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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Any other non-invasive ways....
to investigate whether there is anything wrong with your fertility? I am 30 and we have had five unsuccessful cycles. Husband had sperm analysis and everything was fine. My doctor said that I cannot do anything until I have 12 unsuccessful cycles. Is there anything that I can request that could potentially fill me in on why we haven't had a BFP yet?
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Posted 6/29/08 8:26 PM  |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
If you are 30, you should be able to see an RE after 6 months.
There are a few blood tests that could also be done. CD 3 testing & CD 21 testing come to mind. Also an HSG if necessary (wouldn't categorize that under non-invasive though)
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| Posted 6/29/08 8:28 PM |
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KrisT
Two Boys for Me!!
Member since 1/07 5213 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by maybeamommy
If you are 30, you should be able to see an RE after 6 months.
There are a few blood tests that could also be done. CD 3 testing & CD 21 testing come to mind. Also an HSG if necessary (wouldn't categorize that under non-invasive though)
I agree. I am 28, but after my 6th unsuccessful cycle of TTC, my doctor recommended that we begin fertility testing. We actually were supposed to start last month, but because of vacation, it was pushed off to this month. We are starting with a sperm analysis, CD3 and CD 21 testing, an HSG and a sonogram.
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| Posted 6/29/08 8:32 PM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by KrisT
Posted by maybeamommy
If you are 30, you should be able to see an RE after 6 months.
There are a few blood tests that could also be done. CD 3 testing & CD 21 testing come to mind. Also an HSG if necessary (wouldn't categorize that under non-invasive though)
I agree. I am 28, but after my 6th unsuccessful cycle of TTC, my doctor recommended that we begin fertility testing. We actually were supposed to start last month, but because of vacation, it was pushed off to this month. We are starting with a sperm analysis, CD3 and CD 21 testing, an HSG and a sonogram.
I wish my doctor would be more like yours! She wants us to wait until the one-year mark since I am young, and my PCP said the same thing. We did the SA just to rule that out, but couldn't go further than that since we can't get the referral that we'd need to see a specialist.
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| Posted 6/29/08 8:33 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
If you want to start checking it out, I would see another doctor so you can get your referral.
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| Posted 6/29/08 9:22 PM |
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KrisT
Two Boys for Me!!
Member since 1/07 5213 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by maybeamommy
Posted by KrisT
I agree. I am 28, but after my 6th unsuccessful cycle of TTC, my doctor recommended that we begin fertility testing. We actually were supposed to start last month, but because of vacation, it was pushed off to this month. We are starting with a sperm analysis, CD3 and CD 21 testing, an HSG and a sonogram.
I wish my doctor would be more like yours! She wants us to wait until the one-year mark since I am young, and my PCP said the same thing. We did the SA just to rule that out, but couldn't go further than that since we can't get the referral that we'd need to see a specialist.
I was really surprised that my doctor was that aggressive - I don't think she is the norm when it comes to this. I think most doctors make you wait the full year if you are under 30.
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| Posted 6/29/08 9:23 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by KrisT
Posted by maybeamommy
Posted by KrisT
I agree. I am 28, but after my 6th unsuccessful cycle of TTC, my doctor recommended that we begin fertility testing. We actually were supposed to start last month, but because of vacation, it was pushed off to this month. We are starting with a sperm analysis, CD3 and CD 21 testing, an HSG and a sonogram.
I wish my doctor would be more like yours! She wants us to wait until the one-year mark since I am young, and my PCP said the same thing. We did the SA just to rule that out, but couldn't go further than that since we can't get the referral that we'd need to see a specialist.
I was really surprised that my doctor was that aggressive - I don't think she is the norm when it comes to this. I think most doctors make you wait the full year if you are under 30.
I always thought it was generally recommended that you wait 1 year if you're under 35 and 6 months if you're 35+ before going to the RE. 
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| Posted 6/29/08 10:50 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
First off LIE to the OB/GYN so you can get yourself to the RE faster. There is NO way for them to know how long you've been trying. I knew there was something wrong with me and I was tired of waiting and wasting time so I brought up seeing an RE to my OB/GYN and she gave me the referral.
