Fertility
FAQs - where do I start?
What causes infertility,
how can we determine if we may be infertile,
and many other questions.
Question: What exactly is infertility?
Answer: There is no definite answer to this. The
most common answer is: "infertility is a condition of the reproductive
system often diagnosed after a couple has had one year of unprotected,
well-timed intercourse, or if the woman has been unable to carry a pregnancy
that results in a live birth." (from Resolve.org)
Question: How can we determine if we have a fertility problem?
Answer: If you've been trying to conceive for over 6 months,
you may have a fertility problem.
Question: Is infertility a "women's problem?"
Answer: No, "Infertility is a medical problem. Approximately
35% of infertility is due to a female factor and 35% is due to a male factor.
In the balance of cases, infertility results from problems in both partners
or the cause of the infertility cannot be explained. " (from Resolve.org)
Question: What causes infertility?
Answer: There can be any number of causes for not conceiving
a child. They can range from simply diet and nutrition, to male sperm
counts, and even a blocked fallopian tube. Hormonal abnormalities
can lead to infertility in women and men and should be ruled out
with blood tests. Uterine fibroids (benign tumors of fibrous tissue), endometriosis
(abnormal location of uterine tissue in the pelvic cavity), ovarian
cysts and infections of reproductive organs can all impair fertility and
are easily detected by a physician. Lack of ovulation can also be
a cause of infertility.
There are so many tests available today that it is fairly easy and painless
to start checking into causes of infertility. The first thing to
do is go see your OB/GYN for a full exam, mention to them that you want
to start trying to have a baby and get some answers to your questions.
Most doctors will bend over backwards to help you conceive. Some
common and fairly simple tests to start you on the road to discovering
if there is a problem include: OB/GYN exam to check for abnormalities,
Sperm Analysis, blood tests to check for hormone levels, and HSG (Hysterosalpingogram)
(performed to determine if any blockages are present in a
woman's fallopian tubes). For more information on medical procedures
please see our Clomid Club page.
Question: How long should we try before we see a doctor?
Answer: In most cases you should see a doctor if you have
been trying to conceive (having unprotected sex) for at least one year.
If you have been trying using methods such as charting BBT, OPK (ovulation
predictor kits), and other methods, you should see a doctor if you have
not conceived in 3-6 months. If you are over 30, we recommend that
you see a doctor as soon as you decide to start trying to conceive.
Question: Where do I start?
Answer: A lot of couples start trying thinking that the
very first month or two they will conceive. When this doesn't happen
they may go through a cycle where after AF arrives they hope that "maybe
it will work this cycle", and delay seeing a doctor. Your best bet
is to try on your own for a while using the methods we describe on this
site. If you are not getting results within 6 months, you should
consult your own OB/GYN or an RE who specializes in reproduction.
Do not be afraid to ask as many questions as you want. Arm yourself
with information from books and publications. Your doctor is there
to help you, if he/she won't answer your questions (or worse tells you
to "relax and it will happen"), we recommend consulting another doctor.
Question: What is it going to cost to start checking into fertility
treatments and testing?
Answer: This site Common
Costs - Infertility has information on common
costs for procedures used to diagnose and treat infertility.
**Please note:The information provided on this Site is intended to serve only as a supplement to your resources and is in no way to be considered medical advice, medical diagnosis or treatment. Always check with your obstetrician, physician, midwife, or other health care provider before choosing to do or not do any course of action.
| | | | | |