Secondary infertility - will GP do anything?

[crazychemist]

Hi there,

I have a DD already, who is 3. DH and I have been ttc#2 for more than 18 months. I was breastfeeding for the first 6 months of that, but had regular cycles during that time.

We’ve decided to go to the GP if we still don’t have any luck this cycle.

Will they actually do anything, or because we have one child, am I just getting my hopes up for no reason?

I’ve been monitoring my cycles for the last 6 months and have a short luteal phase. Typically I start spotting 8dpo and I’m properly bleeding by 10dpo. I have tried the usual things with vitamins to try and sort this out (usual pre-conception vitamins, vitamin C, B vitamins, Agnus Castus during first half of cycle, coQ).

I feel like this is something that could probably be sorted relatively easily if it’s the only problem - I know I ovulate regularly (LH pee sticks, EWCM and temping all in line) but not early enough. There are drugs to bring forwards ovulation, or to delay menstruation. But I’m terrified of going and being told there’s nothing they’ll do because I already have a child.

So do they do anything? And if not, how do you actually start down the path of going private for treatment? I don't know if we could afford it or not, we wouldn’t consider IVF, but hormonal treatment we’d give a go.

Sorry, that ended up being really long!

@crazychemist i think it's worth going to the gp and find out. I already have two kids, still went to the gp and they ran some bloodtests which came back normal but was told to come back in three months of still nothing. Aren't we entitled to get a referral to a gynecologist at least? I also have a short luteal phase and think some progesterone supplements could help.

Thanks for the response @Lilice. Do you know what your tests were for? How long had you been trying for DC#3 before you went?

Not that long to be honest. I conceived my first two very quickly, but now im over 35, so i wanted to get the ball rolling asap. Just have to wait 6 months when you're over 35 anyway. I got tested at the beginning of the cycle for fsh, lh, testosterone, shbg and androgen. Then went back for the day 21 test to check progesterone levels, which came back normal too but really that was to check if I ovulated

We tried for over 2 years. Fell first month of trying with my daughter. Nothing nada zip with #2

After 12 months I went to the GP. They did blood tests and a hysteroscopy on me and bloods and SA on the OH. All 'normal' nothing up with either of us. That's basically all they can do because we have a child. Which of course I understand but it's still difficult.

I have a short luteal phase (7 days) so spent a lot of time having acupuncture and reiki to try and lengthen it. The docs didn't think it was an issue but 🤷🏼‍♀️

Because of my age (38) I was very VERY stressed at never having another child. We paid for IVF which failed. And decided after much heartache that we would stop trying and just enjoy our lives and try and move on. Not as blasé as I've written it as it was a difficult decision to make

The month after the IVF failed I fell pregnant on holiday (biggest shock ever) and he's currently 9 months and sleeping on me.

I have secondary infertility too - I was referred to a recurrent miscarriage clinic but in the end went privately for tests due to the constant waiting - it's a standard 3-4 month wait in my area for EACH test

It’s definitely worth a trip to the GP. Sometimes people can develop other things like an under active thyroid postpartum which can contribute to fertility issues. Another friend of mine was having issues but it was actually that her husband had early stage testicular cancer. Once that was dealt with all was fine, but they probably wouldn’t have caught that so soon if they weren’t looking at their reproductive health