How long should you stick with timed intercourse? The big picture until transferring to Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku [Age 30/PCOS/Fertility Treatment]

I started fertility treatment at 29 and decided on IVF at 30.
Six months later, I became pregnant and graduated from the clinic.

“How long should I keep trying timed intercourse?”
“But honestly, stepping up to IVF is a bit scary...”

I imagine many people struggling with fertility treatment have these same conflicts.

I was one of them.

How did I manage to move forward with my treatment while feeling convinced?
This time, I will reveal the entire “two-year fertility treatment schedule,” from starting on my own at 29, through 12 months at a local clinic, and finally graduating after IVF at Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku.I am sharing it all.

The big picture of my two years of fertility treatment

The overall flow of the approximately two years until I became pregnant and graduated is as follows.

Overall fertility treatment schedule

• Age 29 | Self-timed intercourse (5 months)

  • Used the paid version of Luna Luna and increased frequency, but it didn't work out.

  • Visited a gynecologist due to irregular periods.

• Age 29–30 | Local clinic, timed intercourse (12 months)

  • Diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

  • Continued timed intercourse with natural cycles (3 months) + low-stimulation cycles (9 months).

  • Felt the limits of timed intercourse, underwent a hysterosalpingography and Huhner test, and explored stepping up.

• Age 30 | Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku, IVF (5 months)

  • Transferred clinics to step up to IVF.

  • Became pregnant and graduated after 1 egg retrieval and 1 blastocyst transfer (including a 1-month break due to uterine inflammation).

When I first started going to the clinic, I thought,“If I do timed intercourse at the clinic, I’m sure I’ll conceive right away,”and I never imagined that I would be the one doing IVF.

*The details on why I started fertility treatment and the process leading up to my PCOS diagnosis are summarized in the article below 👇.

“How many more times do I have to repeat this?” The anxiety of seeing no exit

“It didn't work again...”

A few months after I started fertility treatment at a local clinic, I felt depressed every time my period came.
Sometimes there were no results despite timing intercourse according to the doctor's instructions, and other times my follicles wouldn't grow properly due to PCOS.
As things kept not going as planned, I felt like I was walking through a tunnel with no exit in sight.

When I finally gathered the courage to consult my doctor during a visit,
I was advised, "If you are considering IVF as an option in the future, you might want to consider stepping up if you don't see results after six cycles of timed intercourse."

However, I was only 30 at the time.
"Maybe the next time will work" was a feeling I couldn't quite let go of.

I also felt anxious and resistant toward stepping up, and I thought,
"If possible, I want to conceive through timed intercourse, which is closer to natural pregnancy," and
"I want to move on only after I feel I've done everything I possibly can with timed intercourse."

So, rather than just accepting the doctor's suggestion as is, I felt I needed "decision-making criteria" to take the next step with conviction.

Looking back at my test results and the progress of my treatment, I decided to take another thorough look at my current condition and potential causes of infertility.
I started by proactively identifying any "tests I hadn't taken yet."

Two tests to help me step up with conviction

Looking back, I realized there were two tests I hadn't taken while continuing timed intercourse.
They were "Hysterosalpingography (HSG)" and "Huhner test (post-coital test)".

I decided to take these two tests not just to understand the causes of infertility, but as material to help me move forward with conviction.

Reasons for taking the Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

1. Understanding the cause of infertility: To confirm if the infertility is caused by blocked fallopian tubes

2. To try timed intercourse during the "golden time" when the fallopian tubes are clearer and conception is more likely

Generally, it is said that after a hysterosalpingography, the fallopian tubes become clearer, and the following 3 to 6 months are called the "golden time," when it is easier to conceive.

I decided, "If I'm going to consider stepping up anyway, I'll try timed intercourse for three cycles during this golden time, and if that doesn't work, I'll give up and move on."

Reasons for taking the Huhner test (post-coital test)

1. Understanding the cause of infertility: To confirm if the infertility is caused by factors such as the compatibility between sperm and the uterus

2. Determining the necessity of artificial insemination: To determine whether we need the step of artificial insemination

Instead of just continuing to visit the clinic aimlessly, I thought logically and set a path for myself: "I will confirm the cause of infertility with these tests, try for three cycles during the golden time, and if it doesn't work, I will step up with conviction." By doing so, it felt like light had shone into a pitch-black tunnel.

Conclusion

During the 12 months at my local clinic, there were several cycles where I didn't ovulate at all, which often made me feel anxious. However, by using trial and error until I felt I had "done everything I could," I was finally able to make a convinced decision to transfer to Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku and step up to in vitro fertilization.

I believe everyone has their own "satisfactory timing" and "criteria for stepping up." I hope that the flow of my last two years will be helpful to those who are currently struggling with how to proceed with their treatment🫶

If you liked this article,
＼I would be happy if you could support me with a like／

☞ Read more:Why I decided to skip artificial insemination and go straight to IVF

💡[Upcoming articles]
Regarding the topics touched upon in this article:
・The deciding factors for choosing "Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku" after comparing famous clinics in Tokyo
・A real-life report on visiting Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku (schedule, costs, doctor selection)
I plan to publish these later as a more concrete strategy guide.

If you are considering a transfer to Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku or are worried about balancing full-time work with IVF, I would be happy if you followed me and stayed tuned!

📚[My fertility treatment story so far]
☞ Read from Episode 1 (Self-introduction)

☞ Read past articles (What triggered my fertility treatment, the decision to transfer, PCOS diagnosis)