Fertility Testing and all that other booking Bollocks!

[StickThatInYourPipe]

Hi All

Not really an AIBU and shamelessly posting for traffic but can someone please explain the process of fertility testing to me.

I feel like a criminal booking a standard app at the drs anyway - even just for an ear infection as I feel I'm wasting precious resource!

Please can someone just explain the first stage and what I need to ask when booking the app. TTC for over a year now and I'm just getting very nervous and emotional about it all.

Is it just at the GP?
If so then you don't have to tell them the reasons when booking.
But just tell them you are having trouble conceiving and want testing done.
Why do you feel like a criminal?
Have you never worked a day in your life and not paid any tax or national insurance?
You are entitled - go get it sorted!
You need to get over these feelings of being a criminal for wanting a family - seems odd.
Maybe ask for some counselling while you are there?

Firstly do go ahead and book an appointment with your GP, but be prepared that in some areas they will tell you that you need to have been TTC for 2 years before they will start investigations.

Some people will advise you to lie and tell the Dr that you have been trying for longer but I implore you not to - 90% of healthy couples will conceive within 2 years and lying to get seen sooner just makes it harder for couples with genuine problems to get seen.

For the actual testing itself your GP will order a series of blood tests to start with. If they show up anything you will be referred on to a fertility specialist at your local hospital. Testing will then be carried out depending on what the blood tests have shown. If your tests come back clear they will want to get a sample from your partner.

Oh and good luck!

No not at wanting a family, the receptionist at my dr is just very short with people and asks for loads of details over the phone about why I need an appointment. It makes me feel like I'm wasting their time no matter what I am calling them for. Obviously criminal was a bit of an exaggeration.

The drs at my gps are also a little funny when I have been in the past, when I had my implant removed the nurse really tried to push me onto another form of contraception and didn't listen to me explaining I would like to start TTC. She made me feel really stupid.

I think I'm just a little worried and stressing about it all its effecting my brain!

CaveMum

Thank you! No I wouldn't lie, if the dr said to wait another year before further investigations I would do that. I think its just time to make have a little chat with them and see if anything needs further investigation

Thank you for your help :)

I've been there, fingers crossed it won't be as bad as you think.

If they're still being unhelpful, then think about moving practice - my old practice were fab as one of the GPs was interested in fertility medicine. The new one is ok but not as good.

Good luck OP!

I imagine it can very in different areas but here the process is:

Book an appointment with your GP. They will need you to have blood tests (day 3 and 21 of your cycle) to check you are ovulating. They will send your OH for a semen analysis (probably worth warning him about this!). It is probably a good idea for you to go to the GP appointment together to start with or he may need to make another appointment.

Once the results are available the GP can then refer you to the fertility specialist. In my case, they recommended a laparoscopy which is a minor operation to look at the uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries. I could have opted for a less invasive procedure first where they put dye in your tubes to check them. Good luck!

When we went it was a case of I went to my doctors, said we'd been ttc for over a year and she referred us to the fertility clinic who arranged all the tests etc. The did bloods, internal scan and semen tests before telling us it's all me(PCOS) and to go away and loose weight then be referred back.

Could you just say "reproductive issues" or "women's problems" to the receptionist? As long as you don't have one of those grumpy old fart GPs who can be dismissive of women's health, your should be fine. They usually start by asking you the obvious questions and some bloods to check your ovulate etc. We got referred after a year of secondary infertility and under 35 (tho did have thyroid issues after first child)

Thanks all!! I imagine they will be bit 'you're too fat' etc but I am getting there with my weight just don't want to leave it another 6 months + to just get the ball rolling.

Not too overweight but I'm sure they will mention it!

Your weight shouldn't be an issue getting the testing done. PCOS for example can cause excess weight so there would be no point turning people away from finding the cause. The can help with that via Metformin etc.

Weight might be an issue before starting any treatment, so you'd be wise to start dieting now.

Blood tests (day 21) for 3 months after the 6 month wait. Then HSG and ultrasounds, then gaene referral, then Clomid with monthly day 21/lsh/amh/fsh blood tests for 6 months, then BMI tests for three months for 'stable BMI' under 30. Then IVF referral. IVF clinic will do everything again plus HIV/Hep tests.

Tests the GP should perform prior to referral
Blood tests on day 3 and 21 to check ovarian function and ovulation
Rubella status
Chlamydia swab
Weight/height BMI
Cervical smear test up to date
Blood test for thyroid function and prolactin
Partner's semen analysis
An ultrasound scan and tubal patency test will be arranged once referred to the hospital, hystersalpingogram or laparoscopy
Possible repeat of the Initial tests if first results are abnormal, partner may need blood tests if semen analysis is abnormal.

Hi everyone! Thank you I bit the bullet and am booked in for next week!

Some blokey managing the reception this afternoon so no questions really just confirmed it was a dr I wanted to see.

Have a lovely evening all!