Frustration after 3 different pieces of advice from 3 doctors around fertility

[Cokerwolf]

Hi,

I was on the depo injection for 10 years as it was the only thing that could control my PCOS. October 2017 my husband and I decided that I would come off the depo and we would start trying to conceive.

April 2017 I registered with a new doctors surgery, whilst chatting we discussed the fact my husband and I would be looking to start a family soon. The doctor said well once you’ve been off the depo for 3 months come back in to see me if nothing has happened. He explained that as they knew my history with PCOS and long term use of depo it wouldn’t be necessary to wait the usual period of time to start doing tests as they already knew what was ‘wrong’ with me.

So 3 months after finishing depo I go back to see my doctor, he is now on long term sick so I saw a different doctor. I was advised that it was too soon and to come back in another 3 months where I would then be given a series of blood tests and my husband would have to come in for tests too.

Well today another 3 months has past. I saw yet another doctor at the same surgery only to be told that regardless of what I have been told previously I have no choice but to wait for the full 12 month of trying mark. I expressed my frustration not necessarily at having to wait but to be constantly told different advice.

To say I feel deflated is an understatement. Has anyone else had this? I feel like our journey to conception is a total lottery depending on what doctor sees me at the time.

I'm sorry for your frustration. The docs will just be following their ccg guidelines, which you can look up online as well on fertility fairness.

I was told after 12 months to come back after another 12. It's frustrating.

At this point, you don't actually know you're infertile, which is described as 12 months or longer of ttc without conceiving.

Do you get periods?

physicskate

No I don’t get periods, I haven’t had one in about 10 years since I started the depo injection.

I hope I don’t need to wait another 12 months once October comes around.

How old are you? It can be less time if over 35. It also depends on what, if any treatment you need. It is usually 2 years before IVF, but you might only need Clomid to get you ovulating which you might get sooner. It is really frustrating to get different advice from different doctors. Good luck.

If you haven't had a period since coming off depo, you might try approaching it from the periods perspective instead of a purely tc perspective. They would probably at least give you norestherone (sp?) to make you have a bleed.

Yes I first approached the appointment with the doctor today from a periods perspective thinking it may help but she was adamant in her response that whether tc or periods I needed to wait.

I have made an appointment with the doctor I saw 3 months ago to see what they say. Worse case they tell me the same news and then I just need to be patient. I know I haven’t waited anywhere near as long as some people but I would just like a clearer and fairer plan of action.

No I don’t get periods, I haven’t had one in about 10 years since I started the depo injection.

I’m sorry for your frustration with the shifting goal posts.

The depo often stops periods though so you can’t read anything into the fact that you didn’t have a period for 10 years while you were on it.

Unfortunately it can also take up to a year for your periods and for fertility to return to normal after stopping the depo so the advice you were given today is correct. Although the advice you were given today is probably the most frustrating to hear as it’s to do nothing (other than wait), this is probably the most correct advice you’ve been given and the doctor you saw today seems to be the the most knowledgeable of the 3 on contraception and fertility issues.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/contraceptive-injection/ (see the bit under advantages and disadvantages).

What’s more important regarding your periods is what they were like before you were on the depo or any other type of hormonal contraception as all of these can affect your cycle.

Hi @Cokerwolf

I think you're in a slightly grey area - it can take 9 months for fertility to return after the depo - I would hope they'd have warned you of this as this may be effecting your periods.

However NICE guidelines are if you have a known problem with fertility (PCOS I think should be included in this) you can have fertility investigations after 6 months regardless of age and are eligible for early referral. I also think if you're not having periods you're entitled to be investigated.

If I were you have a look at NICE guidelines, CKS guidelines and your local CCG guidelines and go to the gp with evidence which forces them to take you seriously and investigate.

I was told my fsh was normal and found an article saying it wasn't and that it was so high I should be referred early. I felt like a bitch emailing the article to the gp but I was referred that day and listed for ICSI within the next month and started it shortly after! GP initially told me to go away for a further 3 months- so it works to do your research! GPs have to knows bit about everything and unfortunately just can't know all guidelines and conditions in complete detail x

Hi @hoping2018

I think that’s what is so confusing, having been diagnosed with PCOS for 11 years I have done so much research and was sure it was 6 months which in my case had already past.

Thank you so much for your response. I have booked another appointment to see the doctor who told me to come back in June (now) and in the meantime will investigate the CCG’s guidelines so I can go back well equipt.

x

Where is the “best clinic” keley?