Possible secondary infertility - what next?

[Mellp]

Hi. DH and I have been TTC#2 for almost 18 months now with no luck. Been to see GP, DH SA came back normal, as did my day21 bloods. GP informed me that this is as far as we can go on the NHS as we already have a child, which i completely understand.
My question is, if there is an issue, what else could it be? Is it worth going down the private route for more tests and if so, how do I go about doing this?
Thanks for any help

Mellp - we’re also in the secondary infertility boat so solidarity. We ended up going down the private route, not least as our NHS SA results indicated possible MFI and we were refused a fertility clinic referral (on the NHS) to discuss these.

In terms of researching private clinics, the HFEA have stats on IVF success rates and the Fertility Friends website typically has some comprehensive reviews.

We first had a private appointment 9 months into ttc #2. I’m now 36, and one thing they were very keen to do was to check my AMH/ antral follicle count to see whether the clock was really ticking in terms of my ovarian reserve. It wasn’t and I’ve never felt pressurised by the clinic into going down the fertility treatment route.

We’re now 20 months into ttc#2 and on Cycle 24 without even a hint of a BFP and I finally feel ready to start IVF/ ICSI.

Initial consultations aren’t typically enormously expensive (at least when you compare these to the cost of IVF), so if I was you I’d definitely be tempted to get the ball rolling on this front.

Just to add that if you can make it work with your lifestyle, many of those on here have had superb results going abroad for fertility treatment (where it’s typically much cheaper), so that might definitely be worth thinking about if cost is an issue.

To answer your first question - I think there may be merit in having your AMH etc. tested. You might also want to consider an internal exam/ HyCoSY to check your tubes etc. are still clear and that you don’t have fibroids/ cysts that could be causing issues. Ultimately, however, frustrating though it sounds, you might never get to the bottom of why you’re in this boat - there’s so much that isn’t understood about fertility...

Despite our MFI diagnosis, our clinic has always been optimistic that we’ll manage it naturally, because on paper there’s no reason we shouldn’t (and we already have a child which proves that 3/4 years ago, it worked)...

How old are you?

Thanks so much for getting back to me.
I'm 26, DH is 27. We both have healthy BMI, don't drink to excess, don't smoke, and conceived DD after 5 months of TTC so really didn't expect this!
So with regards to going private, is it just a case of researching clinics and giving them a call? Will they repeat the tests that have already been done? And what was the timeframe like for you, from making the appointment and getting the tests and results back etc? At the moment, I'm not sure if I'd want any treatment but that said, if I found out there was an issue, I may completely change my mind.
Sorry for all of the questions!

Yes - it is just a case of researching clinics and giving them a call.

Our clinic wanted to repeat my bloods as they wanted the Oestradiol results alongside the FSH/ LH on day 3. They’ll probably also want your thyroid levels to be checked if that hasn’t been done already. They should be able to refer you back to the NHS for these tests (so that you don’t have to pay).

You will generally need to pay for AMH and any scan to look at your antral follicle count.

Okay that's great. Thanks for your help.
Think I will get researching clinics and get the ball rolling. If not I'll just be wondering 'what if'. Thanks again

I had the same issue OP,we took our nhs results to a private clinic, I think they did a couple of other blood tests and (another) pelvic ultrasound but didn't find a cause, they said unexplained infertility or blocked tubes but no point testing for blocked tubes because the recommendation for either would be ivf, I'm now pregnant from our first round! Best of luck to you.

@OtherUsername thanks for the info. So pleased it worked for you. Did you already have a child? I've contacted a local clinic so just waiting to hear back from them. It just all seems so expensive but I guess you can't really put a price on something you want so desperately!

Yes 1st dc conceived naturally, not sure what changed! Although it was expensive it wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be price wise.

I'm the same, no idea why we're struggling now!
I do feel oddly relieved now I've made the decision to go private. Feel like I'm finally taking control in a situation where I have no control!
I guess it's worth every penny if it works, I'm just hesitant to spend so much money on treatment for it not to work. I know I should be more optimistic, but it's hard!