r/TTC_UK

I’m F 34, 35 in 3 weeks and my partner is M33. TTC1, cycle 8.

Most of my friends got pregnant really quickly and easily, and weren’t even trying in a lot of cases either, so I wrongly assumed it’d be quick and easy for me too. I’ve been tracking for the last 6 months, we’ve both been taking supplements, reduced alcohol consumption, have sex every 2 days and we’ve had no success, my period roles around like clockwork every month, and this mornings pregnancy test was negative and I have all the pre period symptoms today. I contacted the GP today and they are ordering blood tests and a scan for me as I’ve had previous ovarian cysts and endo symptoms and my partner is going to have a sperm analysis.

My best friend told me she is pregnant with her second a couple of months ago and I’m happy for her but also sad and dreading the next social occasions we have coming up because she’ll be far enough along to announce and everyone also knows I’ve been trying with no luck. Since my friend told me she’s pregnant, she’s not reached out to me privately once, although still responds to things in our group chat. My female friends all tell me about other people’s success stories and how long it took their friends when I discuss my disappointments and worries.

I’m trying to keep positive and not putting my life on hold, I’ve taken up some new hobbies and am going to shows, booking holidays, etc, all the things I really enjoy about my life but every month around my period I feel really ashamed and am feeling increasingly lonely because I don’t feel like I can talk to my friends without them telling me it’s normal and it’ll be fine. I know we haven’t been trying that long and the statistics about healthy couples conceiving within a year but I only really know people, or have heard stories, about people who’ve gotten pregnant really quickly or have needed IVF so my view feels a bit skewed.

I’ve cancelled my plans today to take some time out to feel sad but how do other people manage the disappointment and uncertainty?

Hi all,

Does any have experience with Kind IVF? We initially tried though LWC but was suggested by the doctor to go through this route and they seem very confident this should work. I’m 30 and my wife is 26, just don’t want to spend money if it’s less likely to work.

I heard that the BMI requirement for NHS funded IVF is <30 and my BMI is now 28-29. Today I have an appointment with my consultant that going to send out the fertility referral, she asked me to lose more weight and mentioned that only BMI <25 would be eligible for NHS funded IVF, the BMI 30 should be for ovulation induction treatment only. I feel so depressed and stressful because of her words. I wonder if this is the NHS latest requirement or her misunderstanding...We are based in Birmingham and she is looking at a referral to the BWH fertility centre.

My husband and I have been ttc for a year, we are both 37. We went to our GP in Feb, my husband was referred for SA and the GP ordered CD 1-5 blood test for me. We were also referred to Care Fertility clinic, we are based in W Yorkshire. We had our first consultation with Care recently and I was told that I should get a HyCoSy done but that I would have to pay for it privately as my husband is on a visa here. For the record, I’m a British citizen. I am confused about this process as I thought for investigation, I would be referred to a gynaecologist at the hospital, rather than straight to the fertility clinic. We are also not sure if we would want to pursue IVF at all, at this stage I just want to know if there are any problems that are stopping us from conceiving. If anyone has any insight into this, I would find it v helpful - thanks.

Just a brief vent/rant. Why does the NHS not care about progesterone when so many of us have had low progesterone genuinely impact our fertility? Is the research really not supportive of using it? I don't get why they are just not interested. The second I went privately for short luteal phase and low progesterone, they gladly prescribed it. It's so bizarre and frustrating.

Hello ladies, first time here.

I had unprotected sx with my bf before and maybe during ovulation using pull out method. We never had any risk and I’m sure he doesn’t even produce pre cum because I see it with my eyes he’s always dry.

So every month around ovulation my breast are sore until AF comes. This month I didn’t feel anything. At 6/7/8 dpo I had some light cramping. 9dpo I felt a pulling going from the pubic mound going down to the vagina (felt it above not inside the vagina) and lasted a few seconds. My period usually comes around 14 but this month at 12dpo I had minimal brown spotting. 13dpo I had cramps and brown/dark red blood. The blood I mostly saw it coming doing when I was sitting in the toilette and some in the pad. This lasted 1 days that I could see blood coming down but it was kind of solid.

Day 2 mostly brownish with some dark red but not like day 1, it was lighter more brown and still some cramps and then in the evening it stopped.

Day 3/4 just brown spotting with few strings but minimal. And bloated. Yesterday at work I felt extremely tired.

And this morning I whipe and still see some dark dark brown.

Could that have been implantation ? My period always lasts 5 days and is way more heavier. 🫩

Hello! Looking to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation because I’m feeling a bit stuck waiting for things to improve.

I started fertility investigations due to a short luteal phase (7–8 days), and testing then found late ovulation, a thin endometrial lining, and elevated TSH/underactive thyroid. My doctor said the thyroid issue could be affecting ovulation and fertility, and that we likely can’t move forward with ovulation induction/medicated cycles until my TSH is below 2.5.

