Which additional fertility tests can I ask to be done on the NHS? 🧪

[Violete]

I have had:

Day 3 bloods
Day 21 bloods
Antral follicle count
HSG (x ray and dye)
Ultrasound scan.

DH has had 2x sperm analysis.

They have not yet found the reason for our infertility. I have an appointment with the consultant this afternoon. What else can I ask her for?

That's what I had on the NHS at my IVF clinic.
We got put down as unexplained infertility.

Took the route of IVF, got our baby.

I have had one IVF cycle but unfortunately it was a BFN.

Prof Winston says that unexplained fertility is really an absence of a diagnosis - in other words, the reason just hasn't been found yet.

I do get 'javelin arse' as it's termed on MN, wondering about asking for a laparoscopy / possible endo?

I didn't get anything over and above what you've had I'm afraid.

Laps can make endo worse in the long run due to scarring. So if you think you may have endo and currently have very minimal symptoms then a lap may not be the way forward. Especially as it doesn’t make fertility impossible, just more difficult.

The waiting list is currently very long though. If you’re set on it you could always ask for a referral (if they’ll give you one) and get the ball rolling, and hopefully you’ll be pregnant before you need it.

All the other tests I can think of you’d have to pay privately for. But I don’t know a lot about it so could be wrong.

Do you have symptoms of endo?

Has the ultrasound revealed any issues eg pcos/endo? Has your/your partner's thyroid ever been checked?

Your lucky you've had all of above done. They refuse to give me follicle count or dye test

Excision is the only way to remove endometriosis and there are only a few skilled specialists in the UK. You want to
avoid a general gynaecologist doing it. If it is done by a specialist then it’s more likely they will find and get rid of it without it recurring.

it all depends where the endo is as to how it presents and what damage it can be doing. It can cause permanent damage so definitely worth finding a specialist to excise at the same time, rather than one lap to diagnose and then another later down the line.

you probably already know that ultrasounds don’t show endo, if you are having symptoms like javelin ass/fanny daggers it’s worth exploring. A ca125 blood test can indicate endo if levels are raised so you could ask for that.

good luck xx