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 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.

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.

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.