When to turn to IVF

[bumphope2020]

At what point have others decided to go down the IVF route? Particularly those with unexplained infertility.

I'm almost 2 years into this journey and starting to wonder if it should become a serious consideration.

Hi @bumphope2020 I think there are a lot of factors to consider the main one being age.

If you don't have children then you may be able to get IVF on the NHS give the time you've been trying. I would certainly say that you should at least explore initial infertility investigations at the point you're at.

I started trying in October 2019 at age 34. It was very clear that it wasn't going to happen. I have regular cycles, timed it perfectly each month and I never got a BFP. I went to my gp when I was about to turn 35: my day 3 and day 21 bloods were normal, my AMH was good and my husbands sperm had good numbers. I then saw a fertility clinic where I was told a US looked fine, it wasn't, I had thin lining which was missed. Anyway I was given the option of trying naturally for longer or paying privately for IVF. I went with the IVF because I knew something was wrong and it wouldn't happen naturally. Through further investigations we've found some issues and the hope is I'll be successful soon. I'm glad I turned to IVF when I did, I would have wasted many more months at the expense of my health had things not worked out as they did.

Hi @Gardenlady543 . That's very interesting to read. I've had all investigations and both husband and I supposedly have no issues. I'm 29 and have to wait 3 years for NHS funded IVF which just seems so long.
I'm terrified of turning to IVF but I think I'll start researching clinics.
If you don't mind me asking, how many months were you trying before starting IVF?

@bumphope2020 I was TTC for 12 months at the point of starting IVF.

Have you had an ultrasound scan? That's often the last bit of the work up that the GP may not do. Also the AMH is often done in fertility clinics. It might be a plan to get all the results you've had together and pay a private clinic for the ultrasound and have a consultation with a specialist. They may well say time is on your side so keep trying naturally until the 3 year referral point. Of course if you wanted to pay privately for treatment they will likely support you with that too.

Hi @bumphope2020. I went to the doctor after trying for 1 year aged 31. Blood tests and DH SA came back fine. I was able to be referred at that point for NhS but due to waiting lists went Private at that point as didn’t want to wait. Bar a scan and some more bloods no other investigations were completed and we just went ahead - I’m very impatient so didn’t want to wait - my thought process was that if nothing had happened naturally in a year - then it was unlikely too and I didn’t want to wait. Any tests completed were normal so we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. The consultant basically said they could do more investigations but ivf would likely be the same answer so we decided to skip them. I think they could gauge we didn’t want to waste any more time even though we were considered young.

Hey @bumphope2020, I echo everything said I'm this chat already. I am 30 and husband is 31. We have been TTC for 15 months now, my cycles are regular, tracked ovulation perfectly timed intercourse from the beginning and nothing! So as PP said if nothing is happening at this point it isn't going to happen. Same with investigations, we had bloods and scans everything fine and we are classified as unexplained, they could do more but outcome is exactly the same - IVF so proceeded with that as it doesn't change anything.

NHS want to do a lap survey and HSG ahead of referral and I don't entirely feel comfortable having a surgery when they have given me no reason for it other than to be extra sure nothing else is going on. Have to chat to the consultant again next week.

I've started my first round privately because I'm impatient and honestly after 15 months another second was too long. I say don't worry about whether or not you have or have not tried "long enough" only you know if it is is or isn't. Also don't be scared of IVF I'm on day 4 so haven't had the procedures but injections are fine, no side effects so far for me but they could come.

Most people say retrieval is not so bad. I hear a lot of people say they which they had started sooner and I think that says it all. Even my NHS consultant and private consultant both said you could keep trying because nothing is wrong but the question then is how long?

Hi All,
So glad I posted now. This thread has made me realise I'm not being silly and jumping the gun. Doctors keep telling me im young, not to worry just keep trying etc, but also at the same time say really at my age they would of expected a BFP within 3-6 months. I've had all investigations privately, including laparoscopy so just feel like I'm waiting for someone to say yes IVF is the next step. @Hoping4baby21 the lap wasn't pleasant but I think it was important to rule out severe endometriosis as that could impact fertility and the success of IVF.

@bumphope2020 yes I have no symptoms of endo so would be surprised, if just personally prefer not to have it unless that can tell me something that makes it seem justified at this stage. But I do understand it is the absolute best way to rule everything out.

Glad it helped you feel better. Unexplained is so annoying especially when you do all those tests and they still don't have answers.

@bumphope2020 it sounds like you've made your decision :) I don't think IVF is a huge step. For me it was that I needed to do something different, because I couldn't face the same BFN every month. At your age you should have a good outcome and have frosties left over. Which will take a lot of pressure off for the future if you want more than 1 child.

As others have said age is a big factor. We’re heading towards 2 year Mark fast and are going to start in the next few months. I’m about to turn 38. If I was 10 years or 5 years younger my decision might not be the same.

We have a three year policy too @bumphope2020. It’s far too long when you’re my age.

The short answer is 2 years, simply because this is the NHS requirement in my area.

I’m 33 and we’ve been trying to conceive for around 20 months. We approached our GP after a year who ran bloods and referred to the fertility clinic. My results showed high prolactin and this led to diagnosis of a Prolactinoma.

Alongside treatment for that and sub clinical hypothyroidism under an endocrinologist, we’ve had the usual fertility investigations. Sperm okay, ultrasound okay but lower than average follicle count, AMH test results low but within range. In our latest conversation with the consultant we were offered three options: do nothing and continue TTC naturally, have further investigations or proceed to IVF.

We’ve decided to complete natural cycle follicle tracking this month and then I have a HyCoSy booked in late June. After that we’ll be able to make an informed decision between stimulated IUI or straight to IVF.

Could a private IUI cycle be the right thing for you? It’s much cheaper than IVF but does have a lower success rate.