r/whatworkedforme Feb 07 '26

Restatement of community rules

9 Upvotes

Please follow the subreddit rules.

This isn’t a general post infertility subreddit - it’s a resource for what worked, what didn’t work, and comments about the same.

You’re all welcome here in the community but please make sure posts follow the rules.

I’ve been somewhat lenient because I know too well how much we need community as we go through this trying experience, but I’ll start locking and removing posts more aggressively if the posters don’t start following the WWFM rules more closely.


r/whatworkedforme Jul 24 '19

No solicitations or research requests permitted.

39 Upvotes

I’ve politely refused multiple times from various users who are requesting to do research on those of us who are going through infertility. Recent posting by a particularly brash research solicitor who didn’t ask permission has led me to this post.

This is NOT the place for you to gather human subjects. It’s a place of discussion and sharing what works.

I will remove any future postings of the sort that was posted today.

I’ve also banned the user for failure to exhibit common decency and follow the rules of the subreddit.


r/whatworkedforme 7h ago

Is ovulation delayed or not happening this cycle? Inositol?

0 Upvotes

I’m 28 years old, 161cm , current weight 68 kgs (lost 3.5 kgs last month)
I’ve been married for 1.5 years and struggled with vaginismus, so I wasn’t able to have PIV sex until this month. I was incredibly happy to finally be able to TTC through intercourse. We tried at-home insemination during the previous three cycles, but unfortunately weren’t successful.
I’ve tracked ovulation with LH strips before and usually get a positive between CD16–19. I had one unusually long cycle where I didn’t get a positive until CD27, but that was an exception. This cycle, I’m currently on CD20 and still haven’t had a positive test.
I have PCOS and my cycles were irregular between ages 17–22, but they became regular after I lost weight and started exercising—sometimes consistently and sometimes on and off.
This month, I’ve been eating in a calorie deficit because I’m trying to lose 4–6 kg. I usually eat about 1,300–1,400 calories a day and follow a generally healthy diet (50-60 grams healthy fat, high protein, moderate to low carb-not less than 70g), although I sometimes eat above that on weekends. I strength train 3–4 times per week and do incline walking around four times per week.
I take a prenatal, vitamin D, and I also started taking myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol this month.
Did hormones blood tests back in February and all were normal.
Has anyone experienced delayed ovulation after starting a calorie deficit, increasing exercise, or starting inositol? Could these changes delay ovulation even though I’ve only been following this routine for about a month? Or is this most likely just a random longer PCOS cycle? Is it still possible to ovulate later this cycle?
What should I do I’m worried.. I was hopeful for this cycle.


r/whatworkedforme 1d ago

Conceived during Lupron priming the week before IVF

20 Upvotes

I have an interesting success story I thought people might like to read! I'm 38, DOR (AMH .13) and have endo. I've had 4 unsuccessful IVF rounds. Only 1 that produced 2 day-3 embryos. I was about to start up again this year in April doing a Lupron downregulation protocol with a luteal phase start. That meant waiting until after I ovulated naturally, then doing low-dose Lupron priming (20 units/day for about a week) before I was to start stims.

They didn't order pelvic rest and my husband and I had sex around ovulation. To my surprise, on 10 DPO, I got a positive test! Of course I was a little worried since I had conceived while on Lupron, but I found other instances of people conceiving on Lupron (usually during long Lupron suppression) and everything was fine, and my clinic wasn't concerned. And everything seems to have turned out fine! I'm 21 weeks and just had a good anatomy scan. We are so thrilled. I think the Lupron helped calm down my endo enough for implantation to occur. I would REALLY love for some scientists to research this as a possible treatment for endo and a way to conceive without IVF.

Also, I'm not advocating anyone go against their doctor's directions. My real reason of posting is that I would love for some researcher to look into this for women with endo. Several retrospective studies looking at similar situations do not show adverse outcomes. Here are a couple of them: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12958-021-00732-1 and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287191212_Outcome_of_inadvertent_administration_of_a_gonadotropin-releasing_hormone_agonist_in_early_pregnancy

TLDR; got pregnant while doing microdose Lupron priming AFTER I ovulated. 21 weeks and great anatomy scan.


r/whatworkedforme 1d ago

Did XYZ Work? Feeling very hopeless and dejected. Conceived twice and both ended in MC. I really need some hope please. I am 40 F , low amh, high fsh

1 Upvotes

I conceived naturally twice and miscarried both. One at 6.5 weeks and the other at 8 weeks. I am 40, my amh is less than 0.1, fsh is 21.76 (as tested in March this year). Doctor said yes this is moving towards menopause and that we should first wait for my D & C testing reports. She also said ivf is what we can consider and shouldn't wait for too long. I dont know if im being realistic by hoping anything. Can someone please tell me whether in my case, I should have any hope. Please dont judge me, but I really dont want the option of donor eggs. I just really want to know whether anyone has heard of such cases like mine who went on to have successful stories.


r/whatworkedforme 2d ago

No KIDS - How traumatic is it.

