If there is trouble conceiving, experts have recommendations on how soon to consult a fertility specialist based on a woman’s age and past reproductive history. Guidelines suggest a woman under the age of 35 should seek help after 12 months, which drops to six months for women aged 35 to 39.
How long should you wait before getting help for infertility?
Feb 15, 2008 · Hysteroscopy to treat fibroids, adhesions or uterine septum. Myomectomy, including robotic myomectomy, to remove uterine fibroids. Laparoscopy to treat endometriosis, including robot-assisted surgery. Endometriosis causes the uterine lining to grow outside the uterus causing pain, irregular bleeding and sometimes infertility.
When should you see an infertility specialist?
Jan 26, 2022 · A couple should consider seeking help from a fertility specialist after attempting to conceive for three months, six months, a year—there really is no right answer. Infertility could be due to a single factor, or multiple factors, and fertility treatments vary in complexity.
What is infertility treatment like?
Jun 12, 2008 · Reasons to Seek Fertility Help Sooner You don't necessarily need to wait six months to a year before asking for help conceiving. In some cases, you should actually ask for help much sooner.
When should I talk to my doctor about my fertility problems?
May 26, 2015 · Guidelines suggest a woman under the age of 35 should seek help after 12 months, which drops to six months for women aged 35 to 39. And women aged 40 and over should seek fertility assistance after trying to get pregnant for three months without success.
How long should you wait to see a fertility specialist?
When should you look for infertility?
What are 4 causes for female infertility?
- Failure to Ovulate. ...
- Problems in the Menstrual Cycle. ...
- Structural Problems of the Reproductive System. ...
- Infections. ...
- Failure of an Egg to Mature Properly. ...
- Implantation Failure. ...
- Endometriosis. ...
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
What are the signs of being infertile?
What are the conditions that affect fertility?
You have a genetic condition that is known to affect fertility. You have irregular periods, endometriosis, or PCOS. You have two miscarriages in a row 3 . You or your partner has a history of sexually transmitted infections 4 . You or your partner have any risk factors or symptoms of infertility.
Who is Leyla Bilali?
Leyla Bilali, RN is a registered nurse, fertility nurse, and fertility consultant in the New York City area . Learn about our Review Board. Leyla Bilali, RN. Updated on September 15, 2020.
1. Are You Charting?
Charting your cycles can actually help you get pregnant faster. The typical clinical standard for a diagnosis of infertility is a failure to become pregnant after 12 months of random, contraceptive-free intercourse. That’s because more than 90% of couples who try to get pregnant that way will achieve pregnancy within 1 year.
2. How Old Are You?
Unfortunately, there is definitely something to the “biological clock” adage. After age 35, women experience a steep drop in their fertility, which can make it much more difficult to achieve pregnancy.
3. Are You Experiencing Any Other Symptoms?
If you are charting your cycles and notice that they look off—especially if you are also experiencing any of the symptoms of common menstrual irregularities or reproductive issues like PCOS or endometriosis—getting treated for those issues early on may help ensure that you have less difficulty getting pregnant.
What to do before infertility testing?
Before infertility testing, your doctor or clinic works to understand your sexual habits and may make recommendations to improve your chances of getting pregnant. In some infertile couples, no specific cause is found (unexplained infertility). Infertility evaluation can be expensive, and sometimes involves uncomfortable procedures.
Can infertility be corrected?
Some causes of infertility can't be corrected. In cases where spontaneous pregnancy doesn't happen, couples can often still achieve a pregnancy through use of assisted reproductive technology. Infertility treatment may involve significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments.
Can infertility be expensive?
In some infertile couples, no specific cause is found (unexplained infertility). Infertility evaluation can be expensive, and sometimes involves uncomfortable procedures. Some medical plans may not cover the cost of fertility treatment.
What is a laparoscopy for infertility?
A laparoscopy may identify endometriosis, scarring, blockages or irregularities of the fallopian tubes, and problems with the ovaries and uterus. Not everyone needs to have all, or even many, of these tests before the cause of infertility is found. You and your doctor will decide which tests you will have and when.
What are the complications of infertility?
The most common complication of infertility treatment is a multiple pregnancy — twins, triplets or more. Generally, the greater the number of fetuses, the higher the risk of premature labor and delivery, as well as problems during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes.
What doctor can help with infertility?
Depending on your age and personal health history, your doctor may recommend a medical evaluation. A gynecologist, urologist or family doctor can help determine whether there's a problem that requires a specialist or clinic that treats infertility problems.
