No luck 15 months in.

[diamondlassy]

So my fiance and I have been trying to start our own family for the last 15 months. We are both active 21 year olds who exercise regularyly eat healthily and been taking pre conception vitamins. We havn't had a single positive test. My cycles are abnormally long and range between 40-46 days. I have been using the ovualtion kits for the last 7 months but it either doesnt pick anyting up or it changes when it occurs....

I guess what my question to you all is, when we go to the doctors will we be brushed aside due to our age? And if not how does the whole testing process work? It all seems mind boggeling!

Thanks for any info, we want to be as clued up as we can!

xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi

Most primary Care Trusts (PCT) have set criteria as to who and when you are eligible for investigations and treatment on the NHS. Most do state that you have to have been trying for at least two years. However, due to your menstrual cycle being so long, it might be an idea to seek an opinion from your GP. He may refer you to get this investigated and appropriate treatment offered. If your periods were regulated, then it is possible that regular ovulation would occur and hopefully a natural pregnancy. There is much that can be done for you, but remember that your fiancé would need to be checked out too. While you are waiting for a referral, make sure that you have regular intercourse – at least every three days. This will then “cover” the time if and when you ovulate, and providing all is well with your tubes and fiancé’s sperm, will give you the best opportunity to conceive. If you have a look at our website infertilitynetworkuk.com you will be able to see more information and also how we can support you at this time.

Diane Arnold

[AppleBlossom]

Hi DiamondLassy,

I would get this checked out sooner rather than later to be honest. You will be asked to have bloods done on day 2-3 of your cycle and then day 21 of you cycle so when you make your appt try to make it to fit in with these times as they maybe able to do one of your blood tests at least there and then as it can become frustrating with waiting. As Diane said your Fiance will have to be tested to but to ease his mind slightly you may have the option of doing this test at home and then take the sample in, this part can be quite embarrassing for the male so be delicate about this. After you have had these tests and depending on the results you may then be referred for further more investigations. I have been down the same road you are about to embark on so feel free to pick my brain. Good luck with it all.

[tink85]

Hi there,

I'm going through the process of investigations at the moment, as said above you will have to have blood test and your partner a seman sample. My blood showed up fine and my partner a low seman count therefore we got refered to the hospital where I had to undergo a HSG scan, basically its a test to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes, the results showed that I have a blockage. I was also sent for a transvaginal scan/ultra sound which gave a clearer view of the ovaries than the HSG, the results to that are I also have an Ovairian Cyst!! I am now waiting for a laporoscopy which will be to remove the cyst and blockage in my tubes as well as give the doctors a better chance to see if anything else is going on. It is a long lenghty process and much of that is waiting for the appointments I can go one month then have to wait another to be seen again, therefore I suggest that you see your doctor asap, the sooner you go the quicker it gets sorted!! Message me if you need to ask anything and i'll try to answer the best I can.

Good luck x

[Saz_S]

Hi,

I suggest a visit asap, they may not reffer you until you have been trying for 18-24 months, but it is worth going. Myself and my husband we 21 when we went and we have been trying 18 months, they did not want to refer us but I was persistant and eventually after 4 weeks got an appointment with a specialist.

Good luck..

Saz-S

[diamondlassy]

Thank you so much for all the information girls. I phoned this morning and have my first appiontment on the 2nd of November. Role on the start of what sounds like a very long journey! It's such a frustrating time after yet another negative test this morning. All we want is a little one to start our family and it just isnt happening I will keep you posted on how I get on.

xx

[diamondlassy]

So had my first appiontment this morning, was so nervous before we got there but the dr was lovely! She put me at ease straight away and after listening said that I should schedule appiontments for blood tests during my next cycle and there testing for rubella as well, she thinks i'm maybe not ovulating. Why do they test for rubella it wasn't really explained? I was talking to my other half after our appiontment and he is refusing to get his men checked. When I asked why, he said that he didnt want to find out he's the reason we cant have a baby. Have any other ladies here had their other halfs think like that? I want to support his feelings but eventually surely he will need to get checked? I told him I would never put blame on him as modern medicine can be brilliant and even if there was a problem they would be able to help us.

xx

[SachaBlack]

As long as he has a sperm count ususally they can do something called ISCI where they take a single sperm and actually fertilize the egg. So it will be fine, but if he wants a baby then he has to support you through all your tests and do them himself! but reassure him that even if there was a problem, IVF can (if successful) solve a lot of problems. Hope you get somewhere...