Am I entitled to IVF on the NHS

[LillyZL]

Hi all, after years of tests with my gynaecologist he has finally referred me to an IVF clinic and we had our first appointment today. The Doctor there has said she needs to do some research but she thinks because the Gynaecologist prescribed me Clomiphene that I may now not be entitled to IVF on the NHS. Although I haven't got a difinitive answer I'm feeling so disheartened so was just wondering if anyone else was prescribed Clomiphene and if so we're you then able to go ahead with IVF on the NHS? Thanks.

[TTC1994]

Hey! I don’t think that that’s a problem at all, my gyne had me on clomid, letrazole, metfromin for months before they decided I’d need to go down the route of IVF, I’m nhs funded as me and my partner don’t have any children so we got 3 FREE rounds. It all depends on your circumstances & council not if ur on clomid so don’t worry I had it and was fine for ivf! Hope all goes well xx

[Solly-44]

Hi,I don’t know if it varies within different CCGs but yes we had clomid (one is the brand name, not sure which but it’s the same thing!) and then were entitled to IVF on the NHS.

I think that’s quite a common route, I’ve never heard of it stopping anyones entitlement to IVF so fingers crossed for you. X

[Maaty]

I’m not sure that is right, I will strongly advise to go to your gp, explain your situation, and he will do the referrals. It happen to me twice and both times I went to the gp, first was before covid , after trying different protocols before IVF , they referred me to the ivf clinic (they asked me at the beginning if I wanted Ivf , but I wanted to try first other protocols with hormones and IUI. It didn’t work) I had finally the appointment for egg retrieval , but everything was canceled because of the pandemic. This was in July 2020

I change neighbourhood , so I had to start again from the beginning the referrals. So I went to my new gp , and start all the process again , but this time straight to IVF clinic.

I first contacted the gp in July 2021, the clinic approved my referral in September, got my egg retrieval in November 2021 , and FET In February 2022.

Currently 15 weeks pregnant !

Hope this can help 🙏🙏

[Purpledoggy]

As mentioned, rules between different CCGs vary so you’d need to check with them. I’d be surprised if clomiphene would invalidate your IVF entitlement but CCGs are a law unto themselves. There’s no NHS IVF in my area at all for example 😢 xx

[ebonyebene]

I echo what Purpledoggy says. Find your CCG rules, read it with a fine tooth comb, print it, make an appointment with your doc and TELL them what you're entitled too. Unfortunately most docs aren't even aware of the ccg criteria, mine delayed my treatment by 6 months ans he didn't know the rules and misinterpreted our investigation results. Best of luck xx