Start of fertility testing

[Peonies94]

Anyone else at the start of fertility testing? I’ve had my first bloods and had husband is waiting for his SA. My bloods weren’t done on any particular day of the cycle, and I have no idea what rhey were looking for. I phoned for results and have been told the gp hasn’t looked at them yet, but there’s no ‘red’. I’m assuming they won’t be looking at ovulation, which I am pretty certain I’m not ovulating, as I’m only having around 3 periods a month. Currently 3 months since last period. If anyone else is around the same place in the process or could help me with what they may be testing, that would be really helpful! Thank you

Had my scan, was told nothing of any concern but I’ll have them officially from my GP in 2 weeks! Will probably follow with either further tests, or be told to try again for another year and come back! On better news- my cycle was 30 days (compared to 90 last cycle) fingers crossed for another short one next cycle!!

How are you all getting on ladies? I had my scan and nothing of too much concern snd I had a cycle of 33 days last month! I was so happy after my previous 90 days! Hoping for another short cycle this month 🤞! I have a gynaecology appointment next week, but it’s virtual due to covid! Seems strange, not sure exactly what it’ll involve! Hope everyone else Is doing well!

@Peonies94 great news about your scan being clear and fingers crossed for you on the shorter cycles, long may it continue :) .

I had my first fertility appointment last week, also on the phone. Iv been formally diagnosed with PCOS which I was expecting They want to start me on letrozle as dr thinks I’m not ovulating despite getting regular positives on tests but they can be unreliable with PCOS. I’m a bit deflated with it all but it’s one step to getting some treatment I guess I do have to have the HSG before they start anything. which I am dreading and also some day 2 bloods. I don’t know what they check for on those I had the day 21 tests and they were all alright apparently. But it will hopefully be clear and give me some comfort it’s only the PCOS that’s stopping us from conceiving. I’d be interested to know what your appointment entails as it’s over the phone, maybe they will refer you for further investigation or tests if they think you need it. Has anyone else here had the HSG? Is it as bad as people say?

@Loulou2202 yes I am wondering what it may involve too! Sorry to hear that, although hopefully now you’ve had a diagnosis you should be able to given the appropriate treatment etc! Good luck! I haven’t had an HSG but I’ve heard mixed things about it online on here! Im a baby, but lots of people just find it uncomfortable rather than painful! Wishing you all the best though!!

Hi@Loulou2202 - what sort of things did they ask you in your phone appointment. I've been scheduled for one at the end of July but I'm hoping it will be moved forward.

I'm on a group for 9 months + conception and 3 of the girls have recently had a HSG. 2/3 found it to be fine, 1 found it very painful. It seems to be very different for everyone. You're recommended to take paracetamol before you go in for it. I've also read you can request to be sedated. 2 of those 3 girls got their BFP after having the HSG. Both around the 12/14 month of TTC.

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I was worried i was going to have to plead for the HSG and push for next steps but the Dr was quite good, he asked me basic stuff weight and my health history, how
long we had been trying etc he went through blood results for me and partner which were both ok apart from my slightly high AMH ( pcos) and that was it really, he said my case was mild and only on one side and then recommended the tablets. He recommend some supplements , most of which I’m already taking. He said the HSG wasn’t strictly necessary as we had conceived before but would have it as a precaution before starting and that was it really. He didn’t go into much more about the treatment just told me to phone them when I had booked the hsg but I have no idea what the wait will be for that I am hoping it’s not months now I kind of know we probably won’t get anywhere with assistance. I have heard a lot about people conceiving after so I’m hopeful that might happen for me! Iv read mixed things but I know it’s us to be done so am just going to have to wait and see how it goes for me.

Ok thanks @Loulou2202 - that is interesting.

I know privately they are between £400-500 incase the wait is too agonising. Good luck! X

I paid for a private hsg cost me just over £500 but it was peace of mind after months of waiting due to pandemic. I then had a laparoscopy 2 months later and the dye test performed again and both times tubes were clear . Hsg for me was fine I was understandably petrified but it was much much less worrying and painful than I thought .

@Pinklady81 thanks for sharing. For me it will be worth it for peace of mind. Can I ask why you had a laparoscopy if your HSG was clear if you don’t mind? I’m just wondering if that’s standard in investigations. Il keep updated on here if anyone is interested in how it goes

I have severe endometriosis which I suspected not paid for the test while I was waiting for my operation

Ah I see, sorry to hear that, I hope the laproscopy helped with that for you x

No unfortunately not starting ivf this week 🤞

I'm glad you had a shorter cycle @Peonies94!

