Anyone had fertility assessment or treatment refused due to history of depression?

[clhiu]

Hello there!

Following the harrowing experience of 3 miscarriages in a row, I referred myself and my husband to a private fertility clinic for investigation in what might be causing this.

I don't know if this investigation will result in recommended treatment, but the primary objective is for now to establish possible causes. In any case, given conception and implantation aren't an issue (we became pregnant 3 times in 5 months) I cannot see how treatments like IVF or IUI would be relevant, I just want to understand for now if it's just a case of bad luck and poor egg quality and whether it's worth to just keep trying naturally.

Anyway, as i received the preliminary forms to fill I realised there is a Child Welfare HFEA form to fill in about personal medical history of both myself and partner, which will presumably will be cross-checked against our official medical record and may result in refusal of treatment.

My husband has a 10 year on and off history of mild depression and anxiety, which resulted in him receiving counselling sessions in the past (the last one being almost 4 years ago) and taking medications such as Fluoxetine first then Citalopram in more recent years. This will be on his medical record, however I need to highlight this was always mild and manifests itself primarily in the form or low mood and social anxiety/avoidance, but he's never shown any intention to harm himself or others, I never felt that his or my life were in any danger from the condition. Additionally, following his most recent consultation (which will hopefully be on his medical record) he is now phasing out his medication due to improvement, which was agreed with his GP.

I am now hugely worried our application will be rejected if he declare a history of depression, could someone please tell me:

1. Have you been in a similar situation and had treatment refused?
2. From any experience or knowledge you may have in this field, do providers always cross check answers against the patient medical record or would they only do so and carry out further assessment if you respond 'yes' to any of them?
3. Would you respond 'no' to the question about whether you have any mental condition with a history of mild depression/anxiety and would you get in further trouble if this was then found out upon checking your medical records?
4. As initially we are not seeking treatment as such, but only investigation and testing, should these be granted regardless and checks carried out afterwards, in case of treatment being required only?

If anybody can shed any light on this please I would really love to have some idea of what are chances are to get any help at all and what's the best approach to the information we should share on the form.

The whole experience has been completely soul destroying as it is already, I cannot do with this added obstacle and worry looming over our heads now too.

Please share your experiences if you know anything at all.

Thanks x

I would be very surprised if you were refused treatment. This would be akin to workplace discrimination. Unfortunately it’s just another crappy part of infertility where you need to sign a declaration while drug addled idiots pop out ten kids without any kind of oversight! So I wouldn’t worry about it. I have never heard of anyone being refused treatment for a health condition and many women undergoing fertility treatments end up on anti depressants and in counselling

Re your history - a friend had 6 natural conception miscarriages, then a healthy baby on her first round of IVF. So it will hopefully help you get your baby.

I would also make sure you check DNA fragmentation in the sperm as this can cause miscarriage if high. The very best of luck.

Hi @Dochas12111

thank you for your response and advice, we’ll just have to put our request forward and hope we’re allowed to have the tests at least!

I completely agree, it feels really frustrating that all manners of violent psyichopaths may get to have kids to their hearts content so long as they get to conceive naturally and nobody’s ever going to ver or veto that, but if you need fertility treatment your medical history is picked apart and you may be denied on the ground of something minor or that happened a long time in the past and is resolved, very very frustrating.

Thanks for the advice on sperm DNA fragmentation, I had no idea that could be an issue so I’ll make sure we get that checked too.

As for your friend, would you mind me asking if they used their own eggs and sperm for the IVF round or a donor’s?

Thanks x

They definitely used own eggs and sperm. The artificial cycle seemed to work for her so shutting down her own hormones and having a medicated cycle plus I think A high dose of progesterone.

I was and still am on sertraline and had recurrent mc investigations and ivf treatment and no one batted an eyelid. It was only when I became pregnant the midwives were interested but that’s them watching out for pre/postnatal depression. I think something like 10% or just over women are on antidepressants during fertility treatment. Don’t worry about it.
Also look at immunes as a cause of your recurrent mc, you sound like me - fell pregnant often but mc. Look at Shehata or Gorgy ( google and mumsnet threads) best of luck op !