Infertility worries

[Yelloworange1111]

Hello,

I've been anxious at posting this for the risk of sounding somewhat stupid but I'm terrified I'm infertile and have been for the last couple of years.

I brought this up with my doctor yesterday and because I'm not currently TTC, she dismissed me and actually laughed that I feel this way.

I have had chlamydia twice in the past and have had an abnormal smear. Tests following came back fine however the combination of the two has left me worried sick.

I have been on the contraceptive implant for 8 years now (replacing after 3) and have 12 months left. I'm a 28 year old female in a long term relationship.

Are there any home or private tests I can take? I just want to put my mind at rest so I can stop worrying so much.

Thanks in advance

[GirlcalledJames]

It sounds like you're worried about the fallopian tubes/uterus rather than hormones and ovarian reserve. There are tests for all these things, but if you wouldn't ttc immediately afterwards, the information would be of reduced value because any of these things can change in the meantime. The clinic we went to (though we went because gay not because infertile) redid the tests every 6 months for this reason.
I would suggest buying an FSH test set on the internet as it is cheap and simple, you can do one every few months if it helps you. Then you'll know that the menopause isn't imminent.
Then, if you can, put a little money aside for potential fertility treatment, not because you are likely to need it but because it would reassure you that you are creating a solution. If you conceive without assistance you'll have a nestegg for baby stuff.

[Yelloworange1111]

Thank for taking the time to reply and being so kind.

I was worried about what kind of reaction I may get.

The home test - do you know if the fact I'm in the contraceptive implant will have an impact on the result?

[GirlcalledJames]

Yes, the implant can affect things. You could try the test anyway — I bought 3 for about 2 quid so not a huge investment — or you'd have to do it in between implants.
I had my doubts about the test strips because they were so cheap but they gave the same result as a proper blood test 3 months later.
I wouldn't have thought that you will be able to access any testing while using contraception otherwise.
Regarding the checking of the tubes and everything, this is painful! Don't do it unless you have to, i.e. after ttc.
A friend of mine had similar feelings to you. I think she would have obsessed when trying to conceive. What she did instead was after her and her dh agreed to have kids in the next few years, they became laxer and laxer with contraception until, surprise, she was pregnant. It worked for her because as she never felt that she was ttc she never worried about it not working. Obviously only ok if both partners know and agree, though!

[Thingymaboob]

I have had chlamydia twice too and a lletz for abnormal CIN2 cells. I was worried about my tubes etc. The test you can have to see if they're clear is called an hysterosalpingogram (HSG). It's a test done by a radiographer. They inject dye into your uterus and they take X-rays of your uterus to see if dye gets stuck or whether it runs out the tubes. I got it done privately to put my mind to rest. It cost about £350. Your GP will need to refer you but they'll have no problems if you've had history of chlamydia