Unexplained Infertility. 2 years TTC

[Gtcttww86]

Hi all, my partner and I have just been diagnosed with Unexplained Infertility and I am just wondering how many of you have been given the same news and gone on to have a successful natural birth?

We are both 35 years old and unfortunately we live in an area where IVF is not currently funded (though this could potentially change) and we are unable to fund ourselves but the Gynae nurse has said this is our next step to having our own child.

She has increased my folic acid to 5mg daily (instead of over the counter 400mcg) and requested I have a smear test and further blood tests but all the tests we have had done so far show everything to be working as it should, but obviously it's not somewhere down the line!

It's not knowing that is the worst.

Thanks in advance x

@Gtcttww86 hi

I tried for 18m and then fell naturally
I know yours has been longer but it can't still happen

I'm TTC my 2nd and dying ivf as I'm 39
So it's ivf for us

We are also explained and my consultant said just because we are unexplained doesn't mean there isn't anything wrong, just that we haven't found out what exactly it is...know that's not very positive but it did make me feel better in a way. It's such a minefield

We had a cycle of ivf to get this far
We are being tested for dna fragmentation prior to cycling again so he's quite positive as dna fragmentation can be addressed

X

Thankyou xx wishing you all the best on your journey. I pray that ours happens naturally like yourself xc

Unexplained infertility is no diagnosis at all, all this means is that they have failed to find out what is wrong. Sometimes this is given to couples when they as a couple have not been adequately investigated.

What tests have been performed on both of you during the past 6 months?. Both of you should have up to date test results.

I've had amh and full bloods done (including fsh and lh) twice and I've had hycosy and two internal scans, millions of questions and my partner has had full sperm analysis

You both need more tests, your investigations have not been thorough enough. Your man needs to have repeated sperm analysis as one is not conclusive by any means. I would certainly consider seeking a second opinion from another subfertility unit in your nearest city in the event you are being seen at the local hospital. Some NHS units are far better than others and I feel you're being let down.

The most common tests that tend to be omitted are:-

Adequate x-rays of the uterus which may show abnormalities not otherwise seen at laparoscopy.

Hysteroscopy - telescope inspection of the inside of the uterus which may occasionally show abnormalities not seen otherwise

Repeated sperm counts over several weeks and months to make sure there is no subtle abnormality

Testing the sperm in special media such as swim up tests and velocity testing. However, when they are done, they often uncover a hidden cause for the supposed unexplained problem

Thorough hormone tests to detect abnormalities of male hormone or early falls in progesterone

Scanning of the ovaries to see if follicles really are developing and there are no sign of polycystic ovaries.

@AttilaTheMeerkat

You both need more tests, your investigations have not been thorough enough. Your man needs to have repeated sperm analysis as one is not conclusive by any means. I would certainly consider seeking a second opinion from another subfertility unit in your nearest city in the event you are being seen at the local hospital. Some NHS units are far better than others and I feel you're being let down.

The most common tests that tend to be omitted are:-

Adequate x-rays of the uterus which may show abnormalities not otherwise seen at laparoscopy.

Hysteroscopy - telescope inspection of the inside of the uterus which may occasionally show abnormalities not seen otherwise

Repeated sperm counts over several weeks and months to make sure there is no subtle abnormality

Testing the sperm in special media such as swim up tests and velocity testing. However, when they are done, they often uncover a hidden cause for the supposed unexplained problem

Thorough hormone tests to detect abnormalities of male hormone or early falls in progesterone

Scanning of the ovaries to see if follicles really are developing and there are no sign of polycystic ovaries.

Thanks. I shall speak to my nurse in five weeks at our next appointment and see what they say

We were unexplained after TTC for 5 years, thankfully we did get one funded round of IVF and this ledto my DD, 18 months after she was born I got pregnant naturally and DS was born 3 weeks ago. However I do think it took getting pregnant through IVF to kick-start my body into knowing what to do.
I know you've said you can't afford to self fund but given what a child costs per month (nappies, wipes, food, clothing, childcare etc) if you saved this up you'd soon be on your way to funding a round and these are all expenses that you'd have to find the money for if you became pregnant naturally.