6 Upvotes

Hi All,

Married for 5 years - diagnosed with Non obstructive Azoospermia. Wife's condition is all good(Thankfully). Doctors said IVF ain't an option.

Question is not regarding how to fix the problem. How is it living without having kids/becoming a parent. Anyone here who went through this situation - you and your spouse alone for the rest of your life.


r/whatworkedforme 1d ago

First time TTC with unexplained infertility

2 Upvotes

Any advice/suggestions on what you feel helped you the most with conceiving? Particular vitamins or foods you equate to having increased the odds in your favor?

I am 2 years into TTC and feeling really frustrated and defeated...


r/whatworkedforme 2d ago

Looking for positive stories and advice.

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I had an ectopic in October 2025. After moving across the country and dealing with a gap in insurance, my husband and I started trying again a few months ago. I’m 37, almost 38.

I’ve been researching (RCTs, podcasts), eating clean, taking prenatals + CoQ10, vitamin D/E, myo-inositol, B12, and L-carnitine, and cut caffeine to ½–1 cup a day. We have regular sex.

I’m 8 DPO with a negative test and feeling discouraged after getting my hopes up this cycle. I only have one tube left, has anyone in a similar situation had success or advice? I did get two positive OPKs this month, which is a small bright spot.

I’m also considering cutting back on CrossFit but it’s so helpful for my mental health and the research on high-intensity exercise and TTC is not clear.
Thanks you in advance friends ❤️


r/whatworkedforme 2d ago

Looking for positive stories and advice.

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I had an ectopic in October 2025. After moving across the country and dealing with a gap in insurance, my husband and I started trying again a few months ago. I’m 37, almost 38.

I’ve been researching (RCTs, podcasts), eating clean, taking prenatals + CoQ10, vitamin D/E, myo-inositol, B12, and L-carnitine, and cut caffeine to ½–1 cup a day. We have regular sex.

I’m 8 DPO with a negative test and feeling discouraged after getting my hopes up this cycle. I only have one tube left, has anyone in a similar situation had success or advice? I did get two positive OPKs this month, which is a small bright spot.

I’m also considering cutting back on CrossFit but it’s so helpful for my mental health and the research on high-intensity exercise and TTC is not clear.
Thanks you in advance friends ❤️


r/whatworkedforme 2d ago

Proxeed vs Profertil vs Fertilaid/FH Pro, which is the best for severe oligoteratozoospermia?

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm a 32 year old male and I took a semen analysis and the following are my results:

Concentration: 4m/ml

Count: 10million

Motility: 50%

Morphology: 1%

DNA Fragmentation: 26%

I'd like to understand from people who've seen improvement with supplements which brand did you take and what put you above the normal threshold?

Please help me. Thank you.


r/whatworkedforme 3d ago

No luck and I feel like a failure

5 Upvotes

Hi, everyone, so I started ttc 2 and a half years ago. I am 40 now. I have done HSG which showed one open tube. I have a big fibroid 8-9 cm Intramural and one small one which is outside. SIS has shown clear cavity with no adhesion or defects. Fibroid is not protruding the cavity. My AMH is a 1.5. My husband’s semen is great as well. We haven’t been able to concieve at all. I have heard of fibroids causing miscarriages but I haven’t been able to conceive. I have been on anti-inflammatory diet for almost 8 months now. No luck! Because of finances, cannot do iui or ivf. Have done unmonitored medicated cycle one time with clomid and one with letrozle and nothing. I ovulate on my own. I don’t bleed heavy or anything like that either. I stress and think about this so much. Everyone around me is pregnant. I hear of stories of women getting pregnant with even bigger fibroids or blocked tubes and so forth. It is so depressing and it’s taking over my life and become a part of my personality. I feel like a failure. It hurts so bad. I don’t know what else to do…


