When to seek fertility tests

[JasminButtercup]

We’ve been actively TTC for 8 months but we stopped using any contraception around 3 years ago (did a bit of the family planning approach but not strictly). Would this class as TTC for a year as we haven’t been using contraception? Or would you look to go private at this point rather than NHS?

Also cannot cope with DM keep telling us to reduce stress or it won’t ever happen (little rant!!!).

I would seek nhs help now if you haven’t got any other dc? Tell them you’ve been trying for 3 years as if you haven’t been using contraction then that is accurate .

Also how old are you as I think it’s 6months of trying if over 35 before it’s advised to seek help

How old are you , that’s very relevant .

I’m 31! I came off contraception because I was aware things can take time to settle, and the issues some people have with fertility.

I'd go now, just say you've been off contraception for 3 years having regular sex and not got pregnant.

I'd agree, say its 3 years - it may well not come to it, but lots of areas require you have been TTC for 2 years before they'll refer you for IVF, so you may as well help yourself out if you did look at that in the future!

Your GP should be able to run some hormone tests on day 2-5 of your cycle and a progesterone test 6-7 days after you ovulate to check if there's anything out of kilter there, and refer you for a pelvic ultrasound (waits for this can be long, i went private to avoid this).

I'd also ask your GP for a full thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4 and antibodies). For fertility you want your TSH to be under 2.5, NHS will tell you anything up to 5 is ok though but private Dr's will prescribe medication under this level if NHS GP won't.

The stress thing is bullshit and SO annoying, telling someone who is stressed not to be is very unhelpful - also women get pregnant in war zones and other very stressful situations so it doesn't really hang together

Thank you for the advice! I don’t want to take space away from those who are further down the line but when I do think about it, we are probably quite far down the line!

it’s infuriating and you wouldn’t say it to someone with a different illness (I’m not saying infertility is an illness but hopefully you know what I mean)- it’s basically blaming us.