How long did you ttc before checking things out?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I have been ttc for 4 months. I am 31 with very regular cycles and my husband is in his mid thirties with some erectile dysfunction issues. When I first discussed the topic with my gyn before we began trying, he gave us the stats about how long it takes on average, encouraged us to "have fun trying" but then joked and said if you aren't pregnant in 6 months, let's take a look at what's going on. I recently called Shady Grove to check on lead times for scheduling an initial appointment and was told that they normally don't see people my age until they have been trying for at least a year. I asked if they'd see us before a year and they said they would. The woman I spoke to assured me that 4 months is nothing (which I know...but every month that goes by makes me more anxious and eager) and said that they don't expect or even suggest that patients who don't know of any problems do anything other than timed intercourse and maybe use an opk. I have used an opk for the past 3 months. I admit that I am probably getting stressed out prematurely but I am concerned that we'lll wait the suggested 6-12 months only to find out that we have a long road ahead. I am really trying to stay positive and "enjoy" this time but it sure is hard. I'd love some feedback from those of you who have insight or personal experience to share. How long did you try before checking things out? After an initial consult, how long does it take to receive results and suggested next steps? Anything else you can share? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

After one miscarriage and feeling something was off with my cycles. It was 3 months into ttc, Couldn't hurt to get day 3 bloods and a SA if it will make you feel better.

[Anonymous]

10 months, would have been a year but I turned 35 so the window dropped to 6 months.

[Anonymous]

I was 30 and after 6 months of trying my OB did the day 3 tests, semen analysis and ordered an HSG. All were fine so we tried for another six months before moving on to an RE. Fast forward almost 3 years later and I am now preg with twins via ivf...

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP 21:14 - get the initial evaluation and go from there.

[Anonymous]

I tell you what, I disagree. I think you should really try hard to relax and wait a year (or almost a year). Infertility is REALLY hard and if you don't have to go down that road, I wouldn't. Once you start seeing an RE and monitoring things (even if you're not doing anything invasive yet) your stress level really ratchets up.

[Anonymous]

I saw my GYN after 5 months. She gave me orders for all the initial stuff- day 3's, HSG, SA. I took the orders home and we decided we'd just hang onto them and try for a few more months. Three months later (8 months of trying) we still weren't pregnant so started seeing a RE then. We are trying IUI #1 this month. I disagree with the previous poster. Yes, fertility treatments and the waiting are all really stressful both physically and emotionally, BUT, I feel like I have been less stressed about it since we started with our RE because I have the assurance that we are doing something and not just waiting. I say if you want to move forward now, go for it!

[Anonymous]

4 months isn't that long. You have regular cycles and you're pretty young. I have several friends who have normal cycles, no apparent issues and it took them on average 6 months, although one friend it took about 9 months. I went in to get things checked out after 7 months but only because I hadn't gotten my period in over 2 months yet all the tests were negative. But, I just went to my regular gyn who diagnosed me with PCOS, gave me some advice and we kept trying. Now that it's been a year I've made an appointment to see a specialist.

If you really want to feel like you're doing something and are taking charge, why not give charting a try? I think it's pre-mature to see a specialist and trust me, it's stressful. The pressure is really ratcheted up once you go to the next step and it can make relaxing a lot harder. But charting can help you feel like you're more in tune with what's going on and you're actively doing something.

A few simple tips to keep in mind - have regular sex every other to every 3 days during your cycle. If you aren't sure when you're ovulating it's safest to have sex the entire time rather than timing it in a specific window. Don't have sex every day since sperm need time to recover. OPKs aren't helpful to everyone and can be tough to interpret so don't get too bogged down in what those tests are telling you and just stick to a regular schedule. For charting, I like fertilityfriend.com. And, even though it's hard, try to relax. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

To feel like you're at least working on the "issues" (if there even are any), you could also start accupuncture and possibly chinese herbs.

[Anonymous]

I went for an appt at Shady Grove after TTC for about 4 months when I was 31 and they pretty much told me to come back after one year. They did agree to run all the tests though, so maybe they would have changed their minds if a test had turned up something that would make TTC on our own pretty futile (such as completely blocked tubes).

Personally, my advice would be to have DH's internist order a sperm analysis. Since you are young if there is a problem there is a good chance it is male factor. And if there is a serious problem with DH's sperm, you'll probably be able to find a clinic willing to work with you even if you haven't been TTC for a year. The workup for women involves an HSG, which is not fun and is also kinda pricey - so I wouldn't bother with that if you haven't been TTC for a year. You also might want to chart your temperatures which could be reassuring (or not) in terms of showing you that your cycles are working correctly. Good luck -- hope it works for you soon!!!!

[Anonymous]

I agree with previous posters that suggest that you should track your cycle (either taking temps. and/or ovulation tests) for a few months before dealing with a specialist. If you are ovulating, timing your sex, and still not getting pregnant, then you should have the semen analysis and bloodwork.

An HSG (which will tell you if either tube is blocked) likely won't be covered by insurance until you are trying for 12 mos.

[Anonymous]

OP here...many thanks for all of your feedback and suggestions. My husband and I are thinking of having him go in for a semen analysis in a few months if we are still unsuccessful as one of you suggested. His urologist wrote him a prescription just in case when he was last in so we have that. Where are these done other than Shady Grove or other fertility clinics? We aren't opposed to going to a fertility clinic but may do this test first before going in together for a full work up. I'd appreciate some guidance as to where to make an appointment. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Anonymous]

Good idea to check out your husband first since all your tests will be much more time-consuming and invasive. Any fertility clinic will do a sperm test even if they haven't see you.

[Anonymous]

Your husband can go to Shady Grove to do the semen analysis without you even being a patient there. My husband went there for that test several months before we both went back for a consult and before I had any tests done. I don't know where you can go other than a fertility clinic to have a semen analysis done. If it's through a referral (from you OB/GYN or his doctor), they will just send the results back to that doctor directly. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I've waited way too long... two years! and we are just starting to figure out what is going on. I think four months isn't really that long but getting the SA and pre and post O blood work done is really easy and generally the first step anyway, and not invasive.

I wish you the best of luck.
I'm not going to tell you to "relax" because I know its not that easy or even helpful to hear that. Keeping spirits up and staying hopeful is important though I think..