Had IVF but never been offered Laproscopy, should I have?

[Birdwithnoname]

Does anybody know if Laproscopy should be done for every woman before ivf? If I go private should I get one? Also only had AMH test done before start of ivf - should this be repeated , now 2 years later??

Thanks xx

[Sarah_S]

I've had 4 cycles and never had a laparoscopy. I think you'd only have one if something abnormal was found on your ultrasound.

After my 3rd cycle my consultant recommended repeat AMH test in case there had been any changes, which was about 2 years after my first test.it helped to decide which drugs and protocol to use for my 4th cycle x

[Birdwithnoname in reply to Sarah_S]

Thanks a lot x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Birdwithnonsme. Usually a laparoscopy is performed if there is some medical reason to do so, or some problem such as endometriosis, scarring, ovarian cysts, fibroids are suspected, to name a few. I would have thought that a check on your FSH level at least would be done to give an idea of medication and protocol to use. Perhaps ask. Hope all goes well. Diane

[Birdwithnoname in reply to DianeArnold]

Great thanks, I’ll make sure to ask about the FSh

[Kari55]

Hi Birdwithnoname. I had diagnostic laparoscopy before the IVF as during the HSG the dye didn’t flow through one of my tubes so they suspected endometriosis even though I have never had any symptoms which would indicate it. The laparoscopy had only confirmed that there is nothing wrong and my tubes are patent. During the HSG, one of my tubes went into spasm and I read that often women should take anti-spasm suppository to prevent it. I wish some had told me about it and I never had to go through laparoscopy. I don’t think laparoscopy should be done for every woman. Are you unexplained?

[Birdwithnoname in reply to Kari55]

Brill thanks for the info. I’ve never had the HSG either! Another question 😂!?

I would say unexplained but DH has antisperm antibodies but not a high percentage and we only found out this by fluke- I’ve read many clinics don’t even test for this in Seman ananlysis so I’m questioning how much of a factor this is.

[Kari55 in reply to Birdwithnoname]

We have also found out - during IVF - that DH has antisperm antibodies. Apparently those men usually are able to make their partner pregnant without major problems. This hasn’t happened in our case and it turned out my hubbie has an autoimmune immune illness that is linked to his thyroid. I’m not saying that this is the case with your husband of course but again I wish someone had told us those things earlier so saying it just in case. Does your DH have any food intolerances?

[Birdwithnoname in reply to Kari55]

Really? Ok, I didn’t realise immune or thyroid problems on the male’s side can affect fertility as well. We know that his antibodies were from an injury when he was younger. No known food allergies but he has IBS and allergic to alcohol lol

So how far have you come with your treatment? Xx

[Kari55 in reply to Birdwithnoname]

I guess your husband’s antibodies will be more injury related but IBS might be worth to address by taking some good probiotics (min 30 billion). I have done some research and although there not much evidence out there, I found information that men with autoimmune illness will also have antisperm antibodies. My husband had always a high count but low morphology but doctors kept saying this was absolutely fine and definitely not the reason for infertility. Now his endocrinologist told us that thyroid problems would create a lot of oxidative stress in the body so the sperm quality will be severely impacted. We have done one round of IVF in November and planned to start another one in Feb but DH illness has really flared up. He is still not too well as doesn’t tolerate his meds too well. Not sure what to do next to be honest. I wish it happened naturally... What are your plans?

[Birdwithnoname in reply to Kari55]

I really wish it would happen naturally as well. Been waiting for a single FET since feb but our unit has been closed down so have to wait until July. It will be the last one on the nhs then will have to start to fund private which is a bit daunting, hence trying to do my research. I’m sorry you had to have a painful lap which turned out was not needed. Do you know why you were given the HSG in the first place? Sorry to hear your husband has health issues, as if ivf was not enough on its own really hope you have better luck as he gets better, they do say though it can take several attempts of ivf to work xx

[Kari55 in reply to Birdwithnoname]

How annoying that you had to wait until July but it is now around the corner

We need to now go private for the IVF as our borough would only fund 1 fresh and 1 frozen cycle and we didn’t have anything to freeze unfortunately. We were quoted over £9k in one of London clinics - daunting indeed!

I understand everyone on the NHS would have certain investigations but maybe this also depends on the area. I had blood tests, ultrasound and HSG followed by laparoscopy. My husband had only a basic semen test and otherwise he was completely ignored.

Yes, like going through fertility wasn’t enough and now DH illness on top of it. Life isn’t much fun at the moment. I hope your FET in July is successful, I wish you all the best xx

[Birdwithnoname in reply to Kari55]

Must depend a lot on the area then as you say. Good luck for you too. Our costs have been quoted similar so thinking will have to go abroad. Xx all the best

[physicskate]

I've only had FSH, rubella, chlamydia, 5 ultrasounds and the usual HIV, HepB etc... tests. IVF starts with next cycle. We had 6 cycles of clomid (which a tracked cycle, hence the 5 ultrasounds).

We are obviously unexplained as really no tests to find the reason why it hasn't happened in 2+ years have been done! I do have polycystic ovaries (but according to consultant I don't 'look' like I have PCOS) and a fibroid (but it's subserosal, so not in a 'bad' place). No HSG, Hycosy, lap, hysteroscopy... etc...

So what they do really varies in every area!

The only thing we've found is that (at my insistence they test for this) my TSH was higher than ideal at 3.7. Now on super low dose thyroxine but they are refusing to monitor my TSH any further....

[Birdwithnoname in reply to physicskate]

Yes I think it must vary a lot what you have offered or what they think you need. Can you monitor your thyroid via any other means with your gp or pay privately? Hope your cycle goes well for you xx

[physicskate]

I'm going to my GP in a couple of weeks... we shall see! Thanks and good luck to you too.

[Mrsplant]

I had one done and i dnt think it actually did anything.. if u r responding 2 the drugs and ovulating then it slows ur tubes are open