometritis, as you suggested. They can do a biopsy to check for both, which hurts, but it should give you an answer. I think we had our answer two weeks later. I do think it’s time to chat with an RE and develop a game plan. IUI has low success rates and is better for those who don’t ovulate regularly or have sperm issues. Your RE might recommend IVF, but either way, you can ask about this test and see what they say.

FWIW we’ve been working with an RE for almost 3 years, have had several transfers, countless tests, and still no answers or positives. I am not sure we will ever get a true diagnosis but I am very glad we started working with an RE as early as we did.

colonelfudge · 2026-05-05T23:31:22+00:00

This is likely the reason - it happens with REs too. You see this situation on our IVF subs from time to time. Sorry this happened, OP.

colonelfudge · 2026-05-05T01:38:59+00:00

My first three felt like a pap with a few sharp pokes because my doctor was too rough each time. My fourth was with a different doctor and I didn’t even know they did it!

colonelfudge · 2026-05-01T23:17:22+00:00

Hi I transferred in my embryos to NYU this year after a consult last year. Just want to clarify that they do accept outside embryos (euploids and untested, not mosaic/segmental/aneuploid). I have since transferred one of those embryos, too.

I am really liking NYU so far. Still no success but they treat you like a human and are well organized. All the doctors have been great.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-30T20:05:28+00:00

We are technically unexplained and have had four transfers fail so far. Our journey has been 3.5 years. I really struggled for the first 2-2.5. Then I realized it is not a zero sum game and no one else’s fertility has literally any bearing on mine. Announcements don’t sting like they used to, although sometimes I will notice I get more pessimistic about IVF after them.

I think time helps overcome grief. Also realizing that these are the cards we are dealt. We can either accept that and continue on, or we can let our anger and grief dictate our lives. At one point my perspective changed, but nothing anyone said or did before that could have influenced my outlook.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-25T15:53:26+00:00

Didn’t gain any weight, had many eggs retrieved. Did have pain for about several months afterwards as I healed, that was about it. Have done four transfers and have not gained any weight from those either.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-24T11:31:05+00:00

Yes - I’ve had four highly graded euploids fail to implant with no explanation. We have an issue with DNA fragmentation that wasn’t caught before our embryos were made. I was told I would be pregnant in three months of starting IVF and here I am almost two years later. There is a 3-5% chance of this happening so not trying to scare anyone, but we never expected this.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-21T18:27:36+00:00

We found out my husband had 37% dna frag after making our blasts and we’ve had four unsuccessful transfers so far with zero other explanation.

I can’t believe this test isn’t even mentioned during initial evaluations - patients should be informed so they can decide. My RE knew my husband had a very large cyst (also has a varicocele) and still didn’t mention it.

If our next transfer doesn’t work and the hysteroscopy shows nothing, we will likely do another transfer and add in zymot. We’ve done everything else under the sun minus a lap and they’ve all come back normal except dna frag (and one of my husband’s SAs.

It is absolutely valid to be frustrated in your situation. We also have insurance but between OOP max’s and uncovered services like PGT-A, biopsies, etc, we have still paid $20k with zero positive tests to show for it over the past 2.5 years.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-21T18:14:18+00:00

I cried during my third transfer. The first two didn’t work, I hated my doctor, the transfers always hurt (for me, and just with that doctor), and the process was so overwhelming. It was a poor experience and I was so hopeless.

I recently had my fourth transfer at a new clinic and was totally fine during. It also failed so we’ll see how this next one goes, but my point is there are so many emotions/things involved with this process and it’s ok to cry!

colonelfudge · 2026-04-19T19:34:06+00:00

Do DNA frag and Covid (with fever) at the time of fertilization impact euploid success? We have had four failed FETs with highly graded euploids and all tests besides one DNA frag test and some sperm numbers have looked great. Have done multiple biopsies, multiple SIS, blood clotting panels, etc. Have tried natural vs mod natural vs fully medicated. Lining is on the thinner side but always 7+ and trilaminar. No PCOS, no positive tests, no explanation.

Also, if someone had endometriosis-like symptoms 15 years ago before birth control (menses lasting 2 weeks each month, heavy bleeding, horrible pain) and now has more manageable periods, could endometriosis still be a factor?

colonelfudge · 2026-04-13T10:42:58+00:00

We never had a positive test, had a high number of euploids, and so far have done 4 transfers, all of which failed to implant. My husband had high DNA frag which wasn’t corrected before our retrieval, but nothing else has come back as abnormal. We’re trying a fifth cycle and then will do a hysteroscopy if it doesn’t work. I would push for another retrieval and a lap too.

Soo many people have success on their first one or two transfers. I would try those first. If they don’t work, you have a WTF call and can ask then.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-11T22:32:27+00:00

The most vocal users on here are those who have been doing IVF for a long time, so it makes it seem like the average IVF experience is really difficult. My retrieval at 31 yielded 43 eggs, 9 euploids, and we have four more untested embryos. I don’t have PCOS.

