TWO year wait for initial ttc tests in UK?

[Lillybee]

Hello, we have been ttc for nearly a year. We decided to go to the doctor and told him about our situation. I was expecting some kind of 'solution' in the sense that they would start carrying out the initial tests that everyone seems to talk about on B&B. But the doctor said because my periods are regular and we both seem healthy it's perfectly normal to take up to two years and no tests would be carried out until then! I couldn't believe it. We got a second opinion that is the same. One part of me is relieved that we don't have to do the tests and we are within the 'normal' range. The other part is scared that something may be wrong and we won't know until a whole year away - it already feels like a life time. Just wondering what other people's NHS experiences are in the UK please?

 

[Bump2B]

Hi Lillybee,

I went to the doctor after around a year of actually TTC, and more than 18months unprotected sex. I don't think there is a standard protocol but I think the rough guide is 1 year for women under 35 and 6 months for women over 35.
My doctor sent me for a bloodtest, vaginal scan and my DH for a semen analysis.
However, my periods were extremely irregular and I had been on a lot of different medication for acne so he suspected PCOS (and was correct).
I can only guess because you're not showing signs of PCOS, and your regular periods make it likely you are ovulating that he would like you to try some more.
Perhaps you can request your partner be referred for testing though, this is usually the first test done as it is straightforward and less invasive than female fertility testing.

Babydust to you x

 

[Lillybee]

Thanks for the reply Bump2B. Yeah I've read everywhere online and even in the NHS guildlines that say they will start with their initial investigations after a year if under 35. Yeah I know there doesn't seem anything wrong on the surface, I just wonder why it's taking this long is everything is 'fine'. Partner was with me at the doctors and the doctor also said most sperm tests show that the male has slightly low sperm count and are inconclusive anyway. I think we will try to 'keep positive' although easier said than done!

to you too!

 

[Bump2B]

Are you tracking your ovulation? This certainly increases your chances, and if you have regular cycles thats already half the battle.
Using Opks, charting your temperatures and monitoring your CM are the most common.
Also you and your DH cutting down/out alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine and taking conception vitamins will increase your chances.
Sorry if you're already doing all this stuff,

 

[airotciv]

I think it might depend on which PCT you're with perhaps? We went to the doctors after a year and were told it was normal for it to take time and to come back in 3 months if I wasn't pregnant. I wasn't happy with that at all, so a month later when I came on again, we went back and said we wanted tests. It was a different doctor and she agreed, so she sent me for some blood tests and my husband for a sperm analysis and as it turns out we do have a rather serious problem.

You probably know this but if there are no problems, you have to wait 3 years before you are entitled to treatment on the NHS.

I hope you get some answers and I wish you the best of luck xxx

 

[foxykins]

hiya,

I live in the uk and i went to the docs who i must say was lovely even tho i have had 2 children some time ago i expressed my concerns about not being able to get pregnant and the worry of my age (36) the same day she sent out requests for all the hormone tests and now my bf is going thru some tests also so i think maybe you should go again if your not happy. depending on age you should be trying for around 6 months to a year and if nothing happens you are advised just to get basic checks..

 

[Just_married]

It depends on your pct. Nhs and NICE guidelines say 1yr for under 35s, after that you should be entitle to basic tests. The two year wait is how long before you can apply for funding for ivf, but even for that you need to be diagnosed with explained/unexplained.

My suggestion is phone your pct and ask and if they say it's a year you should go back to docs with this info, plus print out the nhs guidelines to show them as they possibly have interpreted it wrong.

(I'm over 35 so I went at 6months & got blood hormone & general health tests, urine tests & when they were clear ingot hsg. Dh also got blood/urine tests & semen analysis. All these are diagnostic, not 'assisted' treatments).

 

[wanna_bump]

I've waited for about 2 years for tests/bloodwork/appointments ect, in my experience it will take you that long anyway to get somewhere! x

 

[ZekeyMylo2010]

Even if there were to refer you they just ask you a bunch of questions and not much else it was like over 18months before they did anything to me.. They kept saying we give you 3/3 stars of concieving on your own.. However they were wrong and I'm no where nearer than what I was 3years ago.. And I'm not entilited to any help on the Nhs cause ther half has kids.. Unexplained infertilty but supposedly nothing wrong.. Keep plodding on..

 

[Just_married]

It's crazy the difference in interpretation of the guidelines.

I have a dd 17 next month & dh also has an 8th old dd from previous, but I was told I'm entitled to diagnosis at least (which I got 8 months after my first referral).

I think doctors are confusing IF referral criteria with nhs ivf funding criteria.

