GP help before a year - any luck?

[Superstorefan123]

I had a miscarriage in June and have been TTC ever since with no luck. Since my lose (ectopic pregnancy) I’ve had heavier periods (longer, more clots and way more painful) as well as lots of ovulation pain. I also had some pre existing issues (irregular periods etc). I know I’ve not been trying that long but I can’t help feel something is wrong :(

GP won’t help until it’s been a year - did anyone go private for testing? If so which testing did you look into? At my wits end and struggling to be patient!

First of all are you using OPK (ovulation predictor kits)? They are essential if you're irregular.
Secondly, your GP should be looking into these issues independently of whether they're anything to do with infertility. Just as medical issues they bear looking into, so it's worth booking an appointment with the GP. You could have falllopian tube damage from ectopic pregnancy so they should be able to offer follow up care or an ultrasound to see what is going on.

You can buy sperm count fertility testing kits online, have you tried one of these (to rule it out if nothing else)? We thought the TTC issues were all down to me and my irregular periods, and it turned out to be low sperm count, easily fixed with DH taking zinc supplements for three months, and knowing when I was definitely ovulating, which the OPK kits sorted out.

Good luck!

@SpookabooAtTheZoo thank you that is really helpful! Yes to using OPKs. I’ll definitely ask the doctor to investigate these issues separately as the pain of the period and the length (one was 3 weeks straight of bleeding) is a pain even without the lack of conceiving :(

I reckon if there is a change in your periods you are entitled to go and see a GP, regardless of whether you're TTC.

I have long irregular cycles, bad family history of fertility, I'm also TTC 5+ months but I just went in with my concern of there being a clear issue with my periods and I was taken seriously. Have had an ultrasound, going in to see the GP for results next week and will go in for blood tests when I next get my period. Give it a go, they can only say no xx

I am in a similar boat. I had a mmc in May, surgical management in June. I have been ttc ever since. I dont use opks though, wondered if i should.. periods irregular. Its so disheartening as I though id be pregnant again by now 😩

@Superstorefan123 we sound similar, mmc in July and chemical September. I have normal regular periods but if I don’t conceive by the new year I think I’ll go for private testing! I think I just need reassurance that I’m okay and it will happen more than anything! I know nhs won’t be able to do anything for me at this stage but I definitely think the GP should help you if you’re having those issues with your periods! Let me know how you get on with it xx

It’s so disheartening isn’t it to conceive and miscarry easily and then have it not happen again :( sorry to everyone in the same boat. I’ll go back to the doctor and try and get some support!

I was in a similar position. Lost a tube, following that had some bleeding between periods, heavy clots, more pains and horrendous ovulation pain which I never had before. GP saw me and examined me and also had a scan. But wouldn’t do anything for fertility, however I already have one child NHS don’t do anything anyway. They can only do blood tests which I can use to go to private fertility clinic but GP said she’d do those whenever I wanted. Lost a tube in January, still trying now.

84% of people conceive within a year. I get that 4 months feels a long time to you but it's no time at all.

That's why they won't investigate until after 12 months. You'd be throwing money up the wall to go private after 3/4 months.

The pain and other issues you should absolutely see GP about.

@Milamight definitely try opk. In my last cycle I ovulated 5 days later than usual, on day 24. I would have given up dtd by day 18 if I didn’t know with opk to keep going.

I have a friend who had an ectopic, and lost a tube. They went on to concieve two children. There is hope. Do try to enquire about 3 week periods, hopefully the gp will try to help look into it.