Is It the Right Time to Consult a Reproductive Fertility Specialist? – If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for over six months with little or no success or are considering egg freezing, consulting a reproductive fertility specialist gets you the best treatment for your condition. And it improves your chances of conceiving successfully.
The initial consultation with your infertility specialist gets to the root cause of your infertility and identifies the most effective treatment to guarantee good results through medications or surgery.
What Are the Causes of Reproductive Infertility?
Ovulation complications account for many cases of reproductive infertility, but other causes can also be responsible. Some known infertility causes resulting from common medical conditions include:
- Endometriosis: Cells similar to those lining the uterus starts to grow elsewhere (e.g. the fallopian tubes or ovaries). Treatment may include surgery, but it also depends on the individual.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This hormonal disorder affects the woman’s ovulation cycle, making it difficult to conceive. PCOS treatment involves ovulation-stimulating medications that can be oral or injectable.
- Uterine fibroids: Sometimes, benign tumors develop on the uterus, interfering with the woman’s ability to conceive; the condition can also lead to loss of pregnancy. Although it’s possible to achieve pregnancy with fibroids, it’s safe to seek medical attention to get the best treatment.
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): This condition causes abnormal ovary functioning for women under 40. Patients with POI have a low rate of natural conception. And the suitable treatment for it is assisted conception using egg donation and in-vitro fertilization.
When Should You Consult Your Fertility Doctor?
Some signs in your body can suggest it’s time that you seek medical help from your fertility specialist. And while the thought of assisted reproduction can be unsettling, you are not alone. About 10% of women in the US have trouble conceiving or staying pregnant.
Your fertility doctor assesses your reproductive health to try and find an identifiable cause for your infertility and, after the evaluation, prescribes the best treatment for you.
Most treatments are either medications or surgical, and the choice of treatment depends on these factors:
- The evaluation test results by the doctor
- The time a couple has been attempting conception
- The couple’s overall health
- The patient’s preferences
- Previous procedures performed to increase fertility
Here is why you should consult a reproductive fertility specialist to kick-start your journey to starting your family.
- You have been trying for a while without success. Some couples try for six months or more without a successful pregnancy. If you are in this predicament, you should seek help from a fertility specialist to find out the source of the problem and the treatment options available to you.
- You are over 40. It becomes increasingly difficult to conceive over 40 as you face challenges such as declining fertility that affects the egg quality from your ovaries. Instead of risking conception with your natural eggs, a fertility specialist can help you conceive with minimal risks, sometimes using donor eggs.
- You have had previous miscarriages. Miscarriages may not be a cause of infertility. But after having several, it’s wise to seek medical care to know the underlying condition. Some causes of miscarriage include irregular hormone levels, genetic issues, cervical complications, anatomic issues, or infection.
- You have a thyroid condition. About 60% of women may not be aware of their condition. And at least one in eight women develops a thyroid condition, including hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid). Hypothyroidism can result in irregular ovulation and menstrual cycles. And your doctor should treat these before getting pregnant to reduce the chances of a miscarriage and promote a healthy pregnancy.
- You have cancer or a cancerous tumor. Cancer treatments, including chemo, may affect your ability to get pregnant and only worsen with advancing age. A fertility doctor can tell you whether fertility was impacted and help you take proactive measures to preserve your fertility to help you conceive.
Reproductive Fertility Specialist Q&As
Q: What is the role of a fertility specialist?
A: A fertility doctor diagnoses and treats fertility problems to help struggling couples successfully have a baby.
Q: When is the best time to consult a fertility specialist?
A: Consult your fertility doctor if you are at least 35 years and face difficulty in getting pregnant or if you have been trying for six months to one year to conceive.
Q: What are the early signs of infertility in women?
A: Signs of infertility could include abnormal menstrual cycles, irregular or painful periods, or irregular ovulation.
Q: Can a fertility specialist increase my chances of conceiving?
A: Yes; by addressing the root causes of infertility, a fertility doctor increases your chances of getting pregnant.
Q: What is the success rate of in-vitro fertilization?
A: IVF achieves up to a 50% success rate and helps the embryo to attach to the uterus.
Q: When is surgery necessary in treating infertility?
A: Surgery becomes crucial in treating infertility when there’s a blockage in your uterus, fallopian tubes, or pelvic area. And also when there’s a structural issue in your uterine walls.
Q: What are the risks of reproductive fertility treatments?
A: While fertility treatments are generally safe, some risks, such as multiple pregnancies and reactions to fertility drugs, can arise during treatment.
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