Not to bring up a sore subject....

But how many months has everyone been TTC?

Lately, I feel like I'm seeing a lot more posts about people going to RE and I'm confused as to how long you should TTC before consulting with one. When I went to my ob/gyn the other week for a UTI she said it was normal for someone my age (30) to TTC for up to a year and then if after a year nothing, she'll start looking into other steps. But she never mentioned a RE. We're going into month 4 of trying. At what point (time wise) did everyone start to make appts with the RE - or if you not hooked up with an RE yet, how much longer are you going to wait?

Again, I know this is such a sore subject for all of us...the waiting and trying is a killer! I don't mean to offend anyone or make anyone feel badly. I just wanted to get a little more insight. TIA!

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

we are going into our 3rd cycle

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

We've been trying for 5 months.. I only went to an RE early B/c I have Endo & I have had a m/c...

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

My history in a nutshell...
DC conceived quickly and naturally.
Got pregnant last fall, miscarried around 10 weeks.
Have been trying ever since--this month marks a year.

I did visit an RE for the first time this month. Don't have a specific gameplan; we're just going through some preliminary testing.

I think the "rule of thumb" is to visit a specialist after 6 months if you're 35 or over; a year if you're under 35. If you already suspect you'll have a problem, you may want to go right away. I also think that the internet makes you a bit crazy--try not to worry about what everyone else is doing (ETA...did that sound b!tchy I didn't mean it to...just don't assume there's going to be a problem. The whole thing can be stressful enough!! Trust me, I know!)

and

Message edited 2/12/2010 4:07:06 PM.

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

We are going on our 11th month of TTC, 10th month of actually trying (had to take off one month since I was taking Provera).

We started seeing an RE at the 6 month mark. My OB suggested we see on based on a few issues I was/am having.

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

We have been TTC technically since May of 09 which is technically 9 months. I started seeing an RE on the 6 th month but its because I started temping and I realized that I wasn’t ovulating. I was also getting way more +OPKs than normal so I knew something was wrong. I went to the ob/gyn and she gave me clomid but no monitoring or even any instruction as to when to come back. So I decided if I was going to go the route of fertility meds I was at least going to be monitored to make sure it’s working. If I was ovulating regularly and just not getting PG im not sure if I would’ve gone to an RE so quickly.

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

I'm never sure how to answer this...went off pill in May 2009--planned to start "trying" in July, though we weren't preventing during May and June. So while we were "trying" all summer, I had really long cycles and learned I wasn't ovulating. I finally O'd late September.
So, I've only five cycles since I started O'ing again--4 of them with with an LP of 10 days or less (9). This last one was 11 days so things are looking up

Really, it's been 9 frustrating months!

Message edited 2/12/2010 4:36:22 PM.

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

Technically this is our 4th month and I saw an RE a month ago..... which ... is VERY quick, I know... and I'm 25 years old.

The reason I moved on it so quickly was I had very bad AF problems as a teenager and was told at that point that I likely had PCOS. I went on the pill and was fine for 10 years but when I came off, I started temping which showed I never ovulated and also never got AF. After 2 months of nothing, I made an appointment with my OB (a different one than I had seen as a teen back when I had issues) and he was TOTALLY dismissive- he said I just had to wait it out and refused to look at any of my paper work, past sonos,etc that had all my medical history.

I decided to take matters into my own hands and went to an RE who said it was good I came when I did because otherwise I would have just wasted time.......


My decision to see an RE was largely based on my history of having issues and KNOWING going into this whole TTC world that I probably had PCOS and was going to have issues........

It's hard to say what I would do if I was not in this position and had NORMAL cycles... but I would probably wait it out at least 8 or 9 months and then speak to my OB about potential issues..........

Good luck!!!!

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

The rule of thumb is to see an RE if you've been trying for 1 year and are under the age of 35. If you're 35 or over and have been trying for 6 months then you should see an RE.

We are in our 7th cycle of TTC and I am going to see an RE in a couple of weeks. The reason I am going now instead of waiting one year is because when I went for my annual exam with my OB/Gyn and told him my cycles are 40-42 days and my DHs brother and father have sperm problems he gave me scripts for testing and Clomid. He said we need to tighten up my cycles and I don't want to start taking Clomid without being monitored so to an RE it is.

I know a year can seem like forever while TTC, but the truth of the matter is that is takes a perfectly healthy couple an average of 6-9 months, and sometimes longer, to get PG. Each cycle you only have something like a 20% chance of getting PG if everything is perfect (sperm and egg quality, timing, environment, etc.). It's tough, but if you and your DH have no known issues, try waiting it out before going to the doc. Also, your insurance may not even cover fertility treatments unless you've been trying for one year.

Good luck!

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

We have been trying for 5 months. I knew something might have been wrong with me and my GYN wasn't picking up on it. So i decided to see a RE and turns out I had PCOS which was what I was thinking but my GYN just said eh it will be fine here is some clomid and she never monitored me. I wasnt happy so I fig it wouldnt hurt to see a RE and god i am glad I did!

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

We've been trying for 5 months.

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

I have been trying 9 months in all I had a m/c in December. I saw an RE after 4 months because I was concerned about a cyst... I wanted to know as much as I could ( testing wise) before having to do anything. At first I was just monitored so I knew when and if I ovulated etc.. i found that very helpful.

I am now on clomid and IUI cycle round 2. This is my 3rd IUI cycle the first was unmedicated!

I knew what the book said but I had to do what I needed so I could be comfortable and you should too (-:

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

Going into month #8, had a chemical last month. Thought about going to see an RE but not there yet.

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

we have been TTC since June 08. I am over 35 and since we were on and off trying without protection we should of had something happen. I stalled on going to and RE cause I thought it would naturally happen, it didnt so round 2IUI with unknown infertility

Re: Not to bring up a sore subject....

went off the pill in Sept. So i guess its been about 5 months.