What is the test for sperm?
A lab analyzes your semen specimen. In some cases, urine may be tested for the presence of sperm. Hormone testing. You may have a blood test to determine your level of testosterone and other male hormones. Genetic testing. Genetic testing may be done to determine whether there's a genetic defect causing infertility.
What are the factors that affect your ability to get pregnant?
A single problem or multiple factors may be affecting your ability to get pregnant; these range from weight or hormonal problems to genetics and even medications you may be taking. Your evaluation will include a comprehensive physical exam and complete medical history.
What does a doctor check for?
In general, a doctor will check a woman’s hormone system, ovarian reserve, plus pelvis, vagina, cervix and uterus. A man’s sperm quality—count and motility—is also measured. A number of simple diagnostic tools can help identify the specific cause of the problem in both men and women.
What is the best treatment for infertility?
Fertility drugs are the main treatment for women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders. Fertility drugs generally work like the natural hormones — follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) — to trigger ovulation.
What to do if you can't conceive?
If you've been unable to conceive within a reasonable period of time, seek help from your doctor for evaluation and treatment of infertility. Fertility tests may include: Ovulation testing. An at-home, over-the-counter ovulation prediction kit detects the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs before ovulation.
Why is metformin used for infertility?
Metformin is used when insulin resistance is a known or suspected cause of infertility, usually in women with a diagnosis of PCOS. Metformin helps improve insulin resistance, which can improve the likelihood of ovulation. Letrozole.
What is ovarian reserve testing?
Ovarian reserve testing. This testing helps determine the quality and quantity of eggs available for ovulation. Women at risk of a depleted egg supply — including women older than 35 — may have this series of blood and imaging tests. Other hormone testing.
What is the procedure to check for uterine disease?
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may request a hysteroscopy to look for uterine or fallopian tube disease. Laparoscopy. This minimally invasive surgery involves making a small incision beneath your navel and inserting a thin viewing device to examine your fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.
What is the procedure to examine the fallopian tubes?
This minimally invasive surgery involves making a small incision beneath your navel and inserting a thin viewing device to examine your fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. A laparoscopy may identify endometriosis, scarring, blockages or irregularities of the fallopian tubes, and problems with the ovaries and uterus.
What is the purpose of laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy may identify endometriosis, scarring, blockages or irregularities of the fallopian tubes, and problems with the ovaries and uterus. Genetic testing. Genetic testing helps determine whether there's a genetic defect causing infertility.
Can fertility treatments cause stress?
The process of fertility treatments can be long and tiring, which can increase stress if you’ve been trying to get pregnant. To help you choose the best treatment options possible, your doctor will review your health history and look for any potential reproductive problems in both you and your partner.
Does fertility decrease with age?
While it’s true that fertility can diminish with age, sometimes this has to do with health conditions that may develop as you get older. For example, thyroid conditions in women can affect fertility. Infections, cancer, and poor nutrition can affect both male and female reproductive chances.
Is it stressful to get pregnant?
While getting pregnant can seem like a breeze for some people, for others it can be one of the most stressful times of their life. You may have a well-meaning relative asking if you can hear that biological clock ticking, friends having babies, and the urge to get and stay pregnant taking over your thoughts.
Can alcohol affect fertility?
Also, alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain medications can interfere with fertility. Check on whether your medication list — as well as your partner’s — is compatible with trying to conceive (TTC, as you may have seen it abbreviated in social forums).
Does alcohol affect pregnancy?
This not only helps increase the chances of pregnancy, but parental health also directly affects the baby’s health . A 2019 review of studies determined that alcohol consumption by men even 6 months before conception can increase the risk of congenital heart diseases in the baby.
What hormones are used to induce ovulation?
Your doctor may also prescribe high-dose hormones, such as estrogen, to help induce ovulation. Other more potent medications come in the form of injections, a process referred to as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). These may be treated with in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
What is the difference between IVF and IVC?
revealed “both IVF and IVC produced identical blastocysts for transfer resulting in similar live birth rates.”. The main difference between the two procedures is that with IVC, the vagina is used as the incubator for the blastocyst (future baby) for a 5-day period before being transferred to the uterus.
Diagnosis
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Preparing For Your Appointment
- Infertility treatment depends on: 1. What's causing the infertility 2. How long you've been infertile 3. Your age and your partner's age 4. Personal preferences Some causes of infertility can't be corrected. In cases where spontaneous pregnancy doesn't happen, couples can often still achieve a pregnancy through use of assisted reproductive technolo...