Frustrated with waiting

[Toomanydogs]

My SO and I (both age 26) are suffering with secondary infertility. We have been TTC for almost 2.5 years now, and went to our GP in March 2020, and since then have had a few blood/ semen tests done which came back as normal. Apparently we were referred in November, and I understand with Covid putting a stress on the NHS that things are moving slowly, but this just seems to be dragging on so long. I know we won't be entitled to IVF funding, but I'd at least like some more in depth tests done before deciding to call it quits. Is this a normal length of time to have to wait between seeing GP and getting an appointment for referral? Private isn't an option for us.

Yes sounds normal. Most NHS fertility clinics have closed/reassigned staff at the moment. Even pre covid wait times could be several weeks so November to January mid pandemic isn't that long

Just be reasonable with your expectations....you've likely had all the tests they will offer you - eg sperm test, progesterone levels to check ovulation etc - that's about as in-depth as it gets????? - if you can't/won't pay for IVF privately there isn't much the NHS can and will offer you

They should probably do a hycosy as well to check your tubes are okay but that's more or less it in terms of tests if you are ovulating and his sperm is okay. I'd suggest at your next appointment asking the doctor if there is a treatment plan either on the NHS or private. There might not be much on the NHS with it being secondary but at least then you'll know where you stand.

I had a C- section with my daughter and have symptoms which do point to a c section scar defect (ithsmocele), which is very treatable- if it is that- so just would like a bit more testing to either confirm or rule that out really. I mentioned it to my GP but they just said to speak to the clinic about it when referral happens.

Pre Covid we were referred in Oct 2019 and had fertility appointment in Jan 2020

It's different in different areas of course but it's pretty normal. So so much waiting in this journey. We're starting our first IVF cycle at the beginning of February this year so that shows how much waiting we did! That was obviously including Covid delays but the normal waiting times too.

Are there any private clinics you can go to so they can check over? The NHS are a bit overwhelmed in areas and some clinics have their staff deployed and are currently cancelling IVF treatment again. Check the website of the clinic you would be referred to and see if there are any updates on where they are currently at.

Wishing you lots of luck! I know the waiting game too well and we haven't started yet so I know how you feel.

@Toomanydogs

I had a c section with my DD and suffered awful secondary infertility afterwards - we were getting pregnant but had miscarriages and ultimately ectopics caused by scar tissue from the c section which meant my tubes were damaged - eventually had to have them removed and had to for private for IVF as other than being offered a HSG scan of the tubes NHS wouldn't do anything else.

Thanks for the replies. The clinic i think I'll be referred to does private too, so I may contact them to see if we can get seen earlier for more testing privately.
@ivfbeenbusy so sorry to hear that, I'm hoping that if it is a scar defect that my tubes are okay and they can perform a repair as apparently it has good success rates, but will have to wait and see if it actually is that first!