Process & timescales - NHS Scotland

[EasterBunny32]

Hi everyone,

I have been referred to an NHS fertility specialist and my appointment is mid-January. This is the first time I have been through this and looking to see if anyone can tell me a little more about the process and what kind of timescales to expect for starting treatments? (I’m in Scotland)

I appreciate it will be different for everyone but Im so nervous and excited, Ive been waiting a long time for this appointment and would rather go prepared, with reasonable expectations and the right questions.

I believe I have PCOS, although my GP has not officially diagnosed me - I’ve not had a proper period since having my contraceptive implant removed 2+ years ago, I have high testosterone, difficulty with weight loss and suffer with mild hirsutism. I’ve also never experienced a ‘peak’ on my LH tests, so don’t appear to be ovulating. I started taking inositol 2g x2 daily about 3 months ago but so far does not appear to be making a difference.

I had an ultrasound of my uterus/ovaries about 6/7 months after having my implant out due to bad abdominal pain (everything was ‘fine’) and my GP told me my hormones (FSH/LH etc) also ‘look ok’.

My partners semen analysis also came back ‘great’.

From what I’ve been reading so far and what i know about myself, I suspect (hope?) I may be offered ovulation induction medication to start with, Clomifene or letrozole (🤞🏻). If this is the case, would this likely be discussed at my first appointment/started soon after?

My real concern is that my current BMI is 33, despite working hard on calorie counting and going to the gym. I know it has to be below 30 for IVF and would be devastated if this was also the case for the medications - does anyone know the limit for NHS Scotland?

I know some of you have been going through investigations/treatments for years and I really admire you for having the strength. We’ve only been trying for 2 years but I am already finding it very difficult to deal with.

Thank you, from a 32 year old worrier, desperate to be a mum!

[Twiglet2]

hi 👋🏼 so the consultation should determine what route you go down (ovulation induction, IUI or IVF and then (if they don’t want any further investigations) you would be put on the correct waiting list and which treatment depends on how long the list is. If you don’t yet meet the nhs criteria ie your BMI they won’t add you to the list and will ask you to come back in 3 months to be checked was our experience for IUI (my partner still smoked and didn’t pass the carbon monoxide test and this is what they did to us and I’ve heard others have the same experience with BMI) this was in Glasgow. I believe it is for any form of fertility treatment so would include ovulation induction. So if you can get under for your first appointment to get in the list that would save you a few months, if not they do give you that time to come back and if you need more than 3 months you could discuss that with them too I believe. Depending on the clinic this BMI check might not actually happen at the consultation and could be a separate appointment but for us a nurse checked it whilst we were waiting to go in and see the consultant so they already knew during the consultation. IUI wait was about a year and IVF about 9 months but it fluctuates, not sure about ovulation induction I’d imagine that’s quicker though.

Also if they suggest or give the option of going straight to IVF please don’t be afraid of it it may save you years of trying and has the highest success rate! I wish we had never wasted our time on anything else xx

[maryjanesdesk]

Hi! I'm currently just starting the whole IVF process - had my first fertility appointment today - I'm in Edinburgh - and couldn't get on the list as my BMI was over 30. Doc told me it had to be under 30 - so 29.9 and under - She said she'll see me for a follow-up in a few months but if before then I can get my BMI under 30 then I can get on the list.

I don't think there's a limit for medications? Doc did suggest I start taking myo-inositol - a supplement that is helpful if you have PCOS - and that should hopefully help with weight loss too? I have been diagnosed with PCOS and have a definitive cause for needing IVF so hoping that the supplements will help? You could maybe try that? Doc said she'll refer me to a dietician as well who would likely recommend the same supplement anyway so I'm guessing it's a good thing to try?

Current waiting times I've been told for NHS funded treatment (assuming this is once you're on the list) is 10-12 months and 4-5 months for self-funded.