27 TTC for one year now, Doctor says I must wait 2?

[Rein]

I'm 27 years old and me and my boyfriend started trying to conceive this month, last year.

In that time, I had been off of birth control for a few months. My periods were weird. They started out always brown and only sometimes got pink.

In recent months, they've been more normal now. No more brown. They last a week, sometimes over.

Anyway, since it's been a year, I decided to ask my Doctor if I should get some fertility tests.

And he didn't seem phased! He told me that we should relax and come back in one year, that 2 years they would deem me to be infertile.

I tried to tell him that I took ovulation tests which never seemed positive but he said that they can be inaccurate.

I know I'm still young, and that I have anxieties, but should I just relax? I've never heard of being called infertile after TWO years. I always thought it was one?

 

[Sheece]

I would try to get a second opinion if I was you, sounds like your doctor isn't really taking your wishes into consideration, at the very least!

Here (Australia) they do say after 1 year come in, I would think that's pretty universal so might be worth getting a second opinion I reckon.

Good luck!

 

[WishnandHopn]

You should definitely get a new doctor, or ask for a referral to a gynaecologist or fertility specialist. I am not a patient person, and since we are over 35 we got referred after trying for 6 months. The first tests they will do will be CD3 hormone bloodwork for you, and a semen analysis for your DH, so if you want to get the ball rolling you could specifically ask to have those tests done. Good luck!

 

[VivaLaMrs]

I know exactly how you feel.

I am 25 years old, we have been TTC over a year.
Had ONE menstrual cycle ALL YEAR!!!

3 different doctors have told me, "You're young, don't worry!"

 

[MEPride]

Definitely seek out a second opinion. Most experts agree after a year of trying you should be getting some kind of testing done.

I, personally, have infrequent ovulation and was given testing at the very beginning when my husband and I decided to try a year ago.

The thing I hate is when doctors or anyone who says 'don't worry, you're still young!' Like you have all the time in the world. You may have years ahead of you to try, but why be forced to wait at least 2 years when you're discouraged from trying for so long? That's 2 years and potentially 24 'tried and failed to conceive'. Statistically, a person has a 20% chance of conceiving every month. That means most people who have normal cycles and nothing wrong will conceive within 5 months.

If you've given it a good effort and had the timing right and still haven't conceived after a year.... it's time to seek another doctor for another opinion.

 

[Rein]

I know exactly how you feel.

I am 25 years old, we have been TTC over a year.
Had ONE menstrual cycle ALL YEAR!!!

3 different doctors have told me, "You're young, don't worry!"

See, you definitely may have a problem! And this what is frustrates me: I have periods! They're light, but they happen. But not the conceiving!

I have never seen a positive pregnancy test ever. A month ago, I was *sure* I was sure I was pregnant. My finger nails were long, I had sudden bleeding and over a week before my period was due (which only lasted for a few hours), and I was getting nauseated in the car. Turns out, my body just ... is weird.

The thing is, getting pregnant should be easy! Right now, I'm seeing people my age get pregnant like there's no tomorrow. Two of them literally got pregnant within 2 months of marriage. My foreign cousin (who is my age) is showing off her pregnant belly, and it seems like literally everyone around me is getting pregnant without charting or anything! There's also another couple who were panicking when they didn't get pregnant after 4 months...and of course, they're pregnant just fine now.

And I don't want to argue with my doctor! That's what's frustrating. I don't get why he wants me to have to wait two years. Although, I read online that there was a study done...and apparently 40% of people who couldn't conceive naturally the first year end up conceiving naturally the second. So I'm not sure if maybe that's what he's thinking. That maybe there's nothing wrong and he thinks I'll get pregnant soon.

But I'm so used to seeing negative pregnancy test that I now can no longer picture that happening.

My doctor DID say that after the the 2nd year, they'd test my spouse first. But why not now?

The thing I hate is when doctors or anyone who says 'don't worry, you're still young!' Like you have all the time in the world. You may have years ahead of you to try, but why be forced to wait at least 2 years when you're discouraged from trying for so long? That's 2 years and potentially 24 'tried and failed to conceive'. Statistically, a person has a 20% chance of conceiving every month. That means most people who have normal cycles and nothing wrong will conceive within 5 months.

I know. I wanted a baby when I was 23! Then I turned 23 and decided against it. Now I'm 27 and I feel like the clock is ticking! I want grandkids for my parents while they're still somewhat young! (My Dad just turned 52...)

The other thing? My S/O had trauma in the down region along time ago where he ended up in a hospital for 3 days. (A girl kicked him during kong-fu camp) I always worry about that, too.

