GP or Fertility Specialist?

[~bonnie~]

I have a history of endo, so 3 months ago (6 month into TTC) I went to see my Gyn as I was worried the endo was affecting things.

My Gyn put us through 3 tests - Sperm test for hubby, HyCoSy and blood to test hormone levels for me. We got the results today:

Sperm test is fine. HyCoSy showed clear tubes & sound ovaries. Hormone levels fine.

BUT my charts show I'm ovulating around day 21 and have a luteal phase of about 11 days. She mentioned that our options at this stage are: keep trying, clomid, or washing sperm & having them inserted into uterus at right time of month.

I would like to try clomid as I think the main reason we haven't conceived yet is the late ovulation and short luteal phase. My Gyn gave us a card for a fertility specialist, but said he'll probably tell us to keep trying for another 6 months before we try anything else. I think I have a good case for trying Clomid and am eager to 'get this baby show on the road' so I was wondering about approaching my GP since I don't want to spend $$$ seeing a fertility specialist only to hear 'come back in 6 months'.

Does anyone have any advice? Can GP's proscribe Clomid? Should I wait another 3 months until we are officially 'infertile'? Should I just get over the $$$ and go see the specialist? Not sure what to do.

Thanks,
Bonnie

[briggsy's girl]

not a lot of GP's can prescribe clomid - but your gyne can! not sure why they didn't do it for your already...

from an FS point of view, they are unlikely to do much until you've been trying 12 months, but if you have a referral from gyne or GP they'll at least talk to you and let you know where you stand...


HTH's

[satya]

I don't think they class an 11 day LP as short. I think it's only if it's under 10 days.

Normally they prescribe clomid if you aren't ovulating. Putting you on it when you do ovulate could result in multiples if you do fall pregnant.

I'd wait til you've been trying for 12 months before getting a FS opinion.

I had a shortish LP - 12 days - but it did not stop me from conceiving. I did notice however that I would get pregnant when I O'd earlier in the cycle - say CD12 instead of my usual CD15 or CD16. Of course I had no control over when I O'd - I just had to wait for that to happen. The first BFP last year came after 9 months of TTC. Sometimes we just have to be little patient.

[Amaunet]

My FS was happy to see us after 6months serious of TTC. It was DH who appeared to have issues but he also did other tests on me (blood, ultrasound etc) If there is a problem, waiting won't help. Our FS gave us lots of things to try while waiting for our private health to kick in - which ultimately worked for us! It doesn't hurt to get more options and information.

[LG]

GPs can't prescribe clomid.

I'm a big fan of the drug - helped me make my 2 little boys!

[~bonnie~]

I don't think they class an 11 day LP as short. I think it's only if it's under 10 days.

11 days LP is an average. It's varied anywhere between 8 and 13 days in the last 9 months and I've never ovulated before day 19 (usually about day 21) with a cycle lasting anywhere between 28 and 38 days.

Normally they prescribe clomid if you aren't ovulating. Putting you on it when you do ovulate could result in multiples if you do fall pregnant.

Now I'm confused. I thought clomid was also to bring forward ovulation if you're ovulating too late and having a short LP? (did know about the multiples though)

[myson]

My GP did prescribe clomid for me. Diferent states may have different rules about this... but my GP is allowed to prescribe it. The chemist did a check to see if he was allowed before handing it out too. And it worked first go for me. At 34 I was really keen for this baby to hurry up. But i wasnt Oing at all without it.

HTH

[briggsy's girl]

certain GP's have undergone extra "training" i guess you'd say, and are able to hand out scripts for clomid. clomid isn't JUST for those that don't ovulate at all - it can help to improve hormone levels before and afer ovulation to make them more appropriate for conception and implantation. if your gyne isn't helping, get GP to refer you to FS - won't hurt to talk to them...

[AJC]

I'm a clomid fan. I started charting around May 07 which is when I noticed a short LP, I fell pg 2 months later only to m/c that Bub (my second m/c). We then had a 4 month break to do some tests to see if there was a reason for my m/c's (which there wasn't) and although I Ov on my own my Ob put me on Clomid. I started on a low dose of 50mg from cd2-6. I fell pg on the second cycle with this little munchkin who is due in 9 weeks. I honestly believe that the clomid helped to give my hormones a helping hand to a) fall pg & b) stay pg. It's your personal choice but I don't regret any of the $$$ that DH and I have spent so far to fulfill our dream of having a baby. Your Gyn should be able to prescribe clomid for you. Good luck and I hope to see a BFP next to your name soon!!!!