Going to a Reproductive Endocrinologist for the 1st time. What can I expect?

Question

After over a year of TTC, 4 cycles of Clomid, and little help from my OB/GYN, I have decided it's time to go a different route. I do not personally know anyone who has tried an RE. Can anyone give me a "heads up" on what to expect? My OB/GYN has not performed any bloodwork, ultrasounds, no procedures of any sort that I have been reading about. Friends tell me thier OB/GYN's have done all sorts of tests on them. Mine only gave me Provera and CLomid and sent me on my way. I feel like my hormones are all out of whack because I have not even had a period on my own since I stopped taking BCP's in March of 2007! I have to rely on Provera to get a period to start. Shouldn't that send up a "red flag" that there are some issues with my hormones? I feel like we are wasting precious time here (I'm 39). I chart my BBT's and sheck my cervical fluids, but it's the same almost every day. Nothing changes. Anyhow, what is it like at the RE or at a fertility center? Never thought I would have to go this route!

Answer 1

Excellent move going to an RE.  OBGYNs are not equipped to properly help people who have fertility issues.

The first thing you & your husband will have to do is fill out a questionnaire.  They will also speak to you.  They will also want a copy of your medical records from your OBGYN.  (Prehaps not that important for you since your doctor didn't do anything.)

They run many blood tests on you to determine any issues.  They will do the same on your husband.  

They will fully monitor one of your cycles.  They will take blood work and do an ultrasound on day 3.  They will do another ultrasound and blood work before they think you are going to ovulate.  Then once they think you have ovulated they will do blood work 7 days later.  The ultrasounds look at your ovaries and lining.  The blood work monitors your hormone levels (FSH, LH, Estroidal, Progesterone) at different times in your cycle.    However, see you do not get a period they may have to do something different first.  

They will do a sperm analysis from a sample of your husband's sperm.

Many times a procedure (either or possibly both-- sonohystogram or hysterosalpingogram) is also done.  The sonohystogram looks at your uterus to see if there are any abnormalities.    A hysterosalpingogram looks to see if your tubes are open.  

Depending on what they find.  They may do a few more tests.  Once they have gather all the info, they will go over the results with you and tell you what they think the best plan would be for you.  

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 2

Good luck and of course you should try it.  It might very well be the answer for you.  If you are healthy your age shouldn't matter.  You are still young enough to have a child.   Relax there and have all of your questions written down so you don't forget them.  My friend went to a Reproductive Endocrinologist and she has a beautiful baby boy now.  Happened faster than you think.  She was 42.  

Answer 3

You've only been TTC for a little more than a year and your OB already had you on four rounds of Clomid?  And without doing any bloodwork or other testing first?  I would definitely see the RE, but I would also think about finding another OB/GYN.  Sorry, but it really doesn't sound like they knew what they were doing.  Did they even bother testing your husband before putting you on Clomid?

When I had my visit with my RE, they took full family histories for my husband and me, and we met with the doctor to tell him what was going on (I had suffered several miscarriages).  They did bloodwork, including karyotyping and thyroid testing, and over my next few visits, I had ultrasound scans of my uterus and ovaries (to rule out any anatomical problems).  Typically what they will do is begin with the less invasive testing first, and if they feel further testing is warranted, they will move on.  They will most likely want to do a s***n analysis on your husband as well.

Best of luck to you, and don't be afraid to ask your RE questions.  That's what they are there for.