New member, trying first time, lots of dumb questions

[bennettsleg]

Hi

First post here, I've done a search for 'fertility testing' on the forum, so apologies if I am unwittingly repeating questions.

I'm 36, OH is 41, married for 5 years and now trying for a baby. Neither of us have had children before. As I haven't had to look into conceiving before - more the opposite! - I know I'm going to come across as a complete numpty with my questions, so please bear with me.

I searched for 'fertility testing' as I fear I may have more against me than other 'normal' women. I have an average of 4 periods per year. I approached a Dr about this before we married as I was concerned, but his advice was that this was 'normal' for me. After 7 years of unprotected sex with my OH I have only had one time of suspected pregnancy - which was proven wrong.

I have taken my temperature daily (a while ago, things went on hiatus due to various reasons) but I noticed that there was no predictable ebb/flow to the temperature levels, it was varying across a few whole degrees within the month, but inconsistently up/down.

I am wondering if, due to my alleged 'normal' period levels and my age if I should just go direct to fertility test to see if I am viable. We are willing to go private for this but am unsure where to start, particularly given the response from my NHS Dr.

We're both prepared for the fact that we may be unable to have a baby. Am I unreasonable to want to avoid the emotional build-up and investment only to have my suspicions confirmed?

Any advice would be gratefully received, particularly if anyone else has gone through the same situation as me.

Thanks
B.

Hi!
Just bumping for you really, I think you should see another doctor to be honest and get a second opinion.
My friend is having an ultrasound and various testing done through the NHS as she is having very few periods and she is probably looking to take Clomid soon.
Both of your histories read similar, (except your ages are different) so I would have thought the NHS would help you out.

Good Luck and all the best

Also one thing her doctor said as encouragement is, that you are still having a period, so that is a hopeful sign.

Yes, go to NHS doc and explain you've been trying for a year - actively trying (I think 5 yrs unprotected sex counts as that! - assuming it was more than once a year or something). And that you'd like some investigations into what's going on. They should help I think?

Hi B, I only have 3 or 4 periods a year due to PCOS (polycystic ovaries), I've got a 2yr old DD and am currently TTC again and am taking clomid. We've had to go private for the clomid because of our PCT's rules.

But for your situation, you should be able to have tests done on the NHS (sperm test for OH, scan and then another unpleasant test I can't remember the name of where they put dye through your Fallopian tubes). You'll need to go back to your doc and push for a referal but it's worth doing some research into what's available where you live so you can tell the doc where you want to be referred to. In terms of going private, I still needed a referral for the hospital I wanted to be seen at but the advantage of going private waswe had all the tests done and the results back within a fortnight ( before DD it took months to get the same tests done on the NHS) but it did cost around £1000 so not cheap.

Hope that helps and sorry for any typos!

bennettsleg

I would seek a second opinion (that doc you initially saw was completely hopeless really); having 4 periods a year is certainly not the norm at all. Such problems are often caused by hormonal imbalances; in this regard a condition called polycystic ovaries or PCOS are common culprits.

Temp charting as well is not worth doing in these circumstances as it is likely you are not ovulating regularly if at all. It is no surprise to me that you ended up with a chart almost impossible to read.

Would speak to your GP asap and ask for a referral to a gynae at a subfertility unit in hospital. Do not be fobbed off; gynaes do like to see women over the age of 35 if they have been ttc for 6 months without success.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

Thnak you all for your input. I now have an appt with a different Dr in 15 days time(!) and have made contact with a sort-of-sister-in-law, who I find is in a similar position, to talk through a plan of attack. I won't leave the Drs office without a referral!