FERTILITY
FERTILITY
Your top fertility questions answered
When should I see a fertility specialist?
If you are under 35 with regular cycles and haven’t become pregnant after 1 year, or if you are 35 or older with regular cycles and haven’t become pregnant after 6 months, it’s time to make an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist. If you haven’t been ovulating, have irregular menstrual cycles or have had multiple pregnancy losses, you should seek fertility care as soon as possible.
What fertility testing will I need?
Before we can develop your personalized treatment plan, you’ll need to undergo fertility testing to help give us an idea of your current fertility status and any factors that may impact your ability to conceive.
Day 3 Testing
On the third day of your menstrual cycle, we will conduct blood tests to help determine how many eggs you have left in your ovaries (also known as your ovarian reserve) and how you may respond to various medications. We may also test for communicable diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis, and will conduct preconception labs that look for underlying medical conditions that could impact your fertility. There could also be additional testing needed that is unique to your individual situation, such as screening for genetic disorders that could potentially be passed on to a child.
Ultrasound
In addition to blood work, you also will receive a pelvic ultrasound to look for structural abnormalities in your uterus or ovaries that could impact conception. An hysterosalpingogram (HSG) may also be completed to make sure your fallopian tubes are open and free of any blockages. You can complete these tests on the same appointment day as your blood tests or they can be broken up into multiple appointments, depending on your personal preference.
What should I do to prepare my body for fertility treatments?
As you start your fertility journey, we recommend that you prepare your body for treatment in the following ways: Eat a healthy, well balanced diet. Start taking prenatal vitamins. Maintain a healthy weight. Stop smoking, drinking alcohol and recreational drugs. Avoid travel to any countries or regions that may put you at risk of exposure to Zika or other significant infectious diseases. Reduce or eliminate your caffeine intake. Decrease your stress. We understand that fertility treatment can be a stressful process, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. We recommend reaching out to a psychological counselor for support if you are feeling anxious or stressed.
What fertility treatment is right for me?
Your course of treatment at CCRM is highly individualized based on your specific needs. Your treatment plan will be developed with your CCRM doctor who will consider a variety of factors, including your age, your partner’s age, cause of infertility, prior history of miscarriages, prior fertility treatments, etc.
How many people are infertile?
According to the National Survey of Family Growth, 12.1% of females ages 15-44 have had difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.
Know that you are not alone; there are many interventions that can result in a successful pregnancy, even if one or both partners are infertile.
Why does infertility happen?
There are many reasons why a couple or individual may be infertile, as conception is a multi-step process.
Ovulation: an egg leaves the female’s ovary and will eventually move down the fallopian tube
Fertilization: a sperm and the egg join, providing all the genetic material needed for a zygote to develop
Implantation: the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining
If any of these steps are unsuccessful, the zygote will be disposed of during the female’s next menstrual cycle.
Can males be infertile, too?
Males have infertility problems just as frequently as females.
In situations where two partners come in for fertility treatment, 1/3 of the time, the female is infertile, 1/3 of the time, the male is infertile, and 1/3 of the time, there is a combination of male and female infertility problems or the problem is unknown.
Male Fertility Testing
If there’s a male partner, we’ll perform a semen analysis to examine both sperm quality and quantity. This test should be performed following 2-5 days of abstinence and does require masturbation.
Does age affect fertility?
Yes. In females, fertility declines with age, especially in the mid-30s. This is partially because the eggs are older and may not be as healthy. Contrary to popular belief, male fertility also declines with age.
Do hormones affect fertility?
Yes. In females, a hormone imbalance called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) frequently results in infertility. In males, hypogonadism (low testosterone) or other hormones issues can contribute to infertility.
Start your fertility journey
Connect with one of our experienced fertility specialists to explore your options. We’re here to guide and support you every step of the way.