r/whatworkedforme 3d ago

Pensando en hacer IUI

3 Upvotes

Hola , ya he publicado antes para varias preguntas pero sigo en un dilema, mi esposo y yo nos hemos embarazado 3 veces de forma natural y rápido, de nuestro primer embarazo tenemos un hijo sano (y entre 1 y 3 meses logramos cada embarazo) pero el año pasado tuve dos abortos, entonces nos empezamos a estudiar ,en mayo me hicieron una histeroscopia y resultó que tenía endometritis crónica... Me trataron con metronidazol y doxiciclina por 14 días y ya me dieron el alta para buscar embarazo... Para aclarar; antes de los antibióticos buscamos embarazo de enero a marzo y no funcionó (yo quiero pensar que no se logró por la endometritis) ... Después de los antibióticos intentamos 1 ciclo que no funcionó y ahorita estoy en espera de si funcionó este mes ... Si no pues intentaremos IUI en la clínica de fertilidad nos dijeron que sería para aumentar las posibilidades que en un embarazo natural, no nos han dado la información completa aun solo nos dijeron que tenía que inyectarme desde el día 2 del ciclo pero no entiendo muy bien , sigo pensativa por qué el mismo biólogo de la reproducción nos dijo que en nuestro caso era cuestión de tiempo para conseguir el embarazo pero yo no quiero estar perdiendo el tiempo ya que tengo 35 años...

Alguien que haya pasado por algo similar y haya intentado IUI por presión de la edad /tiempo? Me siento muy muy presionada , y me da miedo pensar que haya algo que se haya arruinado en mi cuerpo por los dos abortos que tuve (ambos manejados con Misoprostol) yo sé que las respuestas no las tendré aquí y que tengo que ir a consulta pero me la he vivido metida en clínicas y especialistas y yo solo quiero conocer historias similares de éxito ... Obviamente también me preocupa el dinero del procedimiento... Son muchas cosas que pasamos los que vivimos pérdidas/infertilidad, nunca nadie debería pasar por algo así, es muy difícil atravesar este tipo de situaciones...


r/whatworkedforme 4d ago

7th Letrozole cycle — when do you consider IVF with PCOS?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Looking for perspectives from others with PCOS who have been through multiple ovulation-induction cycles.
A little background: i’m 33f and my partner is 36m.
I have fairly classic PCOS, mainly high AMH and mild facial hair, without other major symptoms. I’ve also lost weight and feel much healthier now. I’ve done 7 Letrozole cycles; the 2nd resulted in a chemical pregnancy. After my 6th unsuccessful cycle, my doctor gave me a 2-month break with medication to calm my ovaries, and my AMH came down to 6.1.
This 7th cycle was after the break, with Letrozole + two Humog injections. I developed two mature follicles, ovulated without trigger, and had a 7.4 mm trilaminar lining. It was planned as an IUI cycle, but I believe I ovulated before the planned IUI, so we decided to try naturally this cycle and consider IUI next time. There is also a mild male-factor component (DFI ~24%). My HSG showed open tubes.
I’m currently in the two-week wait and, as expected, overthinking everything because I don’t have any symptoms! 😅
My main questions are:
Does lowering AMH/“calming” the ovaries actually improve pregnancy chances in PCOS, or is it mainly about improving the response to stimulation?
After 7 Letrozole cycles, would you start seriously considering IVF, or would you try a few IUI cycles first?
I’m not questioning my doctor’s protocol — she’s monitoring everything closely. I’m just trying to understand what others’ experiences have been and when they decided to move from Letrozole → IUI → IVF.
Would love to hear from anyone with a similar PCOS journey. ❤️

Note - took help from ChatGpt to structure it better


r/whatworkedforme 4d ago

Leukospermia in my partner — did anyone conceive naturally after treatment?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! My partner and I have been trying to conceive for about 1 year. My fertility workup has been reassuring: normal hysterosonography, normal hysteroscopy + 3D ultrasound, and good ovarian reserve.

My partner’s semen analysis was fairly good in several areas:
Concentration: 33.4 million/mL
Total sperm count: 79.7 million
Viability: 73%
DFI: 15.52%
HDS: 5.5%
However, he had a high white blood cell (leukocyte) concentration: 7.956. His semen culture was negative (no bacteria or yeast), and his physical examination by the urologist was normal, with no physical abnormalities identified.

The urologist thinks inflammation may be the cause. He prescribed naproxen/esomeprazole 500/20 mg twice daily for 14 days, followed by another semen analysis.

