Fallopian tube blockage testing?

[philbee]

We've been TTCing for a year now, following an mc this time last year, anniversary is in a week. Initial blood / semen tests for came back normal. Should the GP have referred me to be checked for blocked fallopian tubes? Can I email / ring to ask for this or do I have to go back in again - feel like I can't really face explaining it all again face to face at the moment.

Glad you asked this question, I too had blood tests n they were fine, when I asked what happened next (been ttc for 15 months) age says nothing I have to wait two years :( I'm tempted to visit another doctor and ask for by tubes to be tested as I think she should have sent me there next. I don't see the point of having another 9 months of stress and tears to find out I have a blocked tube!!

I would ring the doctor and ask what your next step is!

*they not age!

Hi Happily, thanks for your reply. I'll ring them. I did the day 21 test twice and got the second result a few months ago. When I talked to the GP after that she told me the stats again, you know, 90% of couples conceive after a year (can't remember exact figure) etc. and I said we'd wait until end of 2012 (18 months). Tbh we were both done with thinking about it at the time and I needed a break from it all but, as you say, would be very frustrating to find out about blocked tubes later on. HFEA and NICE both say tube testing is the next step in our situations. Are you going to ask about it?

You have spurred me to action - have made an appointment for this morning, so will see what happens.

Gynaes generally like to see couples after a year of ttc without success.

Glad you made an appointment! :) Let us know what they say! X

Atalia, I know :( that's what I said. Two different gps at the surgery said because I'm only 26 I have to wait two years. Don't seem fair really, if there is a problem my age doesnt matter it still needs sorting out! Dh and I had a chat and I've decided I'm going to go back in two months (that will be 18 months of ttc) loaded with the nice guidelines and demand further investigations!

They are referring me for the check, and said I should also get a standard STI swab done (seems odd they didn't recommend this before tbh, although I am sure it will be all clear). Apparently it will be 6-8 weeks before I get a letter, so not soon. I am 35, so the timescales are different, they will test after 6 months, and as I've got pg after 4 and 3 months before it does seem like something's changed (although anecdotally I hear that a lot of women take longer to get pg after miscarriage). But two years seems like a long time. The NICE guidelines and the HFEA both say that Fallopian tube checking is the next stage after the initial tests so I'm not sure why they'd delay you having that investigation too if they've done the initial tests. Will try to find some links so you can take in some ammunition.

Here's the NICE guideline: guidance.nice.org.uk/CG11/PublicInfo/pdf/English

On page 25 it says that if you've been trying for over a year you should be offered the Fallopian tube investigation. Think it would be worth asking, as my GP didn't mention it to me either and was all for us just trying for longer, but today they didn't seem to have any problem with referring me. You can get a chlamydia test (which they also recommend in the NICE guideline) just by making a nurse appointment for one. It's rubbish to have to do all this research yourself and insist on things, isn't it? They don't seem to volunteer things even if they're possible, but I've been told clearly that we won't get IVF, as if I'm about to demand it on the spot.