Confusion

[stonemonkey]

Hi everybody

im a newbie to all this and was wondering if i could get some advice. My husband and i had our first consultation at nurture in nottingham on monday, and I am a little confused as they took a sperm sample from my husband, but did not perform any tests on me at all. it seems that they took into account the negativity of my husbands results, and decided that IVF was our only option, without testing me. i was wondering, is this normal practice if results are so bad on one side? I was too shocked with the results at the time to question it - i just felt a bit numb taking it all in!!

My cycle is very irregular, it goes from between 4 weeks(shortest so far) and 12 weeks (longest so far) - and there doesnt seem to be a pattern. The consultant is aware of this, and that i sometimes have bleeds in between, and i thought she would order some tests - but all that she is asking for at the moment is testing for certain hormones in my blood. im extremely worried that there is something seriously wrong with me.

if i could hear from anyone on this i would be very very grateful for some advice or reassurance.

Good luck out there to everyone thats starting treatment soon!! fingers crossed.

TONI
xx

[chellejayne]

Hiya Toni,

Firstly, please try not to worry, going off my own experiences, having polycystic ovaries syndrome, i think when you go for tests regarding fertility issues, they will usually test the mans sperm first, as this is not invasive, wheras tests for a woman are a bit more invasive (nothing too bad though) they'll start with the easiest option first and go from there, if a man has a very low sperm count etc, then it is usually the case to do ivf, icsi etc, as oppsed to drug treatment, since giving this type of treatment to the woman even if she has problems also, will not be of any benefit to the mans sperm, so the inital tests would be to check the mans sperm and go on from there,

with regards to your menstrual cycle, it sounds as though you may have polycystic ovaries syndrome, the doctor will probably be checking your blood to see if this is likely, they check your hormones for the levels of LH, FSH, testosterone etc, there are certain drugs, and lifestyle changes you can make, which can help (I should take some of my own advice about the lifestyle changes lol,) I really dont think there will be anything seriously wrong with you, like i said before, i'm only going off my own experiences, and bits and pieces ive read, so it might be a bit vaugue, but hopefully you wont worry as much, i know its hard not to worry when the doctors dont give you alot of information to begin with, but stick with it, and good luck with trying for a baby, you can e-mail me if theres anything else you would like to talk about, and i'll help if i can

Take care

Michelle
x

[Jools]

Hi Toni

I understand exactly what you're saying.... it took me about two years to get to grips with why they wouldn't do any proper test (laperoscopy or even ultra sound) on me, when they had told us initially that DH had a low sperm count (1 mill, instead of 20 mill). They said that IVF was the only way forward, but I was convinced that I could still get pregnant with 1 mill sperm (I mean, how many does it take for gods sake!). They did a few blood tests on me, but I only really remember getting tested for progesterone levels on day 21 of my cycle to see if the level was high enough (over 35) to indicate ovulation had occured. As my cycle is anything from 21 to 29 days, I thought these tests were a bit hit or miss, as if they didn't test on the right day, then they wouldn't get a high enough result anyway. I was completely unimpressed with the 'Expert' we were referred to, as we only saw him on the first visit and was then relegated to his deputies. He told us on the first visit that it was IVF or nothing, and didn't seem interested in exploring other options. I suggested (not the Dr...) trying clomid (clomiphene), in case I had PCOS as this will boost ovulation and can help sort out the cycle. It did boost my progesterone levels to indicate ovulation, but I still didn't fall pregnant. I only took this for 6 cycles, as if it hasn't worked by then, it won't work. We carried on trying anyway, and just thought it would happen eventually. I'd left it 2 years before getting investigated, and it took another 2 years before I spotted a letter in my Dr's file saying that DH also had abnormal sperm with poor motility. This was the point that I finally realised it wasn't going to happen naturally, and gave up nagging my Dr to put me forward for further tests. It's only this year that we've decided to go for IVF (was too poor and too scared before), and it's only because we're having it done in Italy where DH is from, that we can afford it.

I always felt like more could be done, to avoid IVF, but I think you have to come to terms with it in your own time and way. It is one of the hardest decisions I've ever made though.

Good luck with it all

xx

[stonemonkey]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your replies!! Its nice to know that Im not alone in all this, although its not nice to know that people have problems obviously!


Michelle:what kind of lifestyle changes can I make? My husbands sperm count was very high - its the motility thats the problem for us - so maybe i could help us out - or maybe im clinging to straws? did the baby thing work out for you yet?!

Jools:Im sorry you have had such a problematic time! I really wish you all the best and hope it works out for you now you have decided to try IVF. Good luck and fingers crossed - at least you realise that all is not lost! Keep me informed!

Thanks again

TONIxx