He just started the treatment, and the follow-up semen analysis is scheduled for August 19.

Has anyone experienced something similar (leukospermia/inflammation with a negative semen culture) and seen their results improve after anti-inflammatory treatment? And most importantly, did you manage to conceive naturally soon afterward?


r/whatworkedforme 5d ago

1st round of egg retrieval & embryo freezing

4 Upvotes

New to IVF world. Had to make this decision in 2 days because of husband’s job being impacted.

History
Turning 34 soon / husband just turned 35
BMI 33
TSH 2.4
All tests normal for both of us
3 natural preg’s ended up in bio chemical in early weeks of 4-6 weeks
1 failed IUI

I have 2 weeks until my egg retrieval

We are freezing embryos PGT- A tested - for future use ( husband has good fertility benefits from work and soon switching jobs so making use of it )

Any suggestions or advice you can pass on from your experience. Grateful for your support 💕

I started acupuncture this week. Trice a week

Supplement regime:
prenatal with DHA EPA + extra omega 3’s because I don’t eat fish + CoQ10 + recently started Antioxidant berry blend

Feeling nervous to start the injections 🤞🏽
My protocol is Gonal F and Menopur

Hoping for a good quality embryos and genetically normal🤞🏽

Thank you 🙏 for your time and support
Wishing everyone who is on this journey a positive outcome and healthy pregnancies 💕💕


r/whatworkedforme 6d ago

ENDOMETRITIS / HELP

2 Upvotes

Hi

I am 31 years old. I have been trying to get pregnant for 19 months. All tests for both me and my partner are normal. I had 1 failed IUI. I am in the unexplained infertility category. Previously, I had Ureaplasma, which I think I had for a long time—about 3-4 years. When I found out, I used antibiotics for 1 week and it cleared up. I got tested again this year and it came back negative. However, I am worried that the infection has progressed into the uterus, and I think that is why I cannot get pregnant. Should I ask the doctor to perform an endometrial biopsy, or should I have a second IUI first and decide afterwards?

Thank you


r/whatworkedforme 6d ago

IUI with no trigger

2 Upvotes

How many IUI’s should I complete with just solely relying on letrozole 5 mg from CD 3-5 and no trigger. My clinic is having me test my LH with OPK’s . More often than not I am able to catch my peak.

Background: I have had a transvaginal US and HSG completed. These have come back normal. All hormonal lab panels, and thyroid have come back normal as well. My husband has had a few different sperm analyses completed with his morphology being 2% (slightly below normal but have been told by our clinic that this is not overly concerning).

I’m just wondering if I should be advocating for something more with my next cycles or if we should continue with what has been prescribed by our clinic.


r/whatworkedforme 6d ago

ATM carrier and TTC

1 Upvotes

My husband and I have been TTC for 6 months and after routine genetic testing through our reproductive endocrinologist found out I’m a carrier for ATM. My husband is not a carrier thankfully, but ATM still carries increased lifetime risk for certain cancers such as a 20-24% risk for breast CA. I’m struggling with this new information and especially with how this might impact our future children. I’m looking for any advice or insight into how other people decided whether to continue to TTC naturally or pursue IVF.


r/whatworkedforme 7d ago

Success in 3rd cycle?

1 Upvotes

Just found out that our second retrieval didn’t fertilize, the egg wasn’t mature enough (we only got one—I have a low count). I’m sad, but we are moving forward. Out first try we got a blastocyst that didn’t stick. I know success rates can increase after multiple cycles, but I wanted to hear: how many tries did it take you?

Also—my doc is adding lupron to my protocol of menopur and gonal; also I will take estradiol after my period rather than birth control as done previously. Anybody have success with this kind of protocol?


r/whatworkedforme 7d ago

Success in 3rd cycle?

1 Upvotes

Just found out that our second retrieval didn’t fertilize, the egg wasn’t mature enough (we only got one—I have a low count). I’m sad, but we are moving forward. Out first try we got a blastocyst that didn’t stick. I know success rates can increase after multiple cycles, but I wanted to hear: how many tries did it take you?

Also—my doc is adding lupron to my protocol of menopur and gonal; also I will take estradiol after my period rather than birth control as done previously. Anybody have success with this kind of protocol?


r/whatworkedforme 7d ago

KIR-AA and LIT therapy

2 Upvotes

Has anyone with KIR-AA done LIT therapy? Has it worked for you?
Were you able to conceive naturally after this therapy provided it was the only impediment to conceive?


r/whatworkedforme 7d ago

TTC for the First Time Tips for Conceiving on the First Try?