I’ve recently started levothyroxine and was hoping it would help regulate things, but this cycle actually seems worse - I didn’t ovulate at all and it's a much shorter cycle than usual.

Just wondering, anyone else been in the same boat and if so:

How long did it take for levothyroxine to improve your TSH/cycles?

Did things get worse before they got better? Are we talking one cycle or more like several months?

Would really appreciate hearing any experiences or advice from others who’ve gone through this🙏

Husband and I (both 32) expecting to start our first IVF (+ ICSI) cycle in August. We’re very fortunate we can fund this privately and looking at clinics but my head has been spiralling a bit since then.

Anyone who has gone through it, what advice do you have for someone about to begin preparing? How did you prepare yourself physically and mentally? How did you protect your relationship? What do you wish you’d known at the start?

I feel very clueless and helpless as I don’t know anyone personally who has gone through it. Any advice is very welcome!!

Hi! For various NHS admin mistake reasons, I have had my progesterone tested two days in a row, neither of which are 7 DPO (I have to have regular monitoring blood tests for an unrelated health condition I have, and for some reason the hormone ones were attached to these despite wrong timing – & another admin error meant I had to repeat them the next day). By my calculation, these were done on 4 DPO and 5 DPO, though there is a possibility its 5DPO and 6DPO. However, the results show my progesterone trending down, when my understanding is it should be rising to peak mid luteal phase (eg 7DPO):

• 4 DPO (taken morning ~9am): 25 nmol/L
• 5 DPO (taken afternoon ~3pm): 19.1 nmol/L (I think this converts to 6 ng/mL)

When I saw the first test result, I was pretty pleased as I had been worried I might be having anovulatory cycles, and while the lab result guidance says >30 nmol/L indicates ovulation has occurred, I think I just assumed that given it was early, it would continue to rise to hit its peak in a few days, and that 25 was close enough to 30 to suggest that this would happen, particularly as the test was done earlier than they're meant to be. However, the fact it's dropped LOWER the next day, rather than rising or even staying around the same, has me worried and confused. Does this mean it's likely I didn't ovulate?

Obv, I wouldn't really have asked for these blood tests at this point in my cycle, or twice in two days, but as I say it happened because of a string of frustrating admin areas, and now I have the numbers I keep trying to work out what they mean!

CW: Miscarriage

I need to vent a little bit, and also get some perspective if anyone else has had a similar experience.

I'm 35 and my husband and I have been TTC for a year now. I did become pregnant in January (cycle 12 of trying) but unfortunately miscarried at 5.5 weeks. We kept trying and I've had two more unsuccessful cycles since then.

My husband saw a GP last week and has been referred to a fertility clinic for a semen analysis.

I went to the GP today (same practice, different doctor). My experience was very different to my husband's.

To begin with, the Dr fixated on my miscarriage, reassuring me that these things can happen, that is unlikely I'll have another etc. Which is fine, but I had to remind him that this appointment wasn't about the miscarriage, I wanted to discuss fertility testing.

He then started telling me that, as I have technically conceived, fertility testing would be unnecessary. This goes against what I've read online, that you should start fertility testing after a year without a successful pregnancy.

He told me to keep on trying and was all set to end the appointment there, until I told him my husband had already been referred to a fertility clinic. He seemed quite annoyed to hear this, and then said he would book me in for a routine blood test "to check your hormones, since your husband is being checked anyway".

The blood test is booked for this Saturday. The Dr didn't tell me exactly which hormones they would be testing (I should have asked, but it felt like he just wanted me out of there). I checked the appointment notes on the NHS app afterwards and apparently it's to check LH and FSH. I ovulated last week, period due next week, so checking these things must be completely pointless?

I'm feeling really deflated tonight. Before the appointment getting the ball rolling on testing felt like a scary but positive step forward, now it feels like I need to battle to be taken seriously. Not to mention the double standard that my husband has been offered testing and I haven't!

Hi All,

Has anybody tried fertility friend? I have just started using it this month along side my Oura ring & Mira Hormone monitoring. My our ring says I am in my fertile window but FF says I am 3 DPO? I feel a bit stuck because Mira has not picked up my ovulation but that’s happened to me in the past and I have been pregnant. I am feeling a bit confused because if I am 3 DPO I should insert my progesterone but I don’t then want to mess up the Mira hormone monitor by thinking my natural progesterone is higher. Sorry I am just feeling all over the place. This would be our 2nd cycle
Trying after my ectopic surgery in December.

Hi. Does anyone have any idea what to expect at the recurrent miscarriage consultation appointment?

I'm in the UK. I was referred in July 2025 and was told I should receive an appointment next month.

My blood test panel and ultrasound were all done after my 2nd miscarriage in July 2025. Only TSH was flagged up but as T3 was within range, I was not treated. Then in February 2026 I became pregnant, was retested for TSH (4.9) and was prescribed 75mcg levothyroxine and 400mg progesterone twice daily. Unfortunately I miscarried again in April. I'm 43 so I know my age is a major factor.

