Also meant to add, the main question ... at what point during IF have you gotten a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy? Before doing an IUI, after failed IUI's but before IVF? Or after IVF? Did you wish you would have gotten it done sooner? Just looking for any advice ... THANKS! =)

I had a hysteroscopy after 3 failed IUI's and one failed FET. RE thougtht he saw "something" on the u/s screen and wanted to see if it was a polup. My RE said he used to do laps/hysteroscopys on all patients before any treatments (IUI, IVF, etc.) back in the day to see what is going on inside. I don't have any symptoms of endometriosis, so I don't think he was pressured to take a look inside earlier. I'm still unexplained, so part of me wants to do a lap, but for the time being I'm OK with not.

I'm not sure I answered your questions, but that is my situation. Good luck with what you decide!

I always recommend doing a lap, especially if your insurance will cover most of it, and you have to pay for IF treatments out of pocket. I did 2 IUIs that failed, pushed for a lap, found I had lots of endo, got all cleaned up, and then continued my treatments. If I hadn't gotten the endo cleaned up, then nothing would've worked for sure. But if everthing was ok in there, then I would feel confident spending the $ on treatments and you'd know all is well on the inside. It could be a septum, polyps, endo, all sorts of easily fixable things preventing pregnancy and then you start with a clean slate. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

I completely wish I had done it sooner. We were 100% unexplained IF until it was done. I did mine after my first IVF ended in a mc and went and had a second opinion with a different RE. My first RE did not think I had any symptoms needing a lap done (boy was he wrong!) and my second RE said its the next best thing to do to rule anything in or out before doing IVF again. This was a little over 2 years into our struggles. I was nervous to have it done if we did not find anything. But then I thought about it more and decided it was best to rule everything out versus keep on the route we were on not knowing.

I now know I should have pushed my 1st RE to do it before IVF because in my gut I knew it was needed. So if I were you, I would try the IUIs, wait to see how your DHs numbers look after his procedure, maybe try another IUI or two if his numbers look good. But before moving past IUI I would do a lap. At the least it will let you know that spending the money on IVF will be fine because you do not have other things going on that need to be fixed first.

I was told after 3 IUIs with my RE at that time I had already had 6 IUIs with my old OBGYN but I did get pregnant with 2 of those IUIs but they didnt last....
During my 2nd IUI with my new RE I told him I was having HORRIED back pain all the time and he told me if we fail that IUI and another then its time for a lap was in so much pain with my back I begged for one after that cycle had failed. I am SO happy I did! I found out I have stage 3 endo and it was on nerves in my back and he was able to remove it and the back pain is gone! Now I am on to IVF an I wish I would have done it sooner but there was no real reason that they thought I needed one! Until my back pain was out of control! Best of luck to you! An I also had a hesteroscopy with my lap.

Do the Lap before your IUI so you don't waste a thousand dollars, like me!
My story is very similar minus the varicocele. One miscarriage, normal labs, ovulating on my own, HSG fine.
My doctor was optimistic for our IUI's to work and suggested after 2 we do a lap.
So, after two failed IUI's I had my lap last week and had a ton of endo that I had NO symptoms/idea that I had.
He says my success for IUI is 20% greater now that the endo has been removed. I'm not wasting much more time before suggesting we move to IVF.
Just know, if you are thinking of doing the lap, your doc probably is booking out a few months in advance. You should schedule it now so you don't have to sit and wait through more cycles.
If your insurance covers it, go for it! I was scared, but I regret not doing the lap sooner. Best wishes on your decision.
(P.S. I closely work in a hospital with my OB-GYN and she strongly suggested that I NOT do the lap.... Glad I didn't listen to her!)

I was told not to bother with the LAP by my RE. He said he recommended we go right into IVF. But, since my insurance is not yet covering it, we decided to save money on our own, and have the LAP in the meantime. I'll have it on the 21st, and I have a good feeling something is going on in there. I feel "cycts", back pain, and pulling. Nothing so severe that it really bothers me too bad, but noticeable.

Looking back, I'm actually happy that we found out insurance does not (yet hopefully) cover IVF. Or we would have jumped right in. It's not just the cost, but the emotional side of a failed treatment cycle that really hurts. So we really want to be sure everything is clear before doing anything, paid for or not.

Luckily, I listened to the ladies on here who have already gone through treatments, only to find issues on their LAP that could have been preventing pregnancy. Even if I find it's all clear and we are still unexplained, I will know we should be good to keep trying on our own, or to do IVF with some confidence.

It's a personal choice in the end. It's not a horrible procedure, but I have heard it's uncomfortable for abut a week. I'm having it on a Thursday, and will be off of work till Monday. So it works out fine for me. Hello, couch and girly movies! If you do decide it is for you, look into booking soon. It took me 2 months to get in. I'm happy I didn't wait any longer, and now I'm actually eager to get it done.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Thanks ladies for all your responses, experience and advice! After much consideration I decided to put the Laparoscopy on hold for now even though I want to check EVERYTHING off my list. As much as I WANT to get it done just to SEE if I have Endo or anything. I'm going to wait ... because my husband has a varicocele and ALL my tests have came back normal. So, it seems it may be on his end, not mine. So for now, I am in my first month of an IUI. My husband has a varicocele embolization procedure scheduled for December 11th. We are going to wait 3 months after his procedure to see if it helped and move forward with another IUI. THEN, If unsuccessful, I'll do the Laparoscopy before moving onto any other treatments.

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck!

I agree, it sounds like a great plan.
I do however agree with Nellysgirl.....I had a Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy after TTC for 2+ years, did two failed IUI's after and had a successful IVF cycle and today I have twin girls :-) I had also "checked" everything else off the list also. Although my DH did not have low sperm count/motility. So I cannot relate there. I'd say go through with the IUI's and if they are unsuccessful re-evaluate at that time. Good luck hun, please keep us posted :-) HUGS

I had a LAP years before IF but then it was to diagnosis Endo. Im not sure if there wasnt cause to suspect Endo or similar adhesion issues why you would do a LAP. And the LAP, my understanding is the last thing for positive diagnosis after theyve narrowed it down a bit. It is a surgical procedure and therefore has risk and recovery time (my LAP took me about 2 weeks before I was totally back to normal and a good 3-4 days on my back, I had three entry points). As for the Hysteroscopy that was done for me during the preliminary IF testing. Granted might not have been typical, where with Stage 4 Endo it was straight to IVF for me. But the suppose there is to check out the lining so would make send to do that before wasting time and effort on any treatment when you are not sure anything would adhere. But then everything is subjective, for me and my docs its usual dont cut or go in unless its absolutely necessary. But again Im a freakin mess. Good luck. Sounds like you have decent plan.

We were TTC for a year when I finally made it to the RE. I knew something had to be wrong all along but everyone kept saying just wait, it takes time, etc. etc. My RE is fantastic and brought up endometriosis during our 1st meeting. I didn't have any symptoms and the preliminary blood work showed no indication of it. We still went ahead with the laparoscopy because I knew I had to do something. Plus, my RE won't proceed with further treatments until we've ruled out endo. I'm SOOO glad I did it! Come to find out I have stage 4 endometriosis and it's everywhere. My bladder, colon, uterus, ovaries, spine, etc. They got rid of what they could with the laser but put me into menopause for 3 months to curb the production of endometrial tissue build up. Fingers crossed once Dec. 30th rolls around I'll be starting Follistim :)

My ob had me do my first lap before I was even refered to my re. It confirmed my asherman syndrome and I needed more than one just to be able to conceive.
Good luck.