What is a HSG? Is that where they check the tubes?

My metformin and supplements seem to be doing SOMETHING in that I had 6 days of spotting (not sure whether to class it as a super light period at that point?) and my LH is rising! My baseline is around 0.1-0.3 on the premom app that analyses the strips and today it was 0.4

@Endogal, yes that’s right , they put some dye through to check for blockages on an X-ray. I have mine tomorrow , can’t say I’m looking forward to it

@Peonies94 have you had your appointment yet? How did you get on ?

@Pinklady81, sending lots of hope your way!

@Loulou2202 basically told me to wait another 6 months and see what happens as one of my cycles was short, this looks like a long one again though!!

How did it go @loulou2202? Hopefully it won't be too long a cycle @Peonies94, what cycle day are you on now?

I've been given the go ahead to up my metformin dose and do so again in a week if I'm OK side effect wise... Having another light bleed but this time I have cramps and it is slightly heavier than my last light six day bleed... Still not convinced its a period though when I compare it to my usual ones but I suppose its waiting to see if I ovulate at all afterwards. Got my letter through for fertility clinic and they have to contact me by April 21st... Feels so long away!!

I've had a call with my GP this morning and we've finally been referred to a fertility unit. When I asked how long the wait would be he laughed at me and said it'll be "quite some time". I'm terrified of how long it'll take and just want to leave this country and move home

@Endogal cycle day 24, so sign of ovulation yet!🤦🏻‍♀️ So frustrating, was hopeful after last months ‘normal’ cycle!

@Omgdnswv I'm so sorry you were laughed at like that, how insensitive :( by the sounds of it some doctors see it as any other referral, not taking into account the heartbreak that has lead to it.

@Peonies94 how frustrating when that's literally the reason youve been told to wait 6 more months :( hopefully it's not too long before you ovulate, even if they shorten to 40 or so days at least you can feel like you've had a few attempts in those 6 months

@Endogal, thanks for asking , it’s wasn’t good news. I have to wait for my results to be sent to my clinic but the doctor who did the scan said it looks like I have blocked tubes, she gave me the sympathy face when she said it and she really didn’t want to say anymore, which is the worst possible outcome for me. To be honest Iv been a bit of a state since yesterday I know I need to wait for a proper discussion but Iv done my research and I know it’s not looking good. The PCOs I felt I could handle but this has pretty much devastated me. The procedure itself was unpleasant to say the least and I’m still uncomfortable today. I have to wait a month to speak to my doctor which is frustrating. Not a happy or hopeful girl at the moment I’m afraid :( . I know april feels ages away but it will go quickly and things tend to move a bit quicker once you’ve had your first appointment
@Omgdnswv , hopefully it’s not too long for you to wait, you can always try for cancellations too if you find the wait too much, you could get lucky . Sorry for the long update, it feels like such a big old waiting game this ttc thing x

@Endogal I know! When she said ‘your cycles are normal now so’ I said well I just had one normal cycle, hardly means they’ve returned to normal!🤷‍♀️

@Peonies94 God that's annoying, when I read my partners SA to my GP he pretty much tried to end the call saying that, if his sperm is below the threshold then there's nothing he can do and it's all on the side of my partners GP. Had to ask him how better sperm is supposed to get me pregnant when I dont even seem to ovulate and that's when he said he'd refer us

I am so sorry to hear that @loulou2202, sending virtual hugs I can't even imagine what you must be going through waiting for your review appointment, I'm keeping everything crossed there are some next steps you'll be able to take. I totally understand what you mean about being able to deal with PCOS but not that.

@Omgdnswv gps are useless in this front aren’t they! I’m going to phone back next month and tell them! I basically said to gynae that my cycles had been 50 days, 80 days, 47, 90, 30. And she said oh went to 30, they’re back to normal! Well hardly!🤦🏻‍♀️ So this cycle now, I’m 13 days into testing, think I’m going to give up! Wishing you all the luck though! So nice to have support on here, it’s just such a difficult time isn’t it! I’m feeling particularly deflated today! Just feel so hopeless!

My face to face appointment for the 11th got cancelled and replaced with a phone call today. The fertility specialist was pretty peeved that the doctor referred me without doing any of the initial tests, so I'm finally being sent for bloods and an abdominal scan, with another consultation in 3 months time. It'll be over 3 years since I gave up contraceptives by then, which just seems so disheartening, but I'm trying to see the positive. From what the specialist said, I'll need to lose a bit of weight if treatment is needed, so I suppose it's time to start a diet too! One more thing to worry about!
Hoping everyone else is having a better week! :)