You should talk to your doctor about your fertility if
you:
are under age 35 and, after a year of frequent sex without birth control, you
are having problems getting pregnant, or
are age 35 or over and, after six months of frequent sex without birth
control, you are having problems getting pregnant, or
believe you or your partner might have fertility problems in the future (even
before you begin trying to get pregnant).
Your doctor can refer you to a fertility specialist, a
doctor who focuses in treating
infertility
. This doctor can recommend treatments such as drugs,
surgery, or assisted reproductive technology. Don't delay seeing your doctor
because age also affects the success rates of these treatments.
There are many ways to treat infertility. They include the following.
Tests
The first step to treat infertility is to see a doctor for a fertility evaluation
. He or she will test both the woman and the man, to find out where
the problem is. Testing on the man focuses on the number and health of his
sperm. The lab will look at a sample of his sperm under a microscope to check
sperm number, shape, and movement. Blood tests also can be done to check hormone
levels. More tests might be needed to look for infection, or problems with hormones. These tests can
include:
an x-ray (to look at his reproductive organs)
a mucus penetrance test (to see if sperm can swim through mucus)
a hamster-egg penetrance assay (to see if sperm can go through hamster egg
cells, somewhat showing their power to fertilize human eggs)
Testing for the woman first looks at whether she is
ovulating each month. This can be done by having her chart changes in her
morning body temperature, by using an FDA-approved home ovulation test kit
(which she can buy at a drug store), or by looking at her cervical mucus, which
changes throughout her menstrual cycle. Ovulation also can be checked in her
doctor's office with an ultrasound test of the ovaries, or simple blood tests that check hormone levels,
like the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test. FSH is produced by the
pituitary gland. In women, it helps control the menstrual cycle and the
production of eggs by the ovaries. The amount of FSH varies throughout the
menstrual cycle and is highest just before an egg is released. The amounts of
FSH and other hormones (luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) are
measured in both a man and a woman to determine why the couple cannot achieve
pregnancy. If the woman is ovulating, more testing will need to be done. These
tests can include:
an hysterosalpingogram (an x-ray to check if the fallopian tubes are open and
to show the shape of the uterus)
a laparoscopy (an exam of the tubes and other female
organs for disease)
an endometrial biopsy (an exam of a small shred of the uterine lining to see
if monthly changes in it are normal)
Other tests can be done to show whether the sperm and mucus are interacting
in the right way, or if the man or woman is forming antibodies that are
attacking the sperm and stopping them from getting to the egg.
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.
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