How do you figure out when you're fertile and when
you're not? Wondering if you or your partner is infertile? Read on to boost your
chances of conception and get help for fertility problems.
Be sure to take along the records of any diagnostic
studies and/or fertility
treatments you may have had in the past if you are visiting a new fertility
specialist. If you have been keeping records of the dates of your menstrual cycles
and/or basal body temperature charts, take these along too. Also, print
this and take it with you to your doctor visit.
What is my diagnosis, and how does this condition
specifically interfere
with fertility? Does my partner have a condition that interferes with
fertility? Will these conditions worsen over time, improve, or remain
constant?
If the reason for my infertility is unclear, what diagnostic tests do
you recommend? What is the likelihood that each of these tests will
establish a diagnosis? Are there any risks associated with the testing? Does
my partner need additional testing?
What type of treatment would you recommend trying
first? Does this treatment involve surgery, medications, or both? What are the risks of
treatment?
In your practice, how often does this treatment
result in pregnancy? (Be sure to determine whether your doctor is talking
about pregnancy rates or
live-birth rates when discussing specific treatments so you can make
adequate comparisons. For example, a treatment may have a 30% pregnancy rate
per cycle but only a 25% live-birth rate due to early miscarriages.)
Being aware of your menstrual cycle and the changes
in your body that happen during this time can be key to helping you plan a
pregnancy, or avoid pregnancy.
During the menstrual cycle (a total average of 28 days), there are two parts:
before ovulation and after ovulation.
Day 1 starts with the first day of your period.
Usually by Day 7, a woman's eggs start to prepare to be fertilized by
sperm.
Between Day 7 and 11, the lining of the
uterus (womb) starts to
thicken, waiting for a fertilized egg to implant there.
Around Day 14 (in a 28-day cycle), hormones cause the egg that is most ripe
to be released, a process called ovulation. The egg travels down the fallopian
tube towards the uterus. If a sperm unites with the egg here, the egg will
attach to the lining of the uterus, and pregnancy occurs.
If the egg is not fertilized, it will break apart.
Around Day 25 when hormone levels drop, it will be shed from the body with
the lining of the uterus as a menstrual period.
The first part of the menstrual cycle is different in
every woman, and even can be different from month-to-month in the same woman,
varying from 13 to 20 days long. This is the most important part of the cycle to
learn about, since this is when ovulation and pregnancy can occur. After
ovulation, every woman (unless she has a health problem that affects her periods) will have a period
within 14 to 16 days.
Charting Your Fertility Pattern
Knowing when you're most fertile will help
you plan or prevent pregnancy. There are three ways you can keep track of your
fertile times. They are:
Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis implants are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the pelvic cavity. They can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder. Treatment of endometriosis can be with medication or surgery.
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube. Symptoms include abdominal pain, amenorrhea, and vaginal bleeding. Treatment options include observation, medication, or surgery.
A miscarriage is any pregnancy that ends spontaneously before the fetus can survive. Miscarriage usually occurs before the 13th week of pregnancy. The cause of a miscarriage cannot always be determined. The most common causes of a miscarriage in the first trimester are collagen vascular disease (lupus), hormonal problems, diabetes, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital abnormalities of the uterus.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus and are usually round or semi-round in shape. The most common symptom of a uterine fibroid is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include pressure, pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder, or pain during a bowel movement. Treatment options vary from surgery to medication.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman's stage of life and the symptoms of PCOS.
Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman. There are some symptoms that are more frequent in some women. These symptoms include a missed period, nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight gain, headaches, food cravings, and mood changes.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Amenorrhea is a condition in which there is an absense of menstrual periods in a woman. There are two types of amenorrhea, 1) primary and 2) secondary. Treatment of amenorrhea depends on the type (primary or secondary). In prmiray, surgery may be an option and in secondary amenorrhea medication or lifestyle changes may be treatment options.
The female reproductive system is designed to carry out several functions, including producing the female egg cells, conception, and producing female sex hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle. During menopause the female reproductive system gradually stops making the female hormones necessary for the reproductive cycle to work.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. Some of the symptoms of Graves' disease include hand tremors, rapid heartbeat, trouble sleeping, enlarged thyroid, thinning of the skin or fine brittle hair. Causes of Graves' disease are thought to be multifactorial such as genes, gender, stress, and infection. Treatment for Graves' disease is generally medication.
Preeclampsia is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. Preeclampsia typically begins after the 20th week of pregnancy. When preeclampsia causes seizures, it is termed "eclampsia" and is the second leading cause of maternal death of in the US. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of fetal complications. Risk factors for preeclampsia include high blood pressure, obesity, multiple births, and women with preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma. Pregnancy planning and lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Premature menopause is when a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40 because of genetics, illness, or a medical procedure. Symptoms of premature menopause include irregular or missed periods, mood swings, hot flashes, periods that are heavier or lighter than usual, vaginal dryness, bladder irritability, incontinence, dry skin, eyes or mouth, sleeplessness, and decreased sex drive. Though premature menopause cannot be reversed, the symptoms can be managed with methods similar to those used for natural menopause.
Premature ovarian failure (POS) is the cessation of normal functioning of the ovaries in women under the age of 40. Premature ovarian failure may be caused by follicle depletion or dysfunction. The most common symptom of premature ovarian failure are irregular periods. There is no "treatment" that will restore the ovarian function, but there are treatments that my relieve symptoms.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
Women experience and tolerate pain differently. For some pregnant women, focused breathing is all they need to get through labor and childbirth; but for others, numbing of the pain is desired.
There are a number of different medications a woman can take during labor and childbirth. It is important for you to learn what pain relief options are available. Please discuss the options with your health care provider well before your "birth day" so that when you are in labor you understand the choices.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus
(womb). Although they are composed of the same smooth muscle fibers as the
uterine wall (myometrium), they are many times denser than normal myometrium.
Uterine fibroids are usually round or semi-round in shape.
Uterine fibroids are often described based upon their
location within the uterus. Subserosal fibroids are located beneath the serosa
(the lining membrane on the outside of the organ). These often appear localized
on the outside surface of the uterus or may be attached to the outside surface
by a pedicle. Submucosal (submucous) fibroids are located inside the uterine
cavity beneath the lining of the uterus. Intramural fibroids are located within
the muscular
wall of the uterus.
What
causes uterine fibroids and how common are they?
Be sure to take along the records of any diagnostic
studies and/or 
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