Struggling after appointment - IVF if not conceived in 6 months

[Englishrose35]

Hi,
I've posted on here before but thought I would update as we are both feeling upset after our appointment last week.

I'm 35 with PCOS but regular periods and do ovulate. DH has had three SA which all show a low motility (around 30ish %) and some have shown borderline count/ volume.

We have only been TTC for 6 months but had tests early because of DH history of torsion.

Our consultant said that our option are to keep TTC for a further 6 months max and then if no success go straight to IVF ICSI.
Our other option would be to pay privately for IVF now. We decided we would continue for a further 6 months and then go for NHS IVF or private in 6 months if waiting list long. Because of male factor we can be referred to NHS fertility straight away.

I'm struggling to process this all:
on one hand it is good to know the information but it has put a lot of stress on us. I'm happy we have a plan of what to do but also feel a total of 1-year TTC and then moving to IVF ICSI seems so short.

The Consultant wasn't really able to give us the chances of natural conception but said "it is possible." She said because of the male side of things they wouldn't try anything else first (no letrozole or IUI) but would do IVF ICSI first line.

DH is on vitamins and making a few lifestyle changes as BMI upper limit 28.

Anyone else been in a similar boat?
Is it better to have IVF after a total of 1 year TTC in this situation? I know success rates are not great but I guess in our situation male factor is identified as a potential problem

Thanks and sorry for rant

I think based on what you've said here, it makes sense to wait six months longer to get on the NHS waiting list for treatment. Even with known fertility problems I think a year of trying is right (unless there's 0% chance of it happening obviously). I know someone who tried for two years, started the IVF process, got pregnant naturally. So you just never know and it's worth a go for the cost and effort of IVF if it can be avoided.

It's a horrible feeling and you need time to process and let it settle in. I think feeling like you're reeling a little afterwards is normal.

Is your husband taking over the counter vitamins or expensive ones? We were recommended Impryl or proxeed for 3-6 months at least to boost numbers and quality but they're so expensive. They're got a good reputation apparently even though on that surface the ingredients are much the same as ones available in store.

I think you need to also realise that they appear to be saying they will refer you in 6 months. Then you go on wait list. We were referred in the November, had our consultation in the jan and then treatment in September and we were out near the top of the wait list. I don’t say that to say go private I just want you to realise it will be 6 months trying and then about a year depending on postcode lottery for treatment. We didn’t mind the wait as I had some weight I wanted to loose first to give myself the best chance. Currently 20wks pregnant from our nhs ivf so it has all worked out.

@IVFKinster

Thank you.
Agree that one year of trying seems like best option if chances not impossible. Whilst I don't want to delay going to IVF/ ICSI - I don't think the outcomes are great. I'm also very anxious about the physical/ emotional toil of IVF plus id be at higher risk of OHSS because of PCOS and high AMH.

The consultant did say not to leave it any longer than 6 months more though.

Yes we do. DH is taking it quite hard as he didn't really think it would be sperm contributing. It has affected us but we feel better having a plan.

He is taking proceive though not the max version which is pricier. I meant to ask consultant about impryl or proxeed but forgot as was so much to take in.

I'm not sure which would be recommended? Did you ask your fertility clinic?
Proceive max is also expensive £50 per month

Thanks.
She said to be referred now and then from the fertility clinic they will refer for IVF straightaway because of male factor (we have already had most investigations other than Hycosy which is unlikely to change things because of the male factor).
But that we should not leave it longer than 6 months till starting IVF.

Do you mean the IVF wait list? If it is very long we are happy to just go privately.
In our area they only fund 1 round of NHS IVF.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Did you have male factor or other causes?

@JadeAC

Thanks.
She said to be referred now and then from the fertility clinic they will refer for IVF straightaway because of male factor (we have already had most investigations other than Hycosy which is unlikely to change things because of the male factor).
But that we should not leave it longer than 6 months till starting IVF.

Do you mean the IVF wait list? If it is very long we are happy to just go privately.
In our area they only fund 1 round of NHS IVF.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Did you have male factor or other causes?

It was unexplained. Neither of our results were great but wouldn’t have ruled out conception. We weee trying for 2yrs though so it clearly just wasn’t going to happen.

@Englishrose35 for us our NHS clinic recommended Impryl because they had lots of leaflets for it (although we went private in the end and they didn't recommend anything).
Maybe finding out about the waiting list in your area would help? If it's long then you could get referred now, knowing you can keep trying until you reach the top. For some reason my local NHS clinic didn't have a waiting list and it was a "start when your BMI is where it needs to be" situation. Or you can ask for the referral, get all the info re. Timelines, protocols, expectations etc. and you can always defer treatment or ask to be re-referred six months later if there is no waiting list.

Just as a bit of a success story (so far anyway!) I have PCOS, husband had low everything (due to epilepsy meds) and we got one perfect embryo and one frozen embryo with IVF ICSI and so far so good. It might feel like it's not got great outcomes but people do have success with it so please don't feel too defeated. I developed mild OHSS and wish I'd signed myself off sick from work for two weeks. If they're concerned about OHSS they'll push you for a frozen transfer so that you don't suffer as badly so try not to worry about that - that's what the clinic is responsible for monitoring.