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

[broodynmoody]

Hi OP. The gp shouldn't have laughed at you but yew, normally they don't do or are not allowed to do fertility investigations until your actually trying for a year.
I think there is home FSH ones you can do or you can go to a private clinic and get tests done but obviously you have to pay.
If your in a long term relationship it's maybe time to tell your partner your worries and then maybe talk about starting a family. Even at 28 with no fertility issues, your egg quality starts to decline past 30. You don't want to put it off forever especially if you do have fertility problems, it's a very long road!

[moggle]

Honestly, there are tests to check hormone levels and ovarian reserve, but even if they all come back normal it doesn't mean everything will be OK, so not sure they are very useful. EG we were TTC and had tests after a year, everything came back fine, but still we had no BFP after 2 years and had IVF in the end. Equally there are people out there with abnormal results who have got pregnant with little bother.

Also I don't think hormone levels and ovarian reserve would be affected by chlamydia. I think the issue with untreated chlamydia is that it can cause inflammation and scarring in the fallopian tubes which can block egg passage. The test for this is called a HSG or hysteroscopy but this is not necessarily an easy test to get done even when TTC (only a couple of days a month you can have it done, so if no slots available you're stuck til the next month; and it can be quite painful). You might be able to get one done privately but I very much doubt you'd get referred to one on the NHS if not TTC.

But google suggests that if your chlamydia was treated promptly both times you probably have little to worry about, and same if your abnormal smear did not result in needing any treatment. Again I've heard of situations where someone who has had procedures to remove part of the cervix due to abnormal cells has had to be monitored carefully during pregnancy, but I don't think in itself it would affect fertility unless you had diagnosed cancer and chemo or radiotherapy.

It is easier said than done but do try not to worry at this point xxxxxxx