Unexplained Secondary Infertility...what am I missing?

[popchick75]

Hi everyone. I am new to this site and this is my first post.

I was married for 12 years. We have an 11 year old daughter together who was concieved without trying. After that, we went through 9 years of trying/fertility treatments. The diagnosis was unexplained secondary infertility. We had 2 IUIs and a round of IVF with no luck. I had great embryos and almost all of my eggs fertilized, so there didn't seem to be a problem with the 'sperm meets egg' part of the equation.

After getting divorced and being with my current partner for 3 years, we decided to try. I am 36 and he is 33. We stopped birth control a year ago, and of course, nothing happened. He had his sperm tested and his results were perfect. I am seeing a new RE who had some new ideas. The genetic testing showed that I had a hetero MTHFR mutation, great AmH, and some sort of vaginal bacteria (not an STD). He said about half of the general population has some sort of bacteria and it will prevent you from getting pregnant. We took Zithromax to take care of it. From what I have read, taking Folic acid, B6, and B12 suppliments will help with the MTHFR issue.

Has anyone had any success with *just* having this treatment without having IVF? In 9 years of treatment, this is the first time anyone has even brought up MTHFR or the bacteria issue.

Is there anyone out there with any other ideas of what we could be missing?

Thank you for your help!

Amy

[Gagenivy]

I can't speak for the bacteria, but I have MTHFR (compound hetero). I conceived my daughter while taking b6, b12, 4 mg folic, and a baby aspirin. I also take Lovenox but that is for my other clotting disorder. MTHFR can prevent implantation. Be sure you re taking the proper forms of b and folate.

[popchick75]

Thank you for the responses! I keep trying to dig up more information, but it seems that people who are conceiving with the MTHFR gene are all doing so with IVF as part of their treatment plan, not just the baby aspirin, b6, b12, and folic acid.

I was really hoping to try for a few months with out any sort of other treatment other than the antibiotic for the bacteria and vitamins and aspirin and see if anything took. I've had one AF since I finished the antibiotics and this is the first month trying with the vitamins/aspirin. I'm wondering how long it takes for them to have any sort of affect on my body tho...


Amy

[Gagenivy]

Hi Amy
After the diagnosis, I think it was 3 cycles for me. I had suffered my 10th loss (maybe 9-I try to block it out), had a D&C and then started on the treatment. The 3rd cycle was my magic number. We suffered another loss when my daughter was 6 months old and now nothing. I hope it works quickly for you!

[Holly TH]

Amy,

You might want to ask your doctor about L-methylfolate. Women with the MTHFR mutation have a limited ability to metabolize synthetic folic acid which puts them at risk for folate-deficiency related pregnancy complications. Active L-methylfolate bypasses the MTHFR mutation and is directly available for DNA synthesis and repair which is crucial while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. It is something simple and safe you can do to be certain folate deficiency is not causing your issues. Best of luck. I hope you find some answers and have a bfp in the very near future!