Seeing Dr for fertility tests - which are needed for men and women?

[artylady14]

My partner and I both have Dr appointments this week to ask for fertility tests as we have been trying for quite a while now and are both in our late 30s. Which are the tests we should ask for? Has anyone had these done? I was wondering if we are also going to be waiting a long time for appointments and whether we should go private?

Initially at least you are safer going under the NHS. Some private treatment is poor in quality as well as being expensive. If you do decide on any aspect of private treatment carefully do your researches beforehand.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost. Some GPs may or may not decide to do investigative tests. This person may refer you straight away to the hospital without doing any simple tests beforehand. Initial tests usually consist of bloodwork for you and semen analyses (note the plural as one test is not fully conclusive) for him.

Gynaes generally like to see couples over 35 years of age when they have been trying to conceive for six months or more without success.

Your GP should refer you as a couple to a subfertility unit for further evaluation. Are you both under the same GP practice?. It may be an idea for you both have the same GP practice as it could be that one of you may be in one PCT whilst the other is under another PCT.

Hi Arty,

I had my first blood test - day 21 progesterone, within a few days. In fact I think the doctor sent me at our 1st appointment. DH had his sperm analysis a few weeks later. We were referred to a consultant straight away (had been ttc for 2 years) and the appt came through in 3/4 months. I then had day 2 blood tests (fsh, lh and estradiol) straight away, a scan within 2 weeks and an hsg about 6 months after first going to the doctor.

So the tests are all reasonably quick, and as my progesterone was low I was prescribed Clomid in April. I think I would have paid to go private in hindsight, if we had the money. I wish we had gone to the Doctors earlier as every month counts and I also think that they weren't particularly thorough.. If after all of this it still doesn't work, you may be referred for ivf. I'm not sure if it is the same everywhere, but where we are it is 3 years ttc.

Hope that helps, it's all a mysterious when you start out! One thing I would say is to keep a log of everything as you go along - dates, appointments, test results etc.

Hx

Thank you both for your replies. My partner and I don't have the same Dr and they are in completely different areas so definitely different PCT. I am glad that you had all your tests quite quickly hedgehog1975. We did go to the Fertility Show in September and met a lot of companies selling tests so will see what happens at the Dr's this week. I hope it all goes well for you ladies too.