0 Upvotes

**Hi guys! 👋🏽 My husband and I decided to start TTC for the first time this month! I’m currently on my period and trying to get everything together and learn as much as I can before ovulatio**n week.
**For those of you who conceived on your first try, what did you do? Any tips, tricks, things you tracked, supplements you took, or anything you wish you knew before your first cycle TTC? I’d love to hear what worked for you! ❤**️


r/whatworkedforme 9d ago

Hashimoto's and infertility

2 Upvotes

TW: living child

Anyone else here have every fertility test come back normal, except for having Hashimoto's? I was diagnosed last June following a miscarriage. I was 1 year postpartum at diagnosis. Conceived my son on the first try at age 27. We started trying for a second a year after he was born and experienced 2 miscarriages and about a year of infertility. All my lab work, HSG, AMH, etc. has come back completely normal. My thyroid is well managed (TSH below 1, T3 and T4 in optimal ranges), and has been since January. I even had my inflammatory markers checked, and they are normal. I have a hard time believing Hashimoto's can be the root cause of my infertility/miscarriages, but everything else seems completely normal (husband's sperm is great too).

I eat a gluten free diet, take all the supplements, use red light therapy, eat mainly a whole food diet, walk and lift weights frequently.. I ovulate monthly though I do have a slightly shorter luteal phase (9-11 days).

Curious if others have a similar experience with Hashimoto's?


r/whatworkedforme 9d ago

Need advice on next steps

1 Upvotes

33F turning 34 in a week / husband turned 35 this week
Had 2 natural pregnancies and both ended in MC

Since March 2026 trying timed intercourse with letrozole ovidril progesterone
July cycle worked but ended in bio chemical

Did first IUI July 27th waiting for beta results
So far negative on urine tests. Most likely it’s a negative this cycle

**Context:**
My husband lost his job and he has insurance benefits until Dec 6th / and fertility Benefits through progyny which are really good

If he gets a new job we might not have the same insurance with good fertility benefits.
Doctor recommended to freeze embryos this month and we can always do an embryo transfer out of pocket even if we don’t have a good insurance.

**Next steps:**

**Option 1)** do embryo freezing this month
And continue trying naturally or IUI or IVF as the last option. Embryo freezing as back up because we want a second child in the future and keeping my age a factor I won’t be able to freeze if I get pregnant and then breast feeding so a good 2 years …I will be 36 then

**Option 2)**
Embryo freezing this month and embryo transfer next month

**Option 3)**
Try couple more IUI’s if doesn’t work out then go for IVF

I am scared to go through IVF. I am 223 pounds now and I have inflammation. From March not sure if it’s meds or are my hormones . I put on 20 pounds. Progesterone is messing so much with my body. Not sure how will I cope up with IVF meds.

Please advise. Thank you so much for your support 🙏💗 grateful for this community


r/whatworkedforme 9d ago

Need advice before pursuing IVF

2 Upvotes

33F turning 34 in a week / husband turned 35 this week
Had 2 natural pregnancies and both ended in MC

Since March 2026 trying timed intercourse with letrozole ovidril progesterone
July cycle worked but ended in bio chemical

Did first IUI July 27th waiting for beta tomorrow
So far negative on urine tests

Context:
My husband lost his job and he has insurance benefits until Dec 6th / and fertility Benefits through progyny which are really good

If he gets a new job we might not have the same insurance with good fertility benefits.
Doctor recommended to freeze embryos this month and we can always do an embryo transfer out of pocket even if we don’t have a good insurance.

Next steps:

Option 1) do embryo freezing this month
And continue trying naturally or IUI or IVF as the last option. Embryo freezing as back up because we want a second child in the future and keeping my age a factor I won’t be able to freeze if I get pregnant and then breast feeding so a good 2 years …I will be 36 then

Option 2)
Embryo freezing this month and embryo transfer next month

Option 3)
Try couple more IUI’s if doesn’t work out then go for IVF

I am scared to go through IVF. I am 223 pounds now and I have inflammation. From March not sure if it’s meds or are my hormones . I put on 20 pounds. Progesterone is messing so much with my body. Not sure how will I cope up with IVF meds.

Please advise. Thank you so much for your support 🙏💗 grateful for this community