Starting a family or getting started with parenthood is not as easy as it may sound. For many couples, things might not go as smoothly as planned. If you are one among those and trying to conceive as a couple is taking longer than expected, this may lead to serious concerns and questions. Thinking of when to see a fertility specialist? For this, you need to first know and understand the early infertility signs and this can surely make a difference to your journey, helping you learn of the right time to visit them, signs to watch for, and things to expect throughout the evaluation process.
How Long Should You Try Before Getting Help?
This question is one of the most asked ones. How long to try conceiving before you check out any fertility specialist totally depends on your age. If you are less than 35 years old, then you should try for at least 12 months before seeking help. Similarly, if you are above 35 years of age, then a 6 month timeframe is enough to wait before you seek help. And if you are over 40 years old, then you can see the fertility specialist right away. For those having any sort of medical issues or conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis, they can seek help and see a fertility specialist even earlier than this.
Top Signs You Should See a Specialist
Here are a few signs of infertility that indicate you should take immediate action. Key signs of when to get infertility help include:
Irregular Periods
PCOS or irregular periods is an alarming situation for many. If you don’t know of the normal menstrual cycle, it is 21-35 days long. The signs of not ovulating properly include highly irregular periods with dates changing every month, a very short cycle of even less than 20 days, a very long cycle of more than 35 days, and skipping out on periods for a month or even more. Ovulation is an important aspect of getting pregnant and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often cause irregular cycles.
Recurrent Miscarriages
We understand how frustrating and emotional toll a miscarriage can bring to your soul. If you have got two more miscarriages consecutively, then this condition is known as a recurrent pregnancy loss and may be caused by several factors such as:
- Uterine problems
- Imbalance in certain hormones
- Underlying genetic issues and reasons
- Autoimmune disorders
Seeking the help of a fertility specialist can better help you find out the real cause and in which direction should your fertility treatment go.
Known Medical Issues (PCOS, Endometriosis)
If in any case you have been a victim of thyroid issues, PCOS and endometriosis, then it is better you should consult a fertility specialist before trying to conceive or getting pregnant. These are among the most known medical issues. One of the biggest reasons for the prevention of ovulation is PCOS. Fallopian tubes also get blocked with endometriosis that can lead to scaring. Even, if you have got thyroid issues, then this can also result in a complete hormonal imbalance.
What Happens During a Fertility Evaluation?
In case you decide to approach a fertility specialist, you need not worry. The initial visit will be a mere acquaintance and the doctor gets to know more about you and your medical history. They will enquire about your periods, general health, and previous pregnancy history, including miscarriages. They will also determine your sexual health and ask regarding any other medical issues you have had in the past or currently. The doctor will then recommend you a few tests to know more about your fertility and plan further course of action. It is better for both of the partners to participate in the visit, as fertility problems may be on either male or female side.
Tests and Diagnosis Overview
With fertility testing, one may easily determine what’s the real reason that is making it hard to get pregnant. Most common tests for women in this regard include certain blood tests that help indicate hormonal levels like FSH, AMH, and LH. These help indicate the fertility hormone levels. Other tests may include a pelvic ultrasound for checking your ovaries and uterus, as well as an HSG test for checking out if the fallopian tubes are open or not. Whereas, for men, tests recommended include complete semen analysis to check sperm quantity, shape, and movement. With the help of these tests, the relevant doctor can better understand a clear picture of your fertility status and guide you regarding the next steps and interventions.
Early Intervention Benefits
While you may feel a bit unsure of seeking early help, but the good news is that an early visit to a fertility specialist can help a lot. The earlier you start the treatment the higher your chances of success particularly when you start before the age of 35 years. It can also lower the stress and anxiety since you are going to better understand about what is going on with your body. The earlier you act, the more treatment options you will have to pick from as well. These options may range anywhere between mere lifestyle modifications to medications or even more complicated procedures such as IUI or IVF. A fertility check-up can provide you with a clear understanding of your reproductive health and help you plan ahead even in case you do not need treatment at the moment.
Sum Up:
Knowing when to see a fertility specialist is always a great idea to avoid straight months of stress and uncertainty. Whether you have been trying to conceive for over a year or two, or even if you notice specific medical conditions as aforementioned, don’t hesitate to see a fertility specialist as this can help you enjoy a sound and healthy pregnancy.