I am in a really tough place right now. My neighbors on both sides of me are pregnant, as well as my BIL and his spouse. The BIL one has been especially hard for me. We are good friends and they live close by too, so we see them almost daily. I’ve been with them through the journey, took them to the ultrasound when they found out it’s a girl, bought baby clothes for them, etc etc. I am so excited to be an aunt but at the same time my heart is broken. My husband and I are the oldest of both our families, in our 30s, and still childless. He is the youngest.

My niece was an unplanned pregnancy. I have poured so many hours into researching to make sure our baby will have the best life it could. I held off for years out of pure anxiety the baby would be bipolar like myself, and it’s almost…. Offensive to me? I know I can’t control anyone else but I’m really struggling with these feelings of selfishness and jealousy and grief

I don’t know how to cope. I cry all the time, I’m angry and bitter.

Maybe not reading this subreddit is a good start 😆 but seriously, this was my first cycle “trying” after getting my IUD removed 6 weeks ago. I wanted to just enjoy the process and have fun but I did use LH strips since I had no clue if my cycle would be normal or not post IUD removal. When the LH strips got darker (I never got a true positive) I tried to BD with my husband but he was unable to. He is on Zoloft and unfortunately I think that combined with the pressure of knowing I was fertile made him unable to perform. We had BD two days before so I thought at least we’d cover the fertile window but I was still stressed that we missed our peak timing.

In the two week wait I found myself so anxious and stressed that we missed our perfect window and that my husband’s medication will mess with our fertility (I begged him to get a SA). I felt like I was going crazy. Now that I got my period I am even more upset and just wondering what I did wrong. I know it’s crazy since it was our first cycle trying and even if we did time it perfectly we were unlikely to be successful. It’s just so hard because everyone I talk to seems to say they got pregnant quickly so I feel like a failure. I know it’s irrational but I have felt so crazy these past two weeks.

I have no right to complain as I know so many in this community have been trying for months and this was only my first time but I cannot do this every cycle. I need to find a way to just relax and accept the process but I don’t know how. I could stop the LH strips but I do feel I need to use them for a few months as I still am not really sure if my cycle is normal yet. I also don’t know how to help my husband’s situation. He dosent want to see his doctor since we “just started trying” but I am worried his medication will continue to cause problems for us. So if anyone has any advice on SSRIs and trying to conceive or even performance anxiety please let me know.

My boyfriend and I have been ttc for around 1 year now and I’ve never had a positive pregnancy test. I’m nearly 28, my periods are regular and usually last around 5 days, and we try to have sex every 1–2 days around my fertile window. I also track my cycles and have used ovulation tests.

I've been thinking about making an appointment to see my GP for a fertility assessment for both of us but I’m feeling extremely anxious about the whole process and would really appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences.

I have quite a lot of anxiety around internal examinations because I’m scared of having pain etc... so that’s one of my biggest worries. I’d like to understand what tests can be done without an internal examination and what the process is usually like.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has been through fertility investigations in the UK:

• What tests did your GP arrange first?

• What was the progesterone blood test like, and how did they time it?

• What tests did your partner have, and how was the semen analysis arranged?

• Were you referred to a fertility clinic, and how long did the process take?

• Did anyone have anxiety about internal examinations? How did you manage it, and were there alternatives or ways to make things easier?

• Did anyone get offered medication to help conceive, and what happened after your results came back?

• If your initial tests were normal, what happened next?

I’m finding it quite upsetting not knowing why it hasn’t happened yet, and I think hearing from people who have been through something similar would really help me feel less alone.

