GP early than 1year?

@MrsHP2018 the OP is 27. You being tested before 1 year is entirely within current guidelines. She is under 35 so wouldn't be tested before a year (assuming no dripfeed about PCOS/endometriosis) so there is no point her seeing a GP now.

Hi @StrawberryLady
I went to my doctor and had some tests done before a full year of TTC but this was because my partner is 40 and I will be 35 in the summer. We also have the extra hurdle that my Dh was diagnosed with diabetes so he went for a sperm test as we were worried this had affected him. I let me doctor know that his results had come back find but we were still struggling and he sent me for a 21 day progesterone blood test. This came back okay and we chatted again and he's referred me for futher tests under the understanding that it could be a while before I hear back and they could reject his referral based on the fact we haven't been trying a full year yet.

He was very honest and fair about how long it takes some to conceive but was sensitive to the anxiety I was showing. He told me to ensure I was keeping healthy and taking folic acid and to pretty much dtd 4 times a week!!

So basically what I'm trying to say is, it would be worth paying the doctor a visit even if it's just to talk through your concerns and to start the ball rolling. Good luck

@FlamingoG88 good luck! without wishing to pry if you feel able to share I'd be genuinely interested to hear the outcome.

I would wait a year as within that time scale it's perfectly normal.
If it helps DC3 took nearly two years, I didn't go to the GP as I felt it was a little selfish given I already had 2DC.

@waterbottle12

Thank you so much for responding. I actually have a GP appointment next week for my periods so I'm going to bring it up with her. I just don't want to be trying for over a year to find out I actually should have spoken up sooner.

OP

Have you recently come off hormonal contraception?

Have you been tracking your cycles & confirming ovulation?

@FlamingoG88 yes as a parent I can completely understand that!

Depending on how old you are I think this might be worth pursuing now as it can take a while to dig out old records. It may depend on the type of chemo you had. I'd suggest you write to your old oncologist if your Mum has the name (or to their department if he/she has retired) and ask them. The GP won't know, this is too specialised.

@waterbottle12

I was 8 when I was diagnosed and my fertility was never discussed, I believe because I was pre puberty and time was of the essence.

I've asked my mum and she said she didn't think to ask them because all she cared about was me getting better which I fully understand!

@FlamingoG88

that's an interesting one. If I was your GP I'd probably discuss that with my local paediatricians, or even better the paeds that looked after you as a child. Were you told it would upset your fertility or told to freeze your eggs? Were you pre or post puberty?

@waterbottle12 please can I ask a question (sorry if that's annoying, you probably get it all the time)?

I had leukaemia as a child, would my GP still tell me to try for a year? I'm paranoid that the chemo will have had an affect on me.

I'm a GP and I won't investigate before 1y unless the woman is over 35 or has a known diagnosis likely to affect fertility. 80% will conceive in the first year and another 10 % in the second year. Wait til 1y.

If you are concerned at this point I would go to a private clinic for testing.

I visited my GP after 4 months of 'trying', I say trying because I hadn't had a period in that time, so no ovulation/cycles etc. I also had glaringly obvious symptoms. If you are having regular cycles then I doubt they will do much. They may do some of the obvious blood tests though.

Turns out I was diagnosed with PCOS. I still had to wait at least 6 months for referral and then wait for an appointment. All in all it took 2.5 years for us but I fell pregnant naturally eventually just before starting treatment.

So many couples with no issues conceive even after a whole year of trying. My SIL/BIL have no issues and it took 2 years for them.

If you have known issues they will refer you after 6 months PCOS for example.

I think it's worth going to the gp, they won't refer you yet but might do some initial blood tests - usually to check your thyroid and progesterone levels - good luck!

I was referred to fertility specialist earlier than a year by my GP because there were obvious issues (very long irregular cycles). So if there is obviously an issue they will refer you. Be aware though that I was then on a waiting list nearly a year long for the fertility doctor anyway!! (although did manage to avoid that due to other reasons)

I dont think lying to your GP is the way forward, yes its frustrating that you have to try for a year before they will entertain you but sometimes it just takes others longer. Im desperate to be a mum iv never wanted something so bad in all my life but the guilt i would feel for saying id been trying longer than i actually had would break me down.

There's a reason they make you wait a year, it's because it can take a perfectly healthy couple a while to conceive.

Great advice - lie to your GP 🤦🏼‍♀️ let’s help the already crippled NHS shall we..

OR you could just remain patient, keep trying for a year like everyone else & then speak to your GP. These things just take time sometimes..

Well yeah, I guess we could all make symptoms up to get what are likely to be unnecessary tests, but what state would the NHS be in then?

Just tell them it's been a year? Unless it's on file somehow. My friend told them she'd been trying for 14 months (but only 6) and was referred. She got pregnant 3 cycles later but needed clomid. She said she didn't care at all about lying, she knew something was wrong, which it was, and wanted to be taken seriously.

Yep, been twice!! Been trying since August, caught in September but miscarried at 5 weeks. First time I went was December as my periods became heavier, they weren't concerned as my periods are regular. Went two weeks ago and he said the fertility hospital won't see us until we've been trying for a year but he'll do blood tests to check my hormone levels a week before my period is due so got that booked in for Monday xx

It's unlikely a GP will send you for any fertility tests at this point as unfortunately it is perfectly normal for it to take up to a year to conceive. Perhaps just keep following the usual advice (DTD every other day or so) and keep a record of your cycles, symptoms etc so if you get to the point where you are referred you've got all the info? It's statistically likely you'll conceive in the next 6 months so just keep trying! Wishing you luck 🤞