Unexplained Infertility

[Modwolf]

Hi, I would love to know if there are any other reasons for not conceiving aside from PCOS, low sperm, irregular periods etc. I've been checked and have no problems with my uterus, Fallopian tubes, periods etc. I don't smoke or drink, I'm a healthy weight and don't eat processed foods. Friends of mine who do drink and smoke and are younger than I an, have children, which is great as I adore their children, but I really can't understand why I've never even been pregnant. What other things can I be doing to increase my chances of having a child? Thank you in advance!

[GalindawithaGa]

We were exactly the same as Toes and Fingers, years of 'unexplained' and eventually just before we started we got a diagnosis of antisperm antibodies. The relief of having a diagnosis was tremendous, although it was accompanied by the horrible realisation that we will never naturally conceive (95% antibodies).

[inamaymaybewrong]

The thing is, the IVF process is itself also diagnostic if it's unsuccessful. My Drs would only do additional tests if first round IVF was unsuccessful.

[Osirus]

It's the same for us - no idea apart from ever so slightly high testosterone (me - no PCOS) and my DP has very slight low motility. Nothing glaringly obvious apparently and by all accounts should be able to conceive unassisted.

Also, I've only had blood tests and one scan to check for PCOS and are about to start IVF. They didn't see the point in doing further tests, as we've been trying for a while.

[HawkeyeInChaos]

For me it was immune system issues. I went on an immune suppression regime (aspirin, prednisolone and clexane) as part of my ivf treatment and got my BFP.

Hope you get your success soon modwolf.

[inamaymaybewrong]

Tootsie, I had only a fraction of the tests you've had before we were referred for NHS IVF. All our tests were normal too. I also had a lap and dye operation. Any reason why you haven't moved to IVF sooner?

[Chocolateonlymilk01]

Hi Modwolf, just joined as going insane, same problem as you. Any progress?

[Tootsiepops]

Hi Modwolf,

We're unexplained too. V frustrating. I had standard fertility tests on the NHS which were all fine, and then I had some more tests privately which were also all fine. The only thing the private tests picked is that I was vitamin D deficient.

I paid for an ovarian reserve test (AMH and follicular count), an HSG to check my tubes, a 3D scan of my uterus, an endometrial biopsy, antibodies bloods, vitamin D bloods, full blood count and a thrombophilia screen to check to see if I was prone to clotting.

My husband had karotyping tests done too - we're still waiting on those results.

There are more tests I could have done (and I am tempted out of sheer frustration because not knowing is driving me CRAZY), but it's not going to change anything really - the outcome will still likely be that we need ivf - so I'm trying to let it go.

[ToesAndFingersCrossed]

Hi,

We were 'diagnosed' with unexplained for about a year before we finally got a diagnosis - DH has anti sperm antibodies which prevented fertilisation. This isn't tested for in the initial sperm analysis so we only found out when we were just about to start IVF. We had ICSI and currently have 11 lovely embryos sitting in an incubator, squabbling over who gets put back in me on Wednesday!

[victoria401]

Hiya, I take it your partner has been checked out too and his sperm are fine?

I believe a third of subfertile couples are unexplained and its probably more frustrating than having a diagnosis. There are immune or genetic reasons for not conceiving and from, what I've read on here, I think you can pay for tests for some of these reasons privately.

Are you in the UK? Have you been referred to a fertility clinic by your GP? Do you know if you're entitled to any iui or ivf rounds on the nhs or can you pay privately?

I'm sure there are other ladies who can go into more details about unexplained infertility x