Contraception > NO periods, NOT ovulating!..Fertility tests. Please help!

[mime26]

Hi,

For info:

I had the implant put in, in July 2014 (22y) had no issues on it or before it. Always had regular, relatively pain free cycles every month. I had the implant taken out July 2015 due to a break up and not being sexually active.

This is when the issues start, my periods came back but were horrendously painful. I mean, doubled over cannot breath, painful. So I opted to have the implant put back in Oct 2017 (25y) as I didn’t have any periods on them. This time round I gained weight, my skin was horrendous, I had mood swings and my libido non-existent (I had none of these issues before).

I had the implant taken out after 3 years in Sept 2020 (29y). From Sept 2020 to Feb 2022 I had no periods, not even spotting. My GP prescribed Norethisterone to ‘kickstart’ my periods in Oct 2021 to no avail. I had the withdrawal bleed and that’s it. In Feb 2022 I started bleeding heavily and thought my period had returned however, it was only after intercourse. Each time I had intercourse, I would bleed for sometimes up to 6 weeks. GP did bloods = not ovulating, referred to gynae. Gynae say I may have a hormone imbalance (no tests done) and want me to go on the pill to which I’ve said no as 1) contraception is what got me into this mess and 2) we’re TTC.

Had some bloods done at GP still not ovulating, still bleeding after intercourses but less so. It lasts a couple days. But still no sign of a period. Have been referred to fertility today.

I currently take Folic Acid, Vitamin D and Ashwaghanda as I’ve heard it’s good for fertility.

Please can anyone help, either

1. To tell me that they went through this and are now pregnant/have a child
2. they went to private fertility clinic/prices/what happened
3. what I can do to help myself

I am at my wits end and no professional seems to be taking notice. I feel so down about the whole thing knowing it’s something wrong with me.

Sorry for the long rambling post and thank you in advance to anybody that read it or can offer any sort of advice xx

Sorry you're going through this. I can't imagine the stress.

I'm not in your situation, but if I were you, I would see a private fertility specialist about whether ovulation induction is right for you.

I don't think the implant is the cause of this- there is no evidence it affects long term fertility. You just happened to be on the implant when the problem started. Have you had a thyroid test? AMH levels? Follicle count scan?

Hi @hford19 thank you for your reply.

I think the private route is what I’m going to go down because currently I’m left in limbo. Just wanted other peoples opinions/experiences on how it was for them.

Although I’ve now been referred to the fertility clinic, I think there’s a wait time of a year to actually be seen 🙈

I’ve had several blood tests that the GP requested, the most recent needed for the fertility referral. I’m assuming that these would be for the AMH etc as I don’t think the clinic accept the referral without? I’m not certain about this though.

Should they have let me know what they were testing for and what the individual results were?

Step 1 would be to try and find out what is happening and why. So it is PCOS, endometriosis or something else . Then when that is found next step is to try and get pregnant.
You need a gynie that won’t just put you on the pill - that’s just a sticking plaster. Not solving the underlying issue.
Doctors that use NaPro can be good - the address the issues with your fertility and with the aim for you to have a baby.
good luck.

@Blondlashes GP has said that everything is “fine” and it’s probably unexplained infertility. Which, I feel is a bit of a cop out explanation.
Thank you, will research napro doctors near me! 😊

Your GP wouldn't do AMH levels in most cases. That's usually done at a fertility clinic. There are actually very few things your GP is able to do in this situation.

As long there are follicles, there is hope. Given ovulation seems to be the problem, you might just need Clomid, which is much cheaper than IVF. I've looked at private clinics who do it and think it's reasonable in comparison. If it's affordable for you, it might be worth going down that route. NHS waiting times are crazy.

We've only started trying a few months but will go private if still no luck next cycle.

@hford19 thank you for that info, I wasn’t aware that they didn’t do AMH and regarding the wait times. I did ask my GP and she declared she didn’t know and I would have to speak to the clinic. Who won’t speak to me until I’ve received a letter. I just go round in circles with the professionals 🙃

Would the fertility clinic do the follicle count scan?

I’ve looked into Clomid and also Letrozole. I’m not sure which one would be ‘better’ for what I need.

A woman on TIKTOK was speaking about her experience and said that she had all her tests done on the NHS and had her private clinic work in conjunction with the NHS clinic so that they could share results etc. She only ended up paying for the medication itself and one or two other tests.

Are you also having a similar issue with ovulation?

