You should seek infertility treatment if:
- You have been actively trying, yet unable, to become pregnant after one year.
- If you are a woman over 35 that fail to become pregnant after 6 months of trying.
- You, as a woman, have an existing infertility condition (i.e. endometriosis, polyps, chronic medical condition, pelvic...
- If you have a prior diagnoses of and reproductive...
How long should you wait before getting help for infertility?
Not everyone needs to wait six months to a year before getting help. In fact, some men and women should seek help much sooner. If you or your partner have any risk factors or symptoms of infertility, you should talk to your doctor now.
Do I need an appointment for infertility treatment?
Preparing for your appointment. A woman's gynecologist or a man's urologist or a family doctor can help determine whether there's a problem that requires a specialist or clinic that treats infertility problems. In some cases, both you and your partner may require a comprehensive infertility evaluation.
What is infertility treatment like?
Infertility treatment depends on the cause, your age, how long you've been infertile and personal preferences. Because infertility is a complex disorder, treatment involves significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments.
How often do women seek help for their fertility struggles?
However, the study's results were surprising: only 57.3% of women and 53.2% of men reported ever seeking medical help for their fertility struggles. The youngest women and men in the group (ages 17 to 24) reported seeking help only a third of the time (32.6% of the women and 14.1% of the men)
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.
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 reproductive tract?
The reproductive tract must allow an egg to pass into the fallopian tubes and join with sperm for fertilization. The fertilized egg must travel to the uterus and implant in the lining. Tests for female infertility try to find out if any of these processes are impaired.
How to increase sperm count?
Certain medications may improve sperm count and likelihood for achieving a successful pregnancy. These medicines may increase testicular function, including sperm production and quality. Surgery. For some conditions, surgery may be able to reverse a sperm blockage and restore fertility.
Where is the fertilized egg transferred?
The fertilized egg (embryo) is transferred into the uterus (C). In intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a single healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. ICSI is often used when semen quality or number is a problem or if fertilization attempts during prior in vitro fertilization cycles failed.
What to include in a medical list for infertility?
Make a list of any medications, vitamins, herbs or other supplements you take. Include the doses and how often you take them. Make a list of questions to ask your doctor.
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 happens if you fail to get pregnant after 6 months?
If you are a woman over 35 that fail to become pregnant after 6 months of trying. You, as a woman, have an existing infertility condition (i.e. endometriosis, polyps, chronic medical condition, pelvic inflammatory disease, prior ectopic pregnancy, defect from birth, surgeries, etc…) If you have a prior diagnoses of and reproductive organ issues.
Is infertility treatment expensive?
Infertility treatment is expensive! Do not waste your money and your time with someone that you don’t trust with this very delicate situation! So now you have finally decided to seek infertility treatment and you have chosen a doctor.
Why don't young people seek fertility treatment?
Younger people might not seek help simply because they don't think that infertility applies to them. While it's true that the risk of infertility increases with age, young men and women can be infertile . Another possibility is that people aren’t interested in pursuing fertility treatments.
What doctor will run a fertility test?
Your gynecologist or fertility doctor will run basic fertility tests, then recommend a treatment plan. If your gynecologist thinks it's necessary, they might refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist for additional testing or treatment.
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.
Is it bad to wait to start fertility treatment?
If you’re young, waiting to start fertility treatments until you’re ready isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, even if you’re not ready to seek treatment, seeing your provider and having some basic fertility testing is recommended. 1 .
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.
How to deal with female infertility?
Coping and support. Dealing with female infertility can be physically and emotionally exhausting. To cope with the ups and downs of infertility testing and treatment, consider these strategies: Be prepared. The uncertainty of infertility testing and treatments can be difficult and stressful.
How to help your partner with infertility?
Ask your doctor to explain the steps for your therapy to help you and your partner prepare. Understanding the process may help reduce your anxiety. Seek support. Although infertility can be a deeply personal issue, reach out to your partner, close family members or friends, or a professional for support.
How does infertility treatment work?
Infertility treatment depends on the cause, your age, how long you've been infertile and personal preferences. Because infertility is a complex disorder, treatment involves significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments.
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.
How to record your period?
On a calendar or an electronic device, record when your period starts and stops and how your cervical mucus looks. Make note of days when you and your partner have intercourse. Make a list of any medications, vitamins, herbs or other supplements you take. Include the doses and how often you take them.
How much do you increase your chances of getting triplets with injectables?
Your chances increase up to 30 percent with injectable medications. Injectable fertility medications also carry the major risk of triplets or more (higher order multiple pregnancy). Generally, the more fetuses you're carrying, the greater the risk of premature labor, low birth weight and later developmental problems.
Under 35 Years of Age
If you are under 35 years of age, have regular menstrual cycles, and have been trying to conceive for one year or more without success, it is generally recommended that you seek help from a fertility specialist.
Over 35 Years of Age
If you are over 35, have regular menstrual cycles, and have been trying to conceive for six months or more without success, it is recommended that you seek the help of a fertility specialist. This is because as you age, your fertility naturally declines.
Previous Diagnosis
If you have irregular menstrual cycles or have already been diagnosed with a medical condition that may interfere with your abilities to achieve pregnancy – such as PCOS, endometriosis, tubal blockages, male factor infertility (sperm or ejaculation factors) – or if you have experienced two or more miscarriages, it is recommended you see a fertility specialist..
Diagnosis
Treatment
- 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...
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Coping and Support
- Coping with infertility can be extremely difficult because there are so many unknowns. The journey can take an emotional toll on a couple. Taking these steps can help you cope: 1. Be prepared.The uncertainty of infertility testing and treatments can be difficult and stressful. Ask your doctor to explain the steps, and prepare for each one. 2. Set limits.Decide before starting tr…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- 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. In some cases, both you and your partner may require a comprehensive infertility evaluation.