Fertility tests. Yay or nay?

[CharlotteRose90]

Just that really. I’m 30 and single but I’m worried about my fertility.

Wondering if I should book a female assessment and see if they can advise me of anything or am I wasting my money.

Might sound daft but a couple of years ago I was seriously ill and needed steriods, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, iron infusions and all sorts and I have no idea what that has done to my body. I am getting periods every month though and I’m not on Any hormonal contraception.

I’ve also supposedly had Pcos for 14 years aswell. I know my mum struggled to get pregnant and it took her years.

Would anyone advise to have the test or leave it?

Oh and I have IBD so I know I would get a session of IVF if I needed it and could have it

Hi - if me yes I would. When I was married we started trying for a baby at 30 and after 2 years with no luck investigations diagnosed endometriosis and a cyst. (I had gone to doctors with what I now know are classic symptoms of this many years earlier, but he said it was stress). By the age of 33 I was infertile with eggs no good either. So a fertility check in my 20’s would have been a good idea! However I did have a baby via ivf aged 38!

Get tests/checks/advice via the NHS so you're at least assured of the quality of the advice and also NHS will have your full medical history, medical notes from those who treated you, previous tests, and records which are all required for accurate advice. Some tests that private companies will charge you for can actually be of limited use or misleading, especially if you're not planning a pregnancy right now. If you bring it up with your GP or outpatient team, they'll be able to refer you to gynaecologists with the relevant specialism who can give you advice tailored to your particular situation. You get this all for free and it's worth waiting for, no need for going privately for advice that will be based on partial information anyway.

Also check out this NHS webpage: www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/hormonal-fertility-tests-waste-time-and-money/