As far as I know, I am ovulating according to BBT and LH tests, though still no luck getting pregnant.

But a couple years ago I started having very irregular periods and was worried about fertility. We weren't ready for a baby so I went for a fertility MOT just to make sure. The gynaecologist did AMH and a follicle count. It was really reassuring (cost £290 btw) and she said if there was issues with ovulation, they could give me ovulation induction in the future as the follicles were there. I'd recommend it.

@hford19 thank you so much for this, this is affordable for me. I thought the tests themselves might have been quite a lot more, which is why I hadn’t gone down the private route yet!

I’m going to make enquiries in the morning at the fertility clinic. It’s the same one I’m referred to as they do NHS and private patients. Hopefully I’ll be seen faster 🤞🏼

Can I ask what ovulation induction is? Is it the Clomid or something else? E.g different tests, drugs etc

Yes Clomid is one of the drugs they can use for ovulation induction.

That's great! I always think it's worth going private if you can stretch. After all I'd choose a baby over a bigger house and all the other things I'm saving up for. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

I just typed then lost a huge message here 😭

My story: huge long cycles (6 months), not ovulating, TTC for 3 years.

GP: did bloods (thyroid, blood sugar's, vitamin levels, hormones Inc FSH, LH, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, prolactin). Hormone panel needs done at CD3 and 21 so may need norethisterone to get it going. Referred to NHS gynaecology because of MIA periods. Referred to fertility clinic after 1 year TTC (but a MMC restarted the clock so this all took a long time)

Private: paid for package Inc AMH, semen analysis, structural ultrasound, hycosy.

NHS fertility: happy to take private results but repeated semen analysis, letrozole prescribed and monitored.

Your GP is full of nonsense @mime26 - "unexplained"?! You not ovulating at all is one clear explanation!

For you, I would be thinking about an ovulation disorder and/or endometriosis.

@IWillBeWaxingAnOwl WOW! This sounds almost exactly what I’m going through!!

Yes, my GP is rubbish. I’ve had to fight just to get this far whereas I know a few others who’s GP’s were very understanding and referred them straight away!

How long from when you were referred were you seen at your NHS fertility clinic?And did they pretty much get on with it because you’d had private tests?

I’ve made the decision to do the tests privately because they are affordable for me but don’t want to them be waiting a year for the NHS side to catch up.

Also did you just ask your GP what blood tests they’d done or did they give you a print out? I want to contact mine for a print out but they will probably fob me off again.

Sorry for the million questions but your condition/symptoms seem to be like mine and I don’t know anyone else or read anything about anyone else going through something similar.

@hford19 absolutely! I’ve given up on things because I know I want a baby more than anything!

I’ve got my fingers crossed for you too and wish you all the luck in the world!

i had no period for a year after coming off the pill, GP wasn’t interested as I wasn’t TTC. My periods came back but were irregular for a while, but they’ve been regular like clock work ever since (this was 7 years ago). I was told that sometimes your body gets used to hormonal contraceptives and it can take a while for it to get back to normal. I used to have bleeding after sex too and that turned out to be a cervical ectropion. Not sure if this is helpful!

Worth looking up the NICE guideline for ovulation disorder and the one for infertility @mime26 - both set out exactly what medics should do inc GPs.

We were seen by NHS fertility 4mo from referral (Glasgow, Scotland). They requested the repeat semen analysis be done whilst we waited and yes they accepted all private results and started with letrozole straight away.

My GP happily told me what tests they would do and the admin staff have me all the results in values. They should also be able to give a printout.

Meant to add that the fertility clinic told me to take folic, vitamin D and Fertility Family Inofolic Alpha supplement.

Also the costs of private assessment probably vary - in Glasgow the set package was £500 plus £600 hycosy. We chose to pay for hycosy as the wait in our healthboard for this in NHS is 9mo.

@mime26 I'm sorry for what you're going through, I have other fertility issues but wanted to give you guide me with your GP.
Sign up for the NHS app on your phone, then contact your GP and request the log in details to access your medical record on the app. Once you have your profile you can then request your full GP record including exact test results which you can then take to your private clinic. If this doesn't work you can absolutely request full details of your tests and results normally via email!

Your GP is also bonkers....unexplained?! What planet are they on??? There's plenty there to explain why your struggling TTC.

Don't forget you can also pick and choose your tests and treatment at private clinics, you don't sign up for a full IVF package, you may just need a small percentage of what they offer 🥰.
I wish you all the best in the future xxx