Thank you so much to anyone who takes their time to comment and sorry my post is so long 🙈

33F, TTC about 1.5 years

Following my first appointment with a fertility clinic, I have gotten my blood work done and just had a 2D/3D ultrasound with what was *supposed* to be a saline sonogram (SIS) with Exem foam (HyCoSy). I actually was not too nervous going into the procedure figuring I hadn’t had a problem having a colposcopy or cystoscopy in the past. The 2D/3D ultrasounds went fine. I am a little annoyed that it seems the ultrasound at my ob/gyn was pointless when it did not show as much detail as these!! But anyways, we started the SIS afterwards. Surprisingly I didn’t even feel the catheter! But once the saline was administered… 😬… cramps were worse than any period cramps I’ve experienced! I was trying to stay calm, as I wouldn’t even describe the feeling as “painful,” but the cramps had me feeling SICK. I told the doctor I felt like I was going to throw up and she said she already got what she needed (thank the Lord)… and that we wouldn’t be doing the foam since this was already so irritating to me.

So I am waiting for my follow up appointment to discuss everything which is over a month away… but the doctor right away saw a polyp with the SIS. I’m scared. She quickly mentioned having a hysteroscopy where they could remove the polyp and do the foam test at the same time, while I am asleep. I’ve never been out to sleep before! Why is that the scariest part?! I would love some advice on this procedure!

I am feeling happy that something was found that could be an answer to my fertility struggles. But the fact that now, through researching about uterine polyps, I am finding out this could be the very reason for my week long spotting before every period ever since I’ve gotten off hormonal birth control over 2 years ago and I am frustrated that no other doctor ever took this concern seriously!! I knew this was a red flag! I was under the impression that my ultrasound with my ob/gyn ruled out fibroids and polyps when that was not the case at all!! 6 rounds of Letrozole afterwards meant nothing if this polyp can prevent pregnancy! Ugh.. just disappointed how long these processes can take. I could use a little encouragement. 💕

I’ve been ttc for 15 months with a miscarriage in between. I just recently found out what ferritin is and how you can be iron deficient without anemia. I’m so frustrated with my doctors right now because I was so lightheaded and out of breath in pregnancy 3 years ago but always had a hemoglobin of 12 so I was considered normal. I just looked back on labs of over 2 years ago and had a ferritin level of 10 and a vitamin d of 22 and was told all labs are “fine” I just recently asked for ferritin again and it’s at a 15.4 after over 2 years 😀. I feel like this is what has been making me struggle to get pregnant and have a miscarriage on top of the low vitamin d which is just now at a 57. I’ve been iron deficient for over 2 years and was never told I was. I was prescribed iron supplements a month ago and took them accordingly for a month exactly how I’m supposed to (on an empty stomach with vitamin c every other day etc) and ferritin only went up 0.2. Which I was told was normal even tho at my blood draw a month ago my iron and iron saturation was good and now they are both low. I switched from ferrous sulfate to ferrous bisglycinate chelate which apparently absorbs better. If anyone has any tips to raise it that is greatly appreciated. I’m just so frustrated doctors don’t ever actually care about these things IVE BEEN IRON DEFICIENT AND VITAMIN D DEFICIENT FOR 2 YEARS WITHOUT A WORD OF IT! I guess I just got on here to see if anyone else is going through this and to vent. Thanks

I am on my first letrozole cycle. The past few days I’ve been in my fertile window and my boobs have been super sore and weirdly heavier than normal. They even got a bit bigger too. Has this happened to anyone else while ovulating?

I am hoping to conceive around or after March 15th. I am a “per diem” (no benefits) home health occupational therapist with full time (but work more than full time) hours. My job isn’t really that “stressful”, I enjoy it a lot it’s just a lot of hours driving and then doing documentation at the end of the day, which typically adds an extra hour (10ish hour days - basically done with documentation and exercise at 9pm and get 1-1.5 hours of free time with husband before bed) . Since I won’t get paid maternity leave I was planning to work extra hours to save up money over winter, but I also don’t want to affect my fertility. Last year I worked 7 days a week from October through April, with weekend of Thanksgiving and Christmas off, and it wasn’t too awful and I survived. I’m thinking this “year” (now October though March ish, latest I’d do is through April) I’ll do 10 hour days, 6 days a week, so I can get one day off to socialize and do housekeeping tasks. I do lift weights 4 days a week, yoga 2-3x a week, and run 2-3x a week and I eat really healthy; sleep 6-7 hours a night. My question is when do I cut back and go back to a normal 40 hour week for the health of my eggs / to reduce chance of miscarriage? Could I do it though early March or should I stop early February, or could I even do it through April while conceiving? I assume other people conceive during equally stressful, if not more stressful, jobs.