 

[Ducktales]

i got told the same - it takes up to 2 years to conceive for some couples, so we went away and kept trying with no tests, then ended up getting all upset and went back and was referred to FS after 1 year trying after my MC having pushed it a bit.
I think the least they could do is swabs and blood tests for ovulation and progesterone as well as a semen analysis for your OH which is all done at the doctors, no specialists.
It also seems to depend on yours age as to how helpful the GP's have been - i am 31 and my husband is 36
personally i would give it 3 more months, as you mention you have been trying for under 1 year, then go back and push it and this is a bit wrong but i would lie if you have to - tell them you have been having unprotected sex for longer...
good luck
xxxx

 

[charbaby]

I was reffered to fertility specialist at 12 months ttc, o/h was sent for 2 s/as and I had about 3 blood tests/ scans done. This diagnosed pcos so they got me on a waiting list for ovarian driling, lap and dye and hystereoscopy which I had done in June. the waiting times from first appointment to having the Op was only 5 months x

 

[wanna_bump]

where in the uk are you charbaby? i have pcos too and havent even been refered to a fertility doctor yet :O x

 

[charbaby]

where in the uk are you charbaby? i have pcos too and havent even been refered to a fertility doctor yet :O x

Gloucestershire (south west midlands), you should be referred at 12 months ttc the latest, if you have already been diagnosed with pcos. Where are you? x

 

[wanna_bump]

im living in the north-east. Ive been told to take metformin for 8 months (which wil be january) then if that hasnt done anything i'll be referred over then which will be almost 3 years ttc x

 

[charbaby]

im living in the north-east. Ive been told to take metformin for 8 months (which wil be january) then if that hasnt done anything i'll be referred over then which will be almost 3 years ttc x

I would get another opinion, I have been on metformin since february as prescribed by my fertility specialist, also had the ops, lap n dye, hystereoscopy and ovarian drilling and I am only at 19 months ttc well i say only it has been a long time to me but you have had it worse! has the metformin sorted out your cycles? x

 

[wanna_bump]

im living in the north-east. Ive been told to take metformin for 8 months (which wil be january) then if that hasnt done anything i'll be referred over then which will be almost 3 years ttc x

I would get another opinion, I have been on metformin since february as prescribed by my fertility specialist, also had the ops, lap n dye, hystereoscopy and ovarian drilling and I am only at 19 months ttc well i say only it has been a long time to me but you have had it worse! has the metformin sorted out your cycles? x

Im not sure if it has yet ive had an af on it and im cd26, and according to ff I ov'd at cd 14 - but i dont think i did. ill be suprised if its worked that well as my last cycle was 177 days :S i think a 2nd opinion sounds like a good idea! x

 

[Lillybee]

Thanks for all of the replies. Its officially reached a year ttc for us now! I rang my PCT (Cambridge) who said despite the NICE guildlines the docs are right, they won't refer you to Addenbrokes for additional tests until the 2 year mark. But she did say I should go back to the doctors and ask them to do some preliminary tests at the doctors surgery. I'm really pissed off because this whole thing has been so stressful and the last time I spoke to one of the doctors she seemed to be in a right rush, not even letting me finish my sentences before she would butt in and say 'it's all normal', stupid woman! She was really rude and it just made me feel so unimportant. I will go back to the doctors because I've been pretty depressed the last few months thinking about all of this and need some hope to keep me going. It's impossible to avoid thinking about ttc right now because babies/pregnant women/children are everywhere, going a little crazy... Hugs to all of you

 

[charbaby]

im living in the north-east. Ive been told to take metformin for 8 months (which wil be january) then if that hasnt done anything i'll be referred over then which will be almost 3 years ttc x

I would get another opinion, I have been on metformin since february as prescribed by my fertility specialist, also had the ops, lap n dye, hystereoscopy and ovarian drilling and I am only at 19 months ttc well i say only it has been a long time to me but you have had it worse! has the metformin sorted out your cycles? x

Im not sure if it has yet ive had an af on it and im cd26, and according to ff I ov'd at cd 14 - but i dont think i did. ill be suprised if its worked that well as my last cycle was 177 days :S i think a 2nd opinion sounds like a good idea! x

my cycles used to be well over 100 days but from the first month using metformin my periods have been regular as clockwork 28 days every month just not the ovulation x

 

[laustiredttc]

hey ladies i'm in london. i have a fs in sep. had all of the bloodwork done, sa for dh done and an ultrasound, all normal. it has taken about 6 months in total for all of that which is not too bad i don't think. its so strange how much it differs between areas it should be one set rule for all.