First fertility appointment - what to expect?

[Desperatelyboredhousewife]

I’ve been TTC for a year, and I have my first appointment with a fertility specialist on Friday. I appear to ovulate (positive OPKs, confirmed with BBT, have all the signs of ovulation) however my day 21 bloods show low progesterone. I also have an extremely short luteal phase (between 4-9 days) My partners SA came back normal and so did my day 1 bloods and ultrasound. If you’ve been in my position, am I likely to be prescribed Clomid? I am also going to ask for progesterone if possible due to the short LP.

I researched a bunch of questions to ask on your first consultation so that when you leave you feel like you've covered everything. there's a bunch of posts and websites with great ideas.

Hi @Desperatelyboredhousewife how did you get on? I also think (from opks!) I have a v short Luteal phase so am hooong y treatment is available! X

Hey @Carlotta27 it actually went really well - the consultant was amazing, he gave us so much hope which I feel like I had completely lost. He prescribed 3 rounds of un-monitored Clomid cycle days 2-6 and then progesterone days 14-28. He couldn't give a reason for my short luteal phase but did suggest weak ovulation as my day 21 progesterone tests have been low. It will be hard not to get my hopes up but I feel very grateful to have a starting point now. I am currently 9dpo (didn't do clomid this cycle as I saw the doctor after CD2) but my luteal phase is normally 4-7 days, so I'm hoping AF doesn't come but if/when she does, I will be starting Clomid next cycle.

Hi @Desperatelyboredhousewife that sounds like good news so far ! I’ve always had a 19day cycle and only since charting whilst TTC did I notice my LP was very short ( 5 days last cycle)

Please keep me updated in how you’re doing. I’ve been suffering awful anxiety attacks recently due to fears about my odd cycle and desire to conceive, and hope to go down a similar treatment route to you, so I’m glad to hear your hopeful news!

could I ask which fertility specialist you saw? I’m not far from London

Fti - I’ve only been TTC a few cycles but aware I’ve always since age 11 had a 19 day cycle so hope I’m not turned away for seeking help early in my journey. How long did you wait ?

thanks so much for sharing and fingers crossed for next cycle!

xxx

@Carlotta27 I don't know what my cycles were like because I was on the mini pill for 10 years, but since coming off 14 months ago my LP was consistently 5 days (sometimes 4). Last 3 months it's more like 7-8 days (although on day 9 now so I have no idea how that's happened) I started taking Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C and Vitamin D which may have helped, I also cut down on caffeine. I know how you feel about the anxiety - a couple of months ago I literally said to my partner I think we need to accept this isn't going to happen, was feeling so down, but I feel so much more in control now we've seen someone. I waited 6 months to go to the GP and she agreed to progress my tests as I had irregular cycles, so you should be able to do the same if your GP is sympathetic. However it took 6 more months to get the tests and be referred to NHS, at the year mark we made the decision to see a private specialist. Cost £180 for the initial appointment, £80 for a blood test, and £60 for 3 months Clomid & Progesterone. We saw Dr Gangooly at Springfield Hospital (based in Essex so not too far from you) would highly recommend him, he said to us 'you will be fine, you will have a baby' which just felt so reassuring to hear. Keep your head up, hopefully we will both have some luck soon.

Hi @Desperatelyboredhousewife thank you so much for sharing that

you’ve helped me make my mind up to get a private appt - that’s not a huge cost to avoid nhs waiting lists

you’re right about the anxiety - it’s unfair that we’re in this journey and other aren’t and so worrying not knowing what lies ahead

thank you for the recommendation! Not sure whether to travel to Essex (as I’m in Surrey) but may need to look further afield if the LP issues isn’t recognised

wishing u the best of luck and do let me know how you get on with the treatment! X

I’ve experienced this since coming off the pill in the summer. I was just on your post from January and decided to google your name in the hope of seeing some good news. I’m glad you’re getting some help with it now, hopefully it won’t be long until you get your BFP 🤞🏼