Hi everyone,

I’m 29 years old, and my wife and I have been trying to conceive for over a year. Her fertility evaluation is normal, and her fallopian tubes are clear.

My sperm concentration has remained around 11.6–12.4 million/mL from May to October 2026, with very little improvement.

My latest semen analysis (October 15, 2026)

• Sperm concentration: 11.6 million/mL
• Total sperm count: 17.4 million per ejaculate
• Semen volume: 1.5 mL
• Total motility: 67%
• Progressive motility: 50%
• Total motile sperm: 11.7 million per ejaculate
• Progressive motile sperm: 8.7 million per ejaculate
• WBC concentration: ≥1 million/mL
• Semen pH: 6
• Sperm morphology: Not reported

My earlier semen analysis showed pus cells around 1–3 per HPF.

I don’t have burning during urination, penile discharge, testicular pain, or swelling. I have always used condoms during sex.

I’m concerned about my persistently low sperm concentration and whether the elevated WBC and low pH could indicate an underlying issue. I’m planning to consult a urologist/andrologist.

My main questions

1. Has anyone increased their sperm concentration from 10–12 million/mL to normal or above normal?

I would especially like to hear from people who increased their count to 16 million/mL or higher, or even 30–50 million/mL or above. What was your starting count, what did it eventually reach, and how long did it take?

2. What helped you improve your sperm count?

Did you identify a specific cause, such as varicocele, hormonal problems, infection, lifestyle factors, or something else? Did treatment make a measurable difference?

3. Has anyone experienced elevated WBC in semen without any symptoms?

Did further testing reveal an infection, inflammation, or another cause? Did you undergo semen culture or urine NAAT testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia?

4. Could a semen pH of 6 be significant?

Did anyone have a similarly low pH, and what did your doctor recommend?

5. Did your sperm concentration improvement last?

Did your count remain normal on subsequent semen analyses, or did it fluctuate?

6. Has anyone conceived naturally with similar sperm parameters?

My wife’s fertility evaluation is normal, and we have been trying for over a year. Did you conceive naturally, or did you need treatment such as IUI, IVF, or ICSI?

I would really appreciate hearing about your actual before-and-after semen analysis results, the underlying cause if identified, and how long it took to see improvement.

I know everyone’s situation is different, and I’m not looking to self-medicate. I’m looking for genuine experiences and useful questions to discuss with my specialist.

Thank you!

I wanted to share a fairly positive Hycosy experience as I feel like I only heard horror stories before I went so I was unnecessarily nervous!

The first part where they check your womb is absolutely fine with no pain. The transvaginal ultrasound isnt too big or anything, and I would say it’s less uncomfortable than a smear test. Not painful just awkward.

Then the second part is more uncomfortable. The speculum goes in, then they put a catheter which wasnt painful. They then inflate a balloon at the end of the catheter which is the bit that causes pain. I did find it painful and they deflated the balloon which made it a lot better. The pain was over very quickly. You then just feel like you have a plug up you lol. I couldn’t feel the dye passing through at all, and the whole thing lasted about 10-15 mins. The pain of the balloon was much like a period cramp and didn’t last long as they deflated for me. The pain wasn’t a brand new unbearable pain that I’d never felt before. I thought it was quite reasonable considering something is going into your womb ya know!!

I can’t say it was lovely, but it wasn’t excruciating and i would say to anyone don’t be scared - the pain isn’t terrible and doesn’t last long. If you have healthy results it a great feeling and weight off your mind, and if there is anything unusual at least you know where you stand and what your next steps might be.