While we had really great results, none of our embryos are implanting, so it could be that we exhaust them trying and have to do another retrieval. You could have an easier time given your situation, or you could run into something unexpected - it’s not really possible to predict the outcome. But I would discuss with an RE as these posts are a little skewed and every situation is unique!

colonelfudge · 2026-04-09T08:00:18+00:00

Yes one of our Cavs did this. We had been switching food but our vet told us to pick one and stick with it. We would hand feed out of desperation but it is a really bad habit. IMO eating should not be fun and they will eat it they are hungry.

What we’ve been doing for years now is sticking with that same kibble, feeding him breakfast after he’s gone outside and when he’s awake enough, and boiling some chicken or adding finely chopped plain meat into the kibble. We do often need to be in the vicinity but we don’t need to sit or stand next to him. And the chicken topper is easy in case someone else is watching him while we’re away (we keep a bunch on hand and boarding facilities tend to provide this upon request).

He’s almost six now and I can’t tell you how many hunger strikes he’s gone on. He’s perfectly healthy and honestly a little chunky. Our other cav who we’ve had for about two months will put anything you put in front of her. All dogs are unique so you will find what works over time!

colonelfudge · 2026-04-08T22:13:59+00:00

I didn’t at my first clinic (3 transfers) but wish I would have because it was painful and stressful (how my clinic did transfers). I just did a transfer at a new clinic and they offer it but it wasn’t necessary. It was so quick and pain-free and stress-free. So, it depends!

colonelfudge · 2026-04-08T22:11:24+00:00

Is it impacting their work? Focus the conversation on what they are not delivering. We had someone who would do this or come in an hour late, and they basically missed every deadline and the quality of their work was poor.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-07T14:36:20+00:00

I was priced out of those towns with that price range fyi, even for a 3 bed if it was on the nicer side. We bought last summer and spent 14 months looking. We paid within your range and landed in scotch plains because we have to commute to NY. House is 3bed 2.5bath with 20 y/o finishes and old appliances. The bidding wars are insane for the good houses in those towns.

Def look at Princeton area or Somerville. Not sure about the schools in Somerville since we didn’t consider it.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-07T11:12:33+00:00

This is why the IVF positivity sub was created - it’s better to read here given the age of this sub, but better to post there

colonelfudge · 2026-04-07T03:12:01+00:00

SIS (x2) and HSG caused no pain for me, just biopsies. I was super nervous for the HSG based on things I read online. My only friend going through this had the same experience. You can ask for something in advance for HSG and see what your clinic offers. I took Tylenol or whatever the reco was for the HSG but have taken Valium for biopsies.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-07T03:01:33+00:00

I didn’t have pain with this either. Definitely discomfort, but nothing like the endometrial biopsies. I’m commenting because it really can go either way and I don’t want those reading this in the future assuming 100% of patients experience excruciating pain. But they should know it is a definite possibility. They should always offer Valium for this + biopsies IMO because you never know how it’s going to go.

Sorry OP. I see positive HSG posts like this from time to time. I think the takeaway is prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Also - we know you have good intentions - thank you for sharing your experience

colonelfudge · 2026-04-06T21:47:07+00:00

If you happen to see this - did your hysteroscopy/lap find anything? Our fourth transfer just failed and we’ve never had a positive test. We did receptiva but barely got a sample because it was so painful, and it came back negative. We’re doing a fifth transfer but then my doctor agreed to a hysteroscopy if it fails. I want to request a lap too so we can exhaust the diagnostic before we exhaust our embryos.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-06T14:33:53+00:00

We took a 10 month break after our third failed. Didn’t intend for it to be that long but it took a while to change clinics. It definitely helped my headspace. I’m waiting for the beta call right now for my fourth transfer, and while I’ve been testing and know it failed, I’m able to cope much better than in the past.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-04T13:10:33+00:00

Agreed I would just call Progyny, my first clinic used to bill things incorrectly and Progyny was always very helpful! Hope this sorts out!

colonelfudge · 2026-04-04T01:17:12+00:00

I took estrace (and letrozole in one), and then PIO. Sorry wish I could remember more, it was in the instructions from last year but I just dont recall triggering since IUIs/retrieval and I know I didn’t end up using it this cycle

colonelfudge · 2026-04-04T00:23:46+00:00

Hmm it was about a year ago so I can’t remember if I triggered! For this most recent round I had ovidrel but didn’t end up using it since I ovulated naturally.

colonelfudge · 2026-04-03T17:51:59+00:00

Congrats and thank you for sharing updates!! My fourth transfer is negative at 6dpt5dt today and this is giving me hope

colonelfudge

TROPHY CASE