Hi @BCxx thanks so much for that! I only
have tests booked so not quite getting help yet

if im honest im suffering hugely mentally. The worry of Infertility and unknowns of my odd cycle have taken over me and I’m also urgently seeking mental help

sharing in case any one else is feeling alone like this too xxx

Thank you @BCxx glad to know I'm not the only one who searches usernames to see if they have had good news! I'm actually on 10dpo this cycle without any intervention, I even got the tiniest shadow of a line last night but pretty sure the test I did this morning was negative so I'm going to wait a few days. Anyway, don't lose hope, our bodies might sort themselves out and if not there's a lot of people who can help!

@Desperatelyboredhousewife thank you for this post. I have been TTC #3 for a year now and my progesterone is often low in luteal phase. I think I need clomid and possibly some progesterone, looked into private but could only see monitored clomid which was going to cost £2k by some basic research. I’m so happy to see this doctor would offer something different. It’s given me hope as we just couldn’t spend that much money

@Carlotta27 I’m south london/surrey also, Essex is quite far. I wonder if he works anywhere else?

Hey @Mummyme87 ive just booked initial calls and tests with the Surrey park clinic so will let you know how I get on! Other than that I don’t have any recommendations yet, and certainly haven’t found any good cheap / non private options I’m afraid :/

@Carlotta27 ah great. Let me know how you get on. I did look at their website a little while back.

I won’t bother with NHS as I won’t be eligible due to having two children, and I’m happy to pay for more bloods, consultation, prescription etc, just within reason. It’s not our first so thousands isn’t reasonable

@Mummyme87 you can get the initial tests etc on nhs very quickly even if you have children. You wouldn’t get ivf etc on nhs but the blood tests etc you would. They wouldn’t do much in the way of progesterone prescription unless you have 3 miscarriages though but I think they do look into clomid or other medication if your progesterone is low when you have the blood tests as this suggests weak ovulation.

I have the opposite issue at the moment. I have high progesterone at the time of the bloods so have strong ovulation but I spot from around 9/10dpo and last cycle I got pregnant but lost it at 5 weeks so think my progesterone drops too soon but likely need 3 miscarriages before they will help me but my GP is contacting the gynae specialists to ask them to contact me for further advice because of how worried I am about the spotting and more miscarriages. They probably won’t help me yet on nhs but I’m impressed my GP took me seriously and wants to help. I already have a 7 year old.

Yes @allgoodthings84 I spoke to GP at 6months as I am over 35. She sent me for a Scan which was normal, I had thyroid which is apparently normal, I’ve done progesterone, LSH/LH through a consultant at work and progesterone is Temperamental. GP said she will refer to fertility clinic at 12months. However my BMI is over 30 so won’t do much until it’s under that which I don’t anticipate happening. It’s just all shit, I hate this. I’m a midwife aswell where all my colleagues are getting pregnant alllll the time and obvs babies and pregnant mums everywhere

@Mummyme87 when you say progesterone is temperamental what do you mean? Did they give you the results of your thyroid test as I’ve been told the normal for everyday isn’t the same as what’s good for ttc. I’m over 35 too and because I got pregnant last cycle there’s not much they can likely do yet but before I conceived they were going to refer me as soon as my blood results come back not have to wait until a year. It’s so annoying that it differs from GP to GP on what help they will/can give and how quickly. They did say though that we would both need to be non smokers and bmi under 30. Ttc is so hard and emotionally awful. It’s taken over my life and I know I’m not alone in that. It must be so hard for you working with babies all the time. I really hope you get some answers soon and get your bfp

I know it's been a while but I wanted to update you, got this today 14dpo on my first cycle of Clomid & Progesterone. Obviously it's super early days but I'm keeping everything crossed!

@Desperatelyboredhousewife oh wow congratulations! That’s fantastic news and your should definitely be feeling positive :) fingers crossed for you

thank you for sharing and giving us reasons to be helpful x