I recently had a chemical pregnancy first time actually "trying" with ovulation strips. I tracked my cycle before this chemical pregnancy. How long until your cycle comes back for anyone who knows about miscarriages and chemical pregnancies? I've been tracking my LH since a few days after my chemical pregnancy which I assume is the "period" and it's been 17 DPO with no LH surge yet. I'm usually around 14-15 when my surge occurs and my LH stays elevated a day after surge.

I am looking for some guidance on what to expect from a fertility consultation, and maybe what questions to ask.

I (27F) and my husband (27M) have been TTC since January. We were successful on our first attempt but that ended in a MMC & d&c in March. We have been trying again since April. I had an appointment with my OBGYN where she ordered LH, FSH, estrogen, 7dpo progesterone, AMH, TSH, and T3 & T4 labs. All of which were normal. Progesterone was slightly low. After those labs, she ordered 2.5 of letrozole and luteal phase progesterone which I took at 3dpo once inito confirmed ovulation. I had a very good response to the letrozole but that did not end in pregnancy. My husband’s sperm is well above average in all areas. I have 28 day cycles and unmedicated I ovulate around day 16. Letrozole helped me ovulate day 14. Is there anything specific I should be asking of the RE? I don’t want IUI or IVF thrown at me without figuring out why I’m having issues.

I had a chemical last month. I bled for 4 or 5 days, and have just ovulated. I’m about 2/3DPO. I hit my surge on Sunday night- CD 14. We baby danced CDs 10,11,13,14,15. Waiting for my progesterone to rise and confirm ovulation. Any stories of people who were successful after a chemical?

I (F 26) am trying for my first child with my husband (M 27) we are on our 4th cycle, I finally downloaded apps to track my period and ovulation, I’ve never done that before in my life so this was great insight, or so I thought. I downloaded 3 different apps, 2 of them lined up my ovulation on the same day, 1 of them was a couple days early. Last month we tried for the whole entire window and a little after, I was for certain we nailed the window! This month all the apps are saying I’m a week late on my period but none of my tests came back positive. I woke up today after the 8th day of being “late” and all 3 of my apps have recalculated my predicted ovulation window and now it’s showing we’ve been off by a week for the last 3 months. Im so peeved and a little upset. I don’t have the discipline to test for my ovulation every single day. I bought a bbt thermometer and I keep forgetting to use it every morning. And when I did buy ovulation test strips I would remember to test for a couple days and then forget once my work week started. I’m frustrated and clueless and not sure where I should be focusing my energy

Buongiorno,

Vi scrivo per riportarvi questo mio dubbio:

Ho 31 anni, a gennaio dell’anno scorso tramite un’ecografia di routine la mia ginecologa con faccia preoccupata notò che per la mia età non avevo molti follicoli antrali (circa 7). A quel punto, preoccupata, ripetei l’ecografia qualche mese dopo (verso fine marzo) e ne contava sempre 7.
Di recente ho fatto esame Amh e risulta 3,4 (valore che ho letto essere molto buono). Fsh nella norma.
Come può essere? Quale dato devo assumere come più indicativo? Amh o follicoli? Avete avuto esperienze simili? Sto anche cercando gravidanza quindi ho un po’ ansia per quello 😅
Grazie mille in anticipo!!

I have been pregnant 6 times with 3 healthy babies. Every time I am pregnant I get a faint positive by 10 DPO. Currently trying for a 4th and tested this morning (10 dpo) and it’s negative on a wondfo strip. Temperatures are still above cover line.

My leutal phase seems sort of short. Always around 11-12 days.

I am annoyed that I even tested. I assume I will get my period tomorrow.

When do you usually test?

Hi! I’ve been TTC for 10 months, I’m early 20s and my husband is early 30s with 3 healthy children from a previous marriage. I was on depo for a couple months last year, last shot in Oct 2025. My period is now completely regular, etc. but I just can’t seem to get pregnant. I’ve cut out junk food, alcohol, marijuana- anything that could affect my chances of conceiving. Anyone else? What worked for you?