With so many resources available to help you keep track of your fertility, including mobile apps such as GLOW, many men and women are finding more online avenues to discuss their concerns and get the answers to their fertility questions. Being proactive about your reproductive health combined with seeking the expertise of a fertility specialist can put you on the path to parenthood.
On average, it takes a couple 5 to 7 months to conceive, so if you’ve only been off birth control for a few months, there may not be a need to be concerned. However, if more time passes and you haven’t conceived, it is important to know when to reach out to a specialist.
When to See a Fertility Specialist
At Shady Grove Fertility, in accordance to national guidelines, if you’re a female under the age of 35 and have not conceived after 12 months of unprotected sex, we recommend you see a fertility specialist. If you’re over the age of 35, we recommend seeing a specialist after 6 months of unprotected sex if conception has not occurred.
However, if you have irregular periods or no period at all, it may mean you are not ovulating, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to conceive on your own. While there are many reasons why you may miss your period, ovulatory disorders are a common cause of infertility for women. If you have irregular menstrual cycles, we recommend you speak with a fertility doctor if you’re looking to conceive.
No matter if you have been actively trying to conceive or not, couples having unprotected sexual intercourse for more than 6 or 12 months, depending on the age, should seek a fertility consult. You can read more of our frequently asked questions about conception here.
There are many variables that play into the whole process of getting pregnant. Scheduling to see a fertility doctor at Shady Grove Fertility is just a conversation, to give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your options and timeline.
If you decide to pursue treatment, both partners need to be evaluated. This involves a detailed medical history for both plus bloodwork, ovarian reserve testing, ultrasound, and hysterosalpingogram (HSG) for the female, and a semen analysis for the male.
What medical conditions warrant seeing a fertility specialist earlier?
The more proactive you can be in seeking treatment earlier, the better your chances of success. Conditions that warrant seeing a fertility specialist earlier include:
- The absence of a menstrual cycle
- If the male is having trouble achieving or maintaining an erection
- Complex medical conditions
- Genetic disorders that may affect the couple’s ability to conceive
- Two or more miscarriages
- History of sexually transmitted infections, or STIs (formerly known as sexually transmitted diseases, STDs)
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Family history or previous diagnosis of premature menopause
- Recent diagnosis of cancer or other condition with invasