NHS Experience with fertility

[Cleo90]

Hi,

I'm just wondering what other problem have experienced with the NHS in regards to fertility issues?

I'm 31, have been TTC for 16months. I've had a couple of bloods tests to check hormones and all seem good. Husband (36) has also given sample and results seemed off to us but GP said they were fine.

After those initial tests we haven't been given any further advice like how long to wait before approaching the GP again etc.

Don't have any family or friends that have had similar experiences so would love to hear people's experiences

Xxx

Really should have proof read that 🙈

From initial appointment to being referred for IVF was 18 long painful months.

I am now pregnant after our second go which was all covered by the NHS as I'm so grateful for but we were put down as "unexplained" which as they couldn't find anything wrong.

I'm 35 and partner and I have been TTC for around 15 months. We went to the GP after 12 months - separate appointments. I had bloods (full blood count, iron, HBA1c and thyroid) which were all fine. Partner awaiting appointment for sperm analysis.
Basically the GP seemed pretty chill and said come back if it still hasn't happened after 2 years TTC.

If you can't afford IVF yourself I strongly advise not to wait and go get in the system now as the wait is soooo long.

I really don't mean to sound negative but the NHS aren't in a rush as they have such a huge list of patients to get through and more serious gyney cases will always and naturally go to the top of the list.

My heart goes out to you all struggling- it's a painful and frustrating place to be. But honestly don't be patient- push for next steps now!

Thank you everyone. The responses so far are just so reassuring. I appreciate that so many people go through this but I have little support network let alone those with similar experiences.

I'll reach out to the GP again and see if we can get the ball rolling. They were fairly quick in getting the initial tests completed without me having to push so fingers crossed they'll refer us. We just felt a little lost after the results came back as they gave us the analysis and there was no further advice for how long to wait again etc. I should have asked but always find myself remembering these things after the phone call 🤦🏻‍♀️

I would be firm and push your GP as even with a semen analysis that a private consultant then told us would warrant a IVF/ICSI referral straight away our GP just said to keep trying. Ring and tell them that as you’ve been trying for over a year you’re entitled to a fertility referral.

I’m in Northern Ireland and the waiting lists to see a gynae here are so long that I had to see one privately to get him to do the referral even though we have male factor as our GP was so clueless about fertility.

I found the NHS very laid back and can't imagine my GP would have got back in touch with me after my tests unless I had called up.

We went after 12 months of trying and were told all results were fine except sperm count a bit down (DH had recently had covid) so the sperm analysis was repeated 3 months later.

As I'm hugely inpatient (and felt my fertility clock ticking) I then went private where within 2 months I'd had a consult with a specialist, ultrasound scan, HSG (all fine) and was put on clomid.

Total cost about £800 or so.

Fell pregnant 2 months later :)

Definitely don’t wait speak to a different doctor and get them to start ivf ball rolling I’m 36 I’ve been ttc 3/4months had all tests and scans done and using clear blue ovulation tests but all over the place at the moment I’m using a donor so can’t just do the deed every day

Hi,

My experience has been good so far, thankfully. We have also been ttc for about 18 months now. I am 31. I came off the pill not long before we started ttc, I have only ever had brown periods which I found strange, no other symptoms to think anything wrong.

I got in touch with my doctor for the first time in February – they ran numerous blood tests to check hormones / that I have ovulated. Hormones seemed to be ok. Looks like I hadn’t ovulated. Husbands sample results all good.

We then had a joint call with the doctor who referred us to the NHS gynaecology/fertility department, this happened around mid-April. I am based in Essex and got told that consultation with gynaecology/fertility department has a 1 year waitlist, they asked if I would be willing to travel (I was willing to travel anywhere!). They referred me to Kent. I then had my first appointment at the end of May. The lady talked through medical history, previous periods etc. On the day I had a chlamydia test and an AMH blood test (result was 13.4 so relatively low). She also referred me for an ultrasound and a HyCoSy.

Mid June I had my ultrasound/ hycosy appointment. The lady firstly did the ultrasound and spotted cysts on my tubes.ovary/fluid. She decided not to do the hycosy and refer me straight to have a laparoscopy, hysterscopy and hycosy (all done under general anesthetic) – I am having this on Monday. I was told it would I was marked as urgent so rather than a 16 week wait I would be seen within 8 weeks from my pre op assessment. Its been a total of 11 weeks since my appointment when they referred me (there was a 6 week wait for the pre op assessment).

I hope this helps, I would really keep on pushing your GP for a referral. They should offer you an ultrasound/ hycosy just to check everything is all ok and functioning as it should.

It is a tough journey, always here if you fancy a chat.

x