Private fertility testing

[Vea1601]

We've decided we might try private fertility testing. It's £395 for blood tests, pelvic scan and sperm sample with consultation afterwards. No saying when the tests will be done on the NHS and we've been trying 18 months. I'm nervous about spending the money and I worry it won't help. I'd like to know. But is it worth £395? We probably can't afford fertility treatment if the results show we need it... So torn. How did you feel after fertility testing? X

How old are you both? If you're 28+ then it's absolutely worth it, if you do turn out to have issues then literally every month counts.

We did it (and spent more than that!) everything was fine with us which was reassuring but also added pressure to TTC.
My friend did bloods only and they found she was low on something, gave her medication and she conceived within a few months. After 18 months I would say worth getting tested. Wouldn’t you rather know if something was wrong?

The reason I picked 28 btw is quite arbitrary - DH and I started trying at that age, we eventually found out we needed IVF with ICSI. 3 IVF cycles later we had DS, but I'm now 35 and despite a further 5 goes we've been unable to conceive a sibling so far and have just found out I have premature ovarian failure which makes it much harder.

We both turned 30 this year and have no children. I had some day 21 bloods a while ago which were fine. I'm just frustrated I think and want to check everything it fine... My sister thinks it's a waste of money and to just wait it out.

If it was me I would get them done if I'd been trying for 18months as with what's happening with covid god knows when you can get the tests done.
Guidelines are if you have been ttc over a year and you are under 35 to see a GP re further testing.
I also had a HSG when we had been ttc for 20 months. I don't know whether they do that privately to check you have no blockages in your Fallopian tubes
It ended up being unexplained infertility for us, on one hand I was glad there was nothing found but the other hand frustrated as I wasn't getting pregnant.
I now have a little girl after 2.5 years ttc.
Do what you feel is right, ignore your sister x

After 18 ttc I think worth finding out. Do
You know if you are ovulating? How are your periods?

Day 21 bloods showed i was ovulating. I have periods regularly between 26 and 30 days. Not heavy. Light periods last 2 to 3 days. Used ovulation tests and see a Lh peak. Have sex regularly enough. Though we were trying SMEP Method this month. I was admitted to hospital last summer - as was trying to conceive they did a scan to check no ectopic pregnancy. It was actually a burst appendix. But the doctor did say he couldn't see any reason I couldn't get pregnant from that scan. Tbh I think I'm more interested in husbands sperm sample. As my initial bloods and scan at they time was all OK. I'm a bit worried a my BMi is about 28 so I know I'm classed as overweight and don't really want a lecture as I run regularly 8 miles... My friend is a lot heavier than me and fell pregnant after having sex twice her first month of trying...

Get the private test - if you've been TTC for 18 months there's likely an issue (although you might not find out what it is - some people have unexplained infertility). If you do need IVF then better begin ASAP.

Same boat and I researched private but in the end no need. We had been TTC baby no.1 for 18 months and went to the doctors. Both of us have had tests and results back (all during lockdown) and are awaiting our appointment for infertility referral. Can you do this without spending the money?

@vea1601 burst appendix can lead to blockage in fallopian tubes I think. Have a listen to the big fat negative podcast episode 1 or maybe 2. One of the hosts mentions that is why she has had difficulty conceiving.

Just to say that you will probably need more than one sperm analysis - I think it's 3 to get a clear result.

Unfortunately the tests can't be do in our local area on the NHS. I'm a nurse and I've rung the labs myself and they aren't even considering reopening for semen samples yet. I've booked the private appt for the start of August. Feeling nervous about the money but this gives us time to think about it at least.

@vea1601 it will be worth every penny, I deeply regret not doing this at the beginning of my infertility journey. Good luck x

Thanks northeast. I'm a bit worried what we do with the results as we can't afford private fertility treatment... But we'll cross that bridge in guess.

That's really frustrating. Getting him tested is important (they only asked us for 2 samples but they had to be done 3 months apart) so if I were you, I would get this done privately as soon as possible.

OP I think your doing the right thing. As a nurse also I think it will be a long time until they do semen samples etc. Then they'll have the back logs of fertility clinics
My husband required 2 semen samples one from his GP and one for the Fertility unit so different areas have different criteria xx

I'm worried my tubes might be blocked as I've had my gall bladder and appendix out in the last 2 years. But that scan is £450 extra. I guess we cross that bridge when we come to it?