Hoping you ladies can help

[Lauren656]

So bit of backstory, married for a few years, my husband has children, I don’t, been trying to conceive for the last year and a half. I had my implant out in September 2019 and have no period since then not even a little bleed. I had to eventually do my own investigations after a year of no period as my GP wasn’t doing anything, so paid for a blood test which indicated PCOS, I then paid for a scan which they told me that I had polycystic ovaries. I went to the GP for help along with the blood results and scans, back in December 2020 (after a year and 3 months trying) they got me in for a blood test straight away, and a smear. Didn’t hear anything back till a few weeks ago, was officially diagnosed with PCOS (they lost my blood results apparently and found them again but never mind) my pituitary gland levels are off, the doctor said I would have to have a blood test again in 3 months time and have said that they will do me a referral letter for a fertility clinic and that’s it, they won’t refer me for treatment with NHS as my husband has children (which I kind of gathered would be an issue) but thought I would at least be offered clomid/metaformin like I see so many women on here offered.

My issue is all the fertility clinics round me only offer IUI or IVF and no mention of any other options(I know there isn’t many) I contacted a few who want £400 just to see me which I definitely can’t afford at the minute, I thought that I could at least try the likes of clomid before then, but my GP didn’t even mention it or really give me any help what so ever really so I’m confused and have no idea what to do. I know i’m probably not eligible for any other help but feeling a bit shit about it all to be honest as can’t afford IVF and probably won’t be able to afford it any time in the near future.

Where do I go from here? Just accept that children are probably unlikely for me?

Sorry to hear this, it's a really frustrating situation. I was also not eligible for nhs treatment as I have low AMH, I know how much it sucks. I found a private consultant who has her own practice that's attached to a larger clinic, she was able to prescribe me Clomid and we did a few cycles of Clomid and timed intercourse before we moved forward to IUI with the clinic. She's based in London, can share her info if that's close enough for you?

London’s probably a bit too far out for me but please send it over just in case I can make that an option 😁

Thankyou so much!

Clomid doesn't come from your gp as you should be monitored on it. Basically you need that referral to the infertility clinic.

There may be some of their treatment options (in your case ovulation induction) listed in the guidance for your ccg? All the guidance on fertility treatment by ccg can be accessed on the fertility fairness website.

@physicskate

Clomid doesn't come from your gp as you should be monitored on it. Basically you need that referral to the infertility clinic.

There may be some of their treatment options (in your case ovulation induction) listed in the guidance for your ccg? All the guidance on fertility treatment by ccg can be accessed on the fertility fairness website.

Yeah I’d have thought they could have referred me through the NHS for clomid but apparently not, not willing to, I can’t find anything in the CCG guidance about it.

Does the ccg guidance say no referral at all if one partner has a child?

@physicskate

Does the ccg guidance say no referral at all if one partner has a child?

Just mentions for IVF/ICSI doesn’t say anything else and says no referral at all, says under parental status that there should be no living children from the couples current or any previous relationships or any adopted children.

So then it appears you have two choices if your ccg does not refer for infertility if one partner has a child (at least, I think that's what you've said?): private or move to an area with a ccg that will refer you if one partner has a child...