"Give it at least a year...."
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| Sun, 03-01-2009 - 9:07am |
I've heard that a lot of docs won't even consider there might be a problem until you've been trying for at least a year. I actually had a friend who went to the doc, and they wouldn't even start any blood tests, lab work, etc. for over 6 months. It turns out that by the time they figured out that there WAS a problem, and what it was, it was almost a year down the road. I felt such frustration for her, the whole situation was so sad.
I totally understand that not every couple conceives immediately, and its probably very common to have to try for awhile, even when everything is totally fine with both partners. But for someone to tell you to wait up to a year, I think that's crazy.
So are these doctors just being conservative, and trying to avoid having to medicate us and do any procedures that might be unnecessary? Or do a lot of us, such as my dear friend, end up wasting precious time because of this?
For those of you who are on clomid or ANYTHING else to assist you in this process, how long did you try before the doctor agreed to look into what the problem might be?
TIA!

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To be honest, it TOTALLY depends on the dr. I had been off bcp since July and was charting (mainly temping), but we hadnt started officially trying till November or so, but when I went in for my yearly in January I showed my dr my charts and how I was only having periods every two months or so. She went ahead and ran some blood tests and ordered DH to do a SA and when we got those back she went ahead and put me on Clomid the next cycle. So really, it didnt take my dr long to decide to get going on things, even though we had only been trying a couple months. So if you have something to show (like charting) or can tell them the history of your cycles, that helps.
But again, I really think it depends on the dr. In fact, this dr I just switched to because in Dec I had called my old one to ask some questions and she kinda gave me the "wait a little longer then we'll address it." So my advice is, do what makes you feel comfortable. For me, I knew I wasnt ovulating regularly so I went to a dr that acknowledged that and didnt sit around. Hope that helps...good luck!
~Lilli
TTC since Nov 2008
02/11/09 First cycle of Clomid, 50mg, CD2-6
Thanks for the info....we haven't been trying long but I do have some concerns. I'd hate to feel like he was blowing me off.
For primary infertility (that is, infertility when TTC your first) the going rate is to wait a year before beginning testing. This is not only the Dr's choice - many insurance companies will not cover infertility testing before
Thanks for the input! I was just wondering what everyone's experience has been. I'm sure every situation is unique, depending on medical reasoning and the doctor you have, etc.
For me, this our second month TTC, and now I know the first month prob. shouldn't even really count, because I think we missed the window of opportunity. So maybe this our first month where we even have a shot. This is my first month charting, and I'm waiting to ovulate. However, I had some spotting the other day, which is NOT normal for me. In the past year, I've also had a few cycles that were way longer than is normal for me, and have no idea why. My temps are a little erratic also. I guess I'm just afraid there MIGHT be something wrong, even though I have no idea that there really is.
I have an appt. with a new doc on Tues, so I'll explain everything and see what happens.
Thanks everyone.
I think it truly depends on your doctor. In my DH's case and mine we did fertility testing before we even got married and decided to TTC. Our doctor was 100% for preventative procedures, so we went through with all the testing (Insurance was willing to cover 75% of expense because of history of PCOS). If your doctor is outright denying you the right to investigate further I'd maybe search around for one who's more open to helping you and giving you peace of mind...On the Insurance company note, for some of the Basic testing (sperm count/motility, US of ovaries) it is not very expensive out of pocket and should be considered by the doctor, that right there can detect general issues.
Cycle 1: Ovulated Feb 21st with Metformin (under treatment for 5 years), Fish Oil, Nature's Way Prenatal Vitamins and Clear Blue OPK's.
Edited 3/1/2009 1:58 pm ET by kinny09
I agree with Furke.
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