Fertility issues are not uncommon among couples. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates over 7.3 million Americans to be infertile. People may be finding it difficult to conceive even after having unprotected intercourse for prolonged periods. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for over a year, it might be time to visit your doctor.
How can I know if I’m infertile?
For couples, it might be hard to tell whether any of you is infertile since there are no visible signs of infertility except not being able to get pregnant or keep a pregnancy. The surest way to know your fertility status is to get an infertility testing. This testing would, most of the time, be recommended by an OBGYN Orlando or family doctor to the couple.
The doctor will recommend an infertility test if:
• The couple has been having regular, unprotected sex for one year or six months if the woman is over 35 years and still cannot get pregnant
• The man has a history of poor sperm motility, low sperm count or abnormal sperm morphology.
• The man has erection problems or has injury or trauma in his scrotum or testes.
• The woman has experienced repeated miscarriages, has irregular periods, has experienced ectopic pregnancies before, suffered from the pelvic inflammatory disease, cystic fibrosis or exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol) which is a synthetic hormone that women received before 1971.
If you fall in any of the above categories, your doctor or gynecologist may test you or refer you to a fertility specialist. Remember that it is essential to participate in this journey as a couple for support. It shouldn’t be assumed that the problem can only be on the woman. Before deciding to go ahead with the testing, ensure that you have adequately planned for it as it is costly, time-consuming and emotionally draining.
How you can make the process easier
• Collect each test result once it’s completed. Where there’re abnormalities, ask for a clear explanation from your doctor and discuss your options.
• Ask questions at each step of the way. Understand the significance of the tests. Consider changing practices if you have an unresponsive or evasive doctor.
• Communicate with your partner to efficiently manage any stress, anxiety, fears, anger or frustrations.
There are several ways of treating infertility including IVF, intrauterine insemination, intracytoplasmic (ICSI), hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, among others.
If you believe you may be facing sustained pregnancy problems, contact us today to schedule a consultation with us. At South Lake OBGYN Orlando, we will take you through the steps of evaluation, testing and treatment.