To ask when you approached your GP re infertility and what happened?

[hollaholla6]

DH and I have been TTC for 1 year this month, with no luck so far. I’m 25, DH 32 - neither of us have any health issues that we are already aware of. I came off of my pill just over a year ago and we have been trying ever since. I have a regular cycle, OPKs reveal that I am ovulating at the same time each month and we are DTD regularly and at the correct times. I don’t know what more we can do :(

I hear differing info re when it is appropriate to approach GP for for further tests. DH thinks we need to keep trying for longer and I don’t want to waste the GP’s time, but the NHS website does advise after 12 months of TTC. Even if this is the case, how can we prove we have been TTC for 12 months, do they take our word for it, or is it from when we have actually told our GP we are TTC.... In which case we’ll have to wait another year? The only record they would have is that I am no longer prescribed any contraception. Any info from anyone else who has been in the same boat would be really appreciated as I’m a bit lost.

They will take your word for it. They won't ask for evidence! :P

We went in after 7 months of ttc unsuccessfully, but it was because we hadn't been actively preventing for 3 years but we hadn't even had a scare. My GP sent me for blood tests. Had to repeat them a month later due to results, clear second time and 3 months later I was pregnant.

I suspect our story may be unusual but we were in the same position as you when we were 33 (me) and 39. Had been actively ttc for 12 months.

Our gp examined our bits and found two "structural anomalies" which, whilst they didn't prevent conception would clearly make it more difficult. Mine was reflexed vagina in case your interested.

She gave us some advice on positioning for conception (opp to what most people are told) and arranged some blood tests for me to check I was ovulating. I had these 3 weeks later but they were obsolete by the time I went to get the results as I was already pregnant.

Go, he might be shooting blanks. Don't wait with infertility.

We went after a year. GP took our word for it. Read the NICE guidance for infertility which shows what you can expect. First step is book a double appointment and both of you attend. Best of luck op. We finished all the tests and then happened to conceived naturally as we were waiting for the last results.

@Sleepinglemon that’s so helpful thank you, I’ll have a read

A year is standard. They will send DH for a sperm test and you will have cycle day 3 & 21 day bloods done among a fertility blood panel. These are to help check your own fertility. If they are clear your local fertility clinic should also offer scans, a hsg to check your tubes (they flush dye through them duing a scan to see if they're clear) and then possibly a laparoscopy to check them further if needed/check for endo.

If all that is clear they will probably offer you clomid. This is all under the NHS.

If that fails, your weight is within limit and neither of you have any previous children (together or previous relationships)they will offer you 1, 2 or 3 rounds of IVF. Depending on the postcode lottery in your area. Some areas are not offered any nhs rounds at all.

However... Get your GP to check your thyroid as priority, and your antithyroid antibodies. If your TSH level is over 2.5 then that alone could just be the problem and several months of levothyroxine could solve the entire problem. Ideally it needs to be around 1. Any fertility endocrinologist worth their salt will confirm this.

Also, get checked for coeliac, and your husband. Partiularly in men it can affect sperm, not just numbers and how they swim, but genetically. Male coeliac sufferers can have genetic problems with sperm, meaning that until they have totally irradicated gluten from their diet for several months their sperm might be pretty hopeless.

Oh, and read 'It starts with the Egg'. Though most of it is US targeted, the take home suggestions are get ri of any plastic tupperware and replace with glass. Replace non stick with stainless steel and proper cast iron. Use 'Zero' showergels and detergents, wahsing up liquids and household cleaners like Ecover etc. It takes 3 months to improve egg quality, minimum.

@Broombroomshaketheroom so much information, thank you!

If that fails, your weight is within limit and neither of you have any previous children (together or previous relationships)they will offer you 1, 2 or 3 rounds of IVF. Depending on the postcode lottery in your area. Some areas are not offered any nhs rounds at all.

That isn't entirely true. Rules differ depending on the CCG. In some areas the couple can have other children just not together for example. There's a document somewhere giving all the different qualifying criteria for each area.