Fertility help from the Drs

[Muda]

Who has been to the Drs after struggling to conceive?

I am 36 and my partner is 38-it’s been over 6 months and we haven’t been able to conceive as yet. With the lockdown I’m not sure when we will be able to see the Dr for help so I was just wondering what the initial steps or advice they give you when you first go?

Okay so I’m 32 but been with my husband since we were in our teens. Only just had DD. First of all, they are unlikely to give you any advanced help unless you say you have been trying to conceive for two years. If you don’t say this then they may ask you about periods etc and perhaps ovulation tracking and help with them but not much more invasive, you may even have to prompt them to help. If you have been trying for two years then they will do hormone tests and gynae examinations before moving you on for any more advanced help.

Actually if you are over 36 then the recommended "wait" time is not 2 years but 6 months

But be aware that many NHS trusts have a maximum age of 36 to be able to access IVF on the NHS

You can ask GP to run tests on yourself and partner but to be honest you'll wait Months especially at the moment it's not a priority and they won't run the full barrage of tests a private IVF clinic will do. Most clinics offer a couples fertility MOT package for a few hundred pounds.

Given that there could be massive delays to IVF on the NHS that's IF your area isn't one that offers no funding at all - I would explore private treatment as many have payment plans and quite a few are offering cut prices at the moment for when they reopen

@LouiseTrees you are totally wrong!! It's 6 months for couples over 35 and 1 year for anyone under this age.

@ivfgottostaypositive is totally right. GPs have put a stop on all fertility treatment at the moment, expect for the ones say in the middle of an IVF round. I would certainly look into something private or at least pay an external company to run some tests for you to begin with so you can take it from there. These are usually inexpensive, about £70-100 for typical fertility blood tests but may be worth going private for it all if you have the money and are wanting to move things quickly