In the event that you are under the age of 35 and have been actively trying to conceive for 12 months or more without success, schedule an appointment with a fertility doctor, also known as a reproductive endocrinologist, immediately (sometimes referred to as an RE).
Whichever path you choose, you can expect to undergo a battery of evaluations and tests to determine what factors may be interfering with your attempts to conceive. In spite of your best efforts, you’ve been unable to conceive a child for quite some time. Here’s a quick rundown of some things you should be aware of before visiting a fertility specialist.
Are You Ovulating At This Time Of The Month?
Whether or not you’re ovulating will be one of the first things your doctor will want to know (releasing an egg every month). Depending on how long you’ve been charting your basal body temperature (BBT), you may be able to figure this out on your own before your appointment.
Fertility Testing Will Be Required.
They will go over your medical history with you and then outline the fertility tests you (and your partner, if you have one) will need to undergo during your initial consultation with the fertility specialist. Typically, a doctor will order an ultrasound as well as a specialized X-ray to examine the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, as well as the rest of the reproductive system.
Predictions Regarding The Results Of A Semen Analysis
A semen analysis (SA) is a basic test for infertility that involves evaluating a sample taken after ejaculation in a laboratory. Another factor considered in sperm analysis is the number of sperm cells present, the volume of sperm cells present, the shape and movement of sperm cells present, and the presence of white blood cells present.
Introduction To Fertility Treatment: The Fundamentals
Your infertility doctor can put together a treatment plan after all of the tests has been completed and you have received a diagnosis — a reason for your inability to conceive.
You can expect to have options ranging from lifestyle modifications to fertility medications to surgical interventions and even intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) if this is the case (IVF).
Side Effects Of Fertility Medications
Most infertility treatments include the use of medication to stimulate ovulation. Occasionally, drugs are used exclusively in these situations (at least at first). More involved treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), may also include fertility drugs. You will be informed by your doctor about the risks associated with fertility medications.
As a precaution, be aware that they include the possibility of conceiving twins or higher-aged multiples, which can result in complications during the pregnancy.
The Cost Of Fertility Treatment Is High
Getting pregnant is a costly process.
Obstacles To Successful Fertility Treatment
Couples undergoing fertility treatments face numerous challenges in addition to drug side effects, such as the vigilance required for drug treatments, the frequent (sometimes daily) visits to their doctor’s office or clinic for blood work and ultrasounds, the expense, and the disappointment when the treatment does not result in pregnancies.
No matter if you are undergoing treatment yourself or are providing support to a partner who is, it is critical to express your feelings. If you are having difficulty doing so, consider consulting with Fertility clinic Orange County, who has been specially trained to guide people through the emotional minefields of fertility treatment and can help you through it.