When I first started TTC nothing was happening, my cycles were irregular, my OB/GYN put me on Clomid but they never really investigated what was wrong. It was such a total waste of time. After months of getting nowhere I became frustrated and down and was tired of the whole process. We stopped TTC at that point. When we started to try again I went in and told her we'd been trying for a while with no success (which was a lie.....we hadn't really been trying at that point) and I wanted to see an RE. I met with the RE in Sept. and was pregnant by January. It was the BEST thing I ever did!!
Lots of luck to you!!! 
Message edited 6/29/2008 11:22:08 PM.
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| Posted 6/29/08 11:19 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
I don't want to lie because then they may suggest unnecessary procedures that could have side effects. I have very regular cycles.
What is the point of CD3 CD27 bloodwork? What are they looking for?
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| Posted 6/30/08 9:30 AM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by SecretTTCer
I don't want to lie because then they may suggest unnecessary procedures that could have side effects. I have very regular cycles.
What is the point of CD3 CD27 bloodwork? What are they looking for?
You wouldn't have to worry about getting unnecessary procedures for 2 reasons. 1) You are in control of your own medical health and 2) Looooooong before you have a single procedure an RE is simply running tests to determine if there is a problem. (Blood work, sonograms, SA, etc.)
Here's the thing, if you suspect you may have a problem you don't want to waste valuable time waiting around hoping something will happen. I'm not saying lie to have any medical procedures done, lie about the length of time you have been TTC so that you can see a doctor who will investigate if you do indeed have any issues. You OB/GYN won't do much and they are not really equipped to handle IF issues, that is not their area of expertise BUT an RE can get to the bottom of why it's taking so long. The testing an RE would do has no side effects so there is nothing to worry about but they will be able to determine if you're ovulating, if you have any blockages, if you have eggs, the egg quality, if you have cysts or fibroids or anything else that might inhibit getting pregnant. They will also order a SA for your DH to make sure that everything is ok there too.
It's up to you how you want to handle yourself but I can tell you from experience that dealing with my OB/GYN was getting me nowhere and the best thing I did was see an RE. They monitored me with sonos, I knew exactly the moment that I was going to ovulate, and I was pregnant in 4 months. You have to decide for yourself what is acceptable in terms of how long you're willing to wait for it to happen before investigating if there is a problem. Good luck!! 
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| Posted 6/30/08 10:14 AM |
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newwife08
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 1001 total posts
Name:
Indira
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by Hofstra26
Posted by SecretTTCer
I don't want to lie because then they may suggest unnecessary procedures that could have side effects. I have very regular cycles.
What is the point of CD3 CD27 bloodwork? What are they looking for?
You wouldn't have to worry about getting unnecessary procedures for 2 reasons. 1) You are in control of your own medical health and 2) Looooooong before you have a single procedure an RE is simply running tests to determine if there is a problem. (Blood work, sonograms, SA, etc.)
Here's the thing, if you suspect you may have a problem you don't want to waste valuable time waiting around hoping something will happen. I'm not saying lie to have any medical procedures done, lie about the length of time you have been TTC so that you can see a doctor who will investigate if you do indeed have any issues. You OB/GYN won't do much and they are not really equipped to handle IF issues, that is not their area of expertise BUT an RE can get to the bottom of why it's taking so long. The testing an RE would do has no side effects so there is nothing to worry about but they will be able to determine if you're ovulating, if you have any blockages, if you have eggs, the egg quality, if you have cysts or fibroids or anything else that might inhibit getting pregnant. They will also order a SA for your DH to make sure that everything is ok there too.
It's up to you how you want to handle yourself but I can tell you from experience that dealing with my OB/GYN was getting me nowhere and the best thing I did was see an RE. They monitored me with sonos, I knew exactly the moment that I was going to ovulate, and I was pregnant in 4 months. You have to decide for yourself what is acceptable in terms of how long you're willing to wait for it to happen before investigating if there is a problem. Good luck!!
