Anyone used Benenden for fertility assistance?

[HugeAgeGap]

Hi all,

I'm just coming up to 6 months of TTC using OPKs and bbt each month and I'm nearly 35, OH 42.
Thinking of going to GP to get some initial tests, but this is child #2 after 10 year age gap so won't qualify for any NHS help. However I've heard the waiting lists are so long for help, and neither of us want the stress of that, I kinda just wanna know if this will ever be possible or not, and if it's not I'll get on with life, and if it is well carry on!

Has anyone else had Benenden assist to hurry things along rather than waiting for GP?
Thanks

The thing is, the basic tests are highly unlikely to tell you one way or the other. If an issue is found (unlikely without loads of testing, often expensive and invasive if it involves surgeries for you), it gives you an idea if you might struggle to conceive or not. There are very few tests they could run where they can say, 'you have no chance.' The best test of your fertility is ttc. And many of the tests will really only tell you how you are likely to respond to fertility treatment which is not the same as how your general fertility is...

It seems to me (and this is purely my opinion) is that if you're going to have one test, the most valuable one for info is a sperm analysis. If it comes back with zero sperm, then you know there is virtually no chance. Any other test, even with awful results, there's pretty much always a chance...

At 6 months of ttc, you're just past the point where about half of people will have conceived (if they don't have any medical issues that might preclude conception).

Fertility testing doesn't really work how the general public think it does, unfortunately...