You should definitely get a new doctor, or ask for a referral to a gynaecologist or fertility specialist. I am not a patient person, and since we are over 35 we got referred after trying for 6 months. The first tests they will do will be CD3 hormone bloodwork for you, and a semen analysis for your DH, so if you want to get the ball rolling you could specifically ask to have those tests done. Good luck!

There's a sexual health clinic in my region. I think that perhaps I should speak with a nurse there to get all the up-to-date information. Thing is, they usually distribute condoms and birth control, so I'm not sure if they'd be up to giving advice FOR conceiving?

 

[MagicDance]

Heya!
I have been through the same as you although the only difference being this is my 2nd year.

My periods are normal as in I have 32day cycles, I appear to ovulate on dogital clearblue opks. From when I think I ovulate from my slight cramp and ewcm my period arrives 14 days after.

I vented to my Doc and asked what should happen next? I was told that we needed to TTC for 2 years until we could have further tests as it can take up to 2 years for a normal healthy couple. (Like you have said its a pretty frustrating statistic when every other woman I know seems to be having their second baby right now!!)

So basically I waited it out, I did feel it was a bit of an injustice mind you. We saved some money and put by and I did do some research into other Doctor surgeries but they all seemed to think ttc for 2 years is normal before any investigations etc.

Its extremely frustrating but the time flew by. Just wanted you to know you werent alone and it doesnt seem fair.

Hopefully you might be more luckier than me and get some happy news. For us it seems we are going to neeed some help.

Good luck on your journey.

 

[VivaLaMrs]

Thank you!! Yes! It is nice to know (well not really - I'd rather none of us) there is someone who feels the exact same as I do! I have been on BCP since I was in my early teens. I have no idea what to expect and this has been unbelievably frustrating. I am working on getting a second opinion from another doctor. For the time being, I am taking Vitex. It's a homeopathic supplement that is supposed to help balance out my hormones. I know my ovum are PERFECT. (I donate a couple times with successful pregnancies!) It's crazy to know that my genes are running/crawling around somewhere and I am here struggling. It is making me crazy!!! Keep us updated with your journey!

 

[Rein]

Heya!
I have been through the same as you although the only difference being this is my 2nd year.

My periods are normal as in I have 32day cycles, I appear to ovulate on dogital clearblue opks. From when I think I ovulate from my slight cramp and ewcm my period arrives 14 days after.

I vented to my Doc and asked what should happen next? I was told that we needed to TTC for 2 years until we could have further tests as it can take up to 2 years for a normal healthy couple. (Like you have said its a pretty frustrating statistic when every other woman I know seems to be having their second baby right now!!)

So basically I waited it out, I did feel it was a bit of an injustice mind you. We saved some money and put by and I did do some research into other Doctor surgeries but they all seemed to think ttc for 2 years is normal before any investigations etc.

Its extremely frustrating but the time flew by. Just wanted you to know you werent alone and it doesnt seem fair.

Hopefully you might be more luckier than me and get some happy news. For us it seems we are going to neeed some help.

Good luck on your journey.

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm feeling desperately alone. I think part of that is because I'm younger and all the infertility posts are about older ladies. But what if you're 27 and not conceiving?

And ANOTHER person from my class group posted publicly about her "fantastic surprise"! I know that it's a happy time for her but I hate her now. Like I can't take all of these stupid announcements. It hurts.

I'm glad that you've been told about a 2 year thing. Right now, I'm attempting to hold up my legs after doing the BD and not peeing afterwards.

I'm also going to try and do the BD every second day during my predicted ovulation.

But you're right. One year has went by so fast!

 

[wintersocks1]

Rein,
I think you don't need to fight with your doctor but you should still advocate for yourself and your health. Hormonal balance has other effects beyond just fertility. You should perhaps get a different doctor or gather some other symptoms of hormonal imbalance and go back to him. I have beautiful charts but I have low progesterone and a few other hormones that are off track. At one year, I had my husband go tell his doctor he needs a semen analysis and then when that came back normal, I went and had my 21 day (or 7dpo) hormones assessed. The least they could do is check your iron status,thyroid, and if your in the northern hemisphere, your vitamin D, which is actually highly associated with infertility. You don't need to try for any amount of time to be worried about those and have them checked. I would ask for the 7dpo hormone profile, especially if you can get your man in and all comes back normal. If you have something off, it could be affecting your health in other ways, and you should know. If you don't feel supported by your doctor, you do not have to see him again. Sorry that your dealing with this. It is hard but you are certainly not alone.