What she said...if you don't lie about the time and there is a problem, you won't have any important tests done for a year...are you willing to waste that time?
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| Posted 6/30/08 10:17 AM |
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babyfaith
Onward and Upward!
Member since 2/08 3210 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
I started seeing a RE at 32 years old after 6 months of TTC using temping, OPK, charting CM, and perfectly timed BD. I also had a few long cycles and that made me concerned. My GYN wanted me to wait a year but I disagreed and went ahead to the RE. The SA, sonogram and blood tests for you are the first line of testing. CD 3 blood test for you will tell how well your ovaries are functioning and the quality of your eggs. Testing after ovulation (around CD 21) will tell if your progesterone is adequate in the luteal phase for implantation.
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| Posted 6/30/08 10:40 AM |
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BlueDiamonds
mommy to 3 boys
Member since 2/07 3885 total posts
Name:
proud mommy
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
five cycles may seem like a lot but it's really not, considering there is only about 25% chance of getting pregnant each cycle. and that's if you time it correctly.
what are you doing to track your cycles and timing BD? if nothing, you may not be BDing at the right time. if you haven't read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, i would highly recommend you pick it up and read it before you start to worry that something might be wrong.
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| Posted 6/30/08 10:48 AM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Call your insurance carrier. You may not need a referral at all. - I didn't.
I'm 29 and took it upon myself to cosult an RE. 2 OBGYNs gave me complete opposite opinions and told me I had to wait - I wasn't interested in waiting around a year. - My cycles had always been normal, and since coming off the BCP were totally out of whack - ..........
Also, YOU don't do anything YOU are not comfortable with. No MD is going to force you into a procedure. The decision is always yours. -
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| Posted 6/30/08 10:53 AM |
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Rycois
Blessed with 2blue/2pink
Member since 12/05 13341 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by Chai77
Posted by KrisT
Posted by maybeamommy
Posted by KrisT
I agree. I am 28, but after my 6th unsuccessful cycle of TTC, my doctor recommended that we begin fertility testing. We actually were supposed to start last month, but because of vacation, it was pushed off to this month. We are starting with a sperm analysis, CD3 and CD 21 testing, an HSG and a sonogram.
I wish my doctor would be more like yours! She wants us to wait until the one-year mark since I am young, and my PCP said the same thing. We did the SA just to rule that out, but couldn't go further than that since we can't get the referral that we'd need to see a specialist.
I was really surprised that my doctor was that aggressive - I don't think she is the norm when it comes to this. I think most doctors make you wait the full year if you are under 30.
I always thought it was generally recommended that you wait 1 year if you're under 35 and 6 months if you're 35+ before going to the RE.
This is what I have been told. 6 months of trying if your 35+.
It took us 7 cycles to conceive my first pregnancy (I am 30) and 3 my second. Sometimes it just takes a little longer, but if you have concerns you can insist on having CD3 bloodwork done or lie about how long you've been trying.
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| Posted 6/30/08 12:16 PM |
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futuremommy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/07 840 total posts
Name:
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Posted by BlueDiamonds
five cycles may seem like a lot but it's really not, considering there is only about 25% chance of getting pregnant each cycle. and that's if you time it correctly.
what are you doing to track your cycles and timing BD? if nothing, you may not be BDing at the right time. if you haven't read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, i would highly recommend you pick it up and read it before you start to worry that something might be wrong.
Exactly what I was going to say. I think it's best to educate yourself about what happens in YOUR body before embarking on all sorts of unnecessary tests. Also, the more information you can present to your doctor about how your body works the quicker they can figure out what may be wrong - if anything - and what exactly needs to be done about it.
Good luck!
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| Posted 6/30/08 12:46 PM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Any other non-invasive ways....
Also, what is "trying" in your opinion? if you have been seriously charting and you know when you're ovulating, then yes, i might be a bit worried after 5 cycles, nothing.
if you're kinda of winging it and not really charting, they say after a year to consult an RE.
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| Posted 6/30/08 2:54 PM |
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