When Is It Time to See a Fertility Specialist?

When Is It Time to See a Fertility Specialist?
February 14, 2020

When Is It Time to See a Fertility Specialist?

Quick question: how are you feeling right now? If you’re dealing with infertility, the answer’s probably “stressed.”

You might feel very alone right now, but the truth is that you have company. About 10 percent of all women have trouble getting pregnant. That’s more than six million women who are also in your shoes.

If you’re considering meeting with a reproductive specialist, this article’s for you. We’ll give you insider information about how to progress on your fertility journey.

When To See A Reproductive Specialist

Fertility issues can break down marriages at their core. You both might be frustrated, depressed, exhausted, or even past your breaking point.

You’re probably also tired of people asking you when you’re going to have children. Depression and trauma don’t cause infertility but they can bloom in the midst of all that stress.

Instead of laying blame or feeling ashamed, talk to a trusted fertility doctor and get some answers. Here are a few common reasons that women turn to professional reproductive help.

Difficulty Conceiving

If you’re under the age of 35, try to conceive for an entire year before consulting a reproductive specialist.

If you’re over 35, your time frame is six months. If you haven’t conceived by then, it’s time to meet with fertility doctors.

The first step is to get comprehensive testing including blood tests and ultrasounds. Your doctor will also ask about your family history and perform a thorough sperm analysis on your partner.

They may also have you shift onto a healthier diet, try fertility acupuncture, or do fertility yoga before they start you on any medications.

If you don’t want to take injections, the doctor may be able to harvest healthy eggs during your period. Women with irregular periods, on the other hand, may opt to boost their egg production by taking medication.

History Of Miscarriages

If you have miscarried more than twice, you should definitely see a doctor for pregnancy counseling. You could have an undiagnosed condition like:

  • Endometriosis, a disorder of the uterus
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • uterine polyps
  • scar tissue

Your doctor is trained to address disorders of the uterus and can help you maximize your chances of success.

The two most common options for fertility treatment are intrauterine implantation and in vitro fertilization.

IUI is a good choice for same-sex couples who would like to conceive with a sperm donor. The lab takes a sample of healthy sperm and delivers it directly to the egg during ovulation.

IVF combines sperm and egg in the lab and then implants it into your uterus. IVF is a good option if you would like to pick the gender of your baby.

If you have a history of miscarriages or chronic disease, your doctor may ask you to attend a support group before you get started with treatment.

Infertility Specialist For Men

Although women tend to have more fertility issues than men, there’s still a chance that the problem could be due to low sperm count or motility.

Your fertility doctor will work with you to figure out the source of the issue. Surprisingly, a low sperm count can have several causes.

Low Sperm Count

One common reason for low sperm count is inflamed varicoceles. These are veins that help the testicles drain periodically. If they become irritated, it impacts the blood flow to the penis and testicles.

Your infertility doctor can test for problems with varicoceles and help you schedule the surgery.

Other common causes of low sperm count include:

  • drug or alcohol abuse
  • obesity
  • stress
  • smoking

Men can also have PTSD from problems with fertility. There is a huge amount of pressure to have children and men with low sperm counts often feel inadequate.

Your doctor may recommend Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and a regular exercise routine to boost sperm count.

Does Erectile Dysfunction Cause Infertility?

The good news about erectile dysfunction is that it has no bearing on fertility. Your partner may be producing perfect sperm but have trouble becoming erect.

If your partner has trouble performing, it may be due to diabetes or high blood pressure. They may need to treat those conditions before you start your fertility treatments.

Another common cause of erectile dysfunction or ED is emotional or mental stress. Men can sometimes “psych themselves out” to the point where they doubt their ability to have sex.

Even in the face of ED, your reproductive specialist can fertilize your eggs. They can extract healthy sperm and join them to your eggs in the lab.

They can also address problems like low testosterone, hormonal imbalances, and vasectomies. It’s possible to reverse a vasectomy with surgery.

Is Egg Freezing An Option?

If you’re not ready to conceive, you have another option. You can freeze your eggs until the time is right to become pregnant.

You might have a history of early menopause in your family or you might be on the verge of undergoing chemotherapy. You may also want to wait until you have more time to devote to the IUI or IVF process.

Don’t worry: babies who are born from frozen eggs are completely normal. There’s no indication that they suffer from birth defects or complicate your pregnancy.

How To Find The Right Fertility Doctor

To find a reputable reproductive specialist, you have two options. You can search online or you can get recommendations from your friends and family.

If you don’t have anyone to talk to in your immediate circle, you can talk to your counselor or support group members. They’ll understand and be able to direct you toward the best medical team.

Our compassionate, multi-lingual staff loves helping couples become parents. It’s our mission to bring innovative fertility treatments to as many people as possible, embracing up-to-the-minute research and development.

We have offices in three locations with labs onsite. Say farewell to shuttling between labs for endless testing and say hello to world-class medical care.

To set up an appointment, you can call us by phone or book a date and time online. We’re looking forward to meeting you!

Share this post? Twitter Facebook Google

Add your Comment