What to expect from seeing the GP?

[VenusStarr]

Bit of background, have been ttc since December 2017. Was on the pill prior to that but my cycles regulated almost straight away. I do have short cycles - 24-26 day cycles. I believe I am ovulating, average between cd11-13. No bfp in that time. I've been having regular acupuncture for 6 months. I think it's helped my cycle, but I still have fairly light periods (and no baby 😔)

I'm struggling, a lot. My mood has completely crashed and struggling to feel hopeful that it will ever happen. Have spent most days the last few weeks crying. Always feel like I'm on the verge of tears and I've completely lost interest in anything. Been referred for counselling via work as I'm feeling very stressed, starting next week but it's only a handful of sessions. I'm 35, DH is 36. We made the decision to see the doctor and our appointment is tomorrow morning. I've had a think about what I think they'll ask and also to ask about next steps.

Is it likely that we will come out with referrals for blood tests and sperm analysis? Or is that jumping too far ahead? I'm really conscious that time is not on our side. Feel like I'm trapped in a depressing vicious circle 😔

Hopefully you can get a sperm test at least. Hope it happens for you soon xx

When I went to see my GP she just asked about my cycles, how long we had been trying, how often we have sex, and then referred us to a specialist. The GP herself didn't order any tests. The referral to the specialist took just over seven months before I got an appointment. Good luck!

Thank you both. Seven months!! Wow. That's a long time to wait - especially after already trying for a year.

I really need to find a way to cope and not have it at the forefront of my mind every day. I hope that at least seeing the GP will get things moving for us.

Sorry you are having to deal with this. I think it depends on where you live.
For me, I was told that referrals were only valid if we'd been ttc for 2 years. Thankfully they could see that I'd been off the pill for two years which helped my case.
I also showed my fertility tracker app which had two years worth of cycle history on it.
Your age may help - where I live the qualifying period is 6 months if you are over 35.
Ironically I was 33 when I came off the pill, and then 35 when we started the fertility tests.
I know of cases where people have been told to just wait a little longer.
They will look at your lifestyle, bmi, smoking and all that as well.
I would say just be open minded and that you might not come away with a referral.
I was very persistent in the end and they gave in to shut me up.
As it happened I've got crap eggs and my husbands sperm can't swim. So I wasn't complaining for nothing.
Good luck xx

Antidepressants helped me survive the months that turned into years. Do anything you can to be kind to yourself/ help you get through it.

Sometimes it does just take awhile, so hopefully you're in that camp.

Honestly, I'd go in with the plan of what you want to happen, not just wait and see what the gp suggests - many are clueless about fertility tests (though not all).

Good luck!

Go armed with information:
Cycle length
Ovulation days
Lutal phase
How long period, type colour amount
How often sex
Any pain during sex or after
Vitamins you’re both taking
Your diet and exercise
If you smoke/drink
Both your bmi.

To start with these will probably do blood tests to see if you are ovulating and other things and then it goes from there.

We first went to the doctors for first appointment in July 2017 and have just been approved for IVF after lots of tests and waiting!! Good luck

I went to the doctors and they did the tests there, they arranged my bloods and did all of that. Next step would be OH’s semen analysis. At our doctors surgery they carry out these tests after 12 months, then repeat if there is an issue then refer x

Thank you @notanaturalmum. I was tracking and did track my bbt for a couple of cycles but I was getting so obsessed. The last couple of cycles I have been going by my cm and feel I can pinpoint roughly when I ovulate. I will mention it tomorrow. I hope things have worked out for you x

Thank you @physicskate, Im struggling to be kind to myself at the moment but I know that's not helpful. Thanks for the advice - I think I'm going to push for tests. I know a few years ago I had 2 small fibroids so will bring that up too, although I don't have the typical heavy periods or other symptoms associated with fibroids.

I'm not sure I'll make it through the appointment without crying :( I've written down the things I need the GP to know

Cross posted with you @WhatelsecouldIbecalled I've got all of that written down, thank you. Fingers crossed for ivf for you x

Thank you @sunshine1987 seems like it is a postcode lottery of what doctors will do! Hopefully mine is like yours. I hope things are going well for you x

Ah thanks.
Yeah we had a baby 18 months ago via IVF and then by some bizarre turn of events I have ended up pregnant again naturally which nobody can understand.
You will get there, it just be a slightly different route.
It helped for us to have something nice to do whenever my period arrived - going for cocktails, booking a city break. Random things that would be harder to do once we became parents. Basically diversion therapy.

Wishing you all the best

Congratulations @notanaturalmum :)

Thanks for the ideas too x

Hope everything goes ok today for you x

Thank you @sunshine1987. The GP was good. He's given me the blood test forms for the cd1-5 and cd21 tests, booked in for swabs and referred for an ultrasound. DH has been referred for a sperm analysis. I'm already past cd5 but I can get the progesterone test done this cycle. He said he needs to wait for our test results before referring to a fertility clinic. So likely to be the new year. He also said that 25% of the people he refers on get pregnant naturally - think he was trying to help us feel there is hope! I didn't get upset like I thought I would, actually feel better for taking the step.

Our area funds one cycle of ivf. There are definitely more investigations for us than the men! Thanks for asking x

@venusstarr great news, honestly as soon as the tests start being done it’s a weight off your shoulders. Even when it came back saying something was off with my results i felt good knowing I was proactively doing something, rather than wondering what if something wasn’t right z