fertility tests - please tell me what to do next

[beaniesteve]

Hiya

I am 38 and have been trying to get pregnant since around last October. My Doctor had to take some blood for another reason so did several hormone tests a few months ago and then I had a 21 day test but was taken on the wrong day as my cycle is short (24 days) and it was booked in too late. I need to go back to have the 21 day test done again but am hoping to book an appointment to discuss what's next for me and my BF.

Basically I need advice on what to expect, what to ask for, how the Doctor goes about it all... Do I need to arm myself with a load of information and requests? I always know what I want to say when I go to the Doctor but always seem to say none of it when I am there. I don't want to be fobbed off basically.

Any advice?

bump

just wondering, if you live in london or close to london, there are clinics that can help you.

i have no experience in this area though. good luck!

I'm in Wales, Cardiff.

My doctor has been quite sympathetic and has told me I am not too old etc and not to worry but after 8 months and having used a fertility monitor for the last couple I am starting to slightly stress again now.

I can't afford to go private.

You've only been trying to get PG for about 7 months and that's not that long in someone over 35.

What were the results of the hormone tests you did have done? The day 21 test only tells you about progesterone but you also need to know about FSH, LH and E2 as well as they all paint a picture.

You're still under 40 and, therefore, entitled to NHS treatment provided you have a healthy BMI

All my tests were fine apart from the 21 day test which I need to have again.

I know I am ovulating and I know I am having sex at the right time. So I am guessing either there's nothing wrong and we just keep trying OR there's something wrong with one of us. So it seems like the most sensible thing would be to both go for tests. We are at different Doctors surgeries though.

I just don't want to wait and wait as I am 38 and it does mean I am going to have more difficulty.

I am ahealthy weight but I have had a stressful year (getting over splitting with an ex, moving house in 2007)and so maybe I just need to find ways to relax.

I'm not well off though so things like reflexology and accupuncture are out of my budget.

Can you really get fertility treatment on the NHS if you are nearing 40?

I have a slightly warped view here, as we do have fertility problems, but I think that you're right to push on with the tests. Getting tested, seeing a specialist and deciding on treatment can all take time, and it's a good idea to start now so that you don't have to worry about getting close to 40 as all that progresses. Of course, you might well both be fine, and just unlucky, but then you can relax and enjoy the process, so that would be good too!

Definitely get your DP checked out too, as half of all fertility problems are male factor. If your DP goes to his GP, the GP should arrange for a sperm analysis once he knows your age and that you've been TTC for over 6 months.

It's all a bit scary. My OH is happy to go so I will just encourage him to do so. I am having a scan at the end of the month because I have a swollen node in my groin area and so I'm wondering if I could ask them to do a thorough scan to check things over as much as they can. Can I do that when I get there I wonder - I had to wait three months to get this scan and I guess it would be worthwhile having it all checked out at the same time.

thanks for all the advice btw

The most useful abdominal ultrasound scan is just after your LH surge (the one that you test with ovulation kits) as then they can check to see that you have actually ovulated and also check the thickness of the lining of the uterus, to make sure that it is sufficient to support an embryo.

I'm not sure what else they would look for, to be honest. The best abdominal test at your early stage is an HSG. That's the test where they inject dye (iodine in my case) into the cervix and do X-ray analysis to make sure that the Fallopian tubes aren't blocked and that the uterus has normal anatomy.

It is scary but there are a lot of us on here who have come through some horrible diagnoses and come out the other side (I have a DD and I'm PG again now). And like I said, there is nothing to say that you haven't just been unlucky this past 7 months.

Thanks Tittlemouse

I think because I got my period I am just obsessing all over again. My scan is on day 14 of my cycle (though that wasn't planned) and I ovulated last month on about day 15/16 so maybe it will be around the right time.