What should I expect at this appointment? I know they'll go through my test results but as it's been 10 months, will they be accurate? Will they offer more testing?

2 years into this and so heartbroken

I just had to cancel my FET which was just 2 days away💔

I took my progesterone in oil shots for 3 days. 1st shot was in evening @ 7 PM. 2nd shot was 12 hours later (7am). 3rd shot following day at 7 am.

I began to develop fever/chills the same time everyday, for the same amount of time. From 12-7 PM.

I was also unable to move and in debilitating pain in my
butt. I couldn’t climb stairs, bend down, sit , get out of car ect.

My dr. said I probably am sick but I just don’t think I am. I stopped taking the shots yesterday AM and have been fever free since. My butt is still sore but the flu/like symptoms are gone.

We are not able to do natural cycles due to Lupron suppression , so the PIO shots are inevitable. However I feel strongly about the dangers of fevers or tylenol daily for 12 weeks into a pregnancy ( if I made it that far).

Please help me. Any advice or if you can relate please join the thread or we can message privately

Thank you.

Hey! 👋🏼

Quick question for anyone who has used CARE Fertility for IVF, did you opt to add on CAREmaps AI? We’re currently in the process of progressing to IVF with CARE Fertility via NHS pathway, currently planning to start in July. Our consultant mentioned CAREmaps AI in our appointment and they have sent through the leaflet and it sounds great but curious about real life experiences and whether it’s truly worth what we have been quoted. I obviously don’t want to gamble on anything and desperately open to try anything but also mindful that women have been having IVF successfully for decades without it…

TIA xx

Hello everyone,

Do you have any good fertility recommendations in Warwickshire/ Leicestershire area? We are thinking of getting some tests done privately. I have read very good things about Dr Jeve in Birmingham at P4 fertility.

I have stopped BC last June and was suffering from hypothalamic amenorrhoea until end of November. Had 4 cycles so far which are still quite long, but with a short luteal phase (between 5-8 days). Progesterone tests have been low twice 7 DPO as expected. PCOS has been ruled out and vaginal ultrasound scan showed minor adenomyosis. I am still not sure if my body is still just adjusting from BC and hypothalamic amenorrhoea or if there is something else underlying. I also feel we are loosing time.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated!

I’ve been trying to temp this cycle but my mornings are… not consistent at all.

Some days I wake up around 6:30, other days it’s closer to 7, 8 depending on work and how late I slept. I know you’re supposed to take your temp at the same time every day, but that just isn’t happening for me.

I still take it as soon as I wake up, but now I’m second guessing whether the data even means anything if the timing keeps changing.

I don’t want to give up on temping because I do want that confirmation piece, but I’m not sure if I’m just collecting random numbers at this point.

Has anyone made this work with inconsistent wake-up times?

Hey all,

My partner and I were TTC naturally but that unfortunately, due to endometriosis, I had my fallopian tubes removed so IVF is now our only option. When I was TTC naturally, I had a huge box of ovulation sticks and some pregnancy tests too. Now I don't know what I do with them? Do I give them away in a charity haul or throw them away? Vinted won't accept and our TTC journey has been a secret from friends and family so I'm really not sure what to do with them. It just feels like such a waste.

I have 77 Easy @ Home ovulation sticks and 6 Easy @ Home pregnancy tests all in date I told 2028.

Any suggestions on what I could do with them?

Hello! I’m hoping somebody may be able to help me here.

My average cycle length is 26 days. I got a positive OPK on Friday and tested daily from Saturday which lightened each day. Fast forward to today (Tuesday) and the 2nd line is almost non-existent.

I’ve been tracking my BBT and have not seen a surge, despite my positive OPK being 4 days ago. I know ovulation can be up to 36 hours after the positive OPK, but surely that would not explain the lighter OPK tests. This is my 3rd cycle TTC and I’m concerned that this may be a cycle with no ovulation :( any help would be greatly appreciated!

I’m just trying to mentally prepare myself, I have my first appointment at the end of the month. I just realised my doctor didn’t get my referral requested until after my recent birthday so it seems I might be more limited when it comes to whether I could get 3 rounds or 1.

I have focal adenomyosis, a consistently very short luteal phrase (6-8days) which 400mg progesterone suppositories (vaginal pessaries) did nothing EXCEPT give me a fibroid. (I got them privately by an OBGYN)

From some tests I have had done I also have higher estrogen. I was told my thyroid is good and my AMH. My partners sperm and health are all great according to some tests we did.

I kinda hoped I could just need clomid to bring on my ovulation earlier and maybe more progesterone to help it stick. Obviously no one wants to do IVF but I’m trying to prepare myself because I read on Instagram that often times the nhs push IVF in some cases. I know no one can tell for sure but should I be prepared for that given my circumstances?

I’ve just seen that the hospital I was reviewed to has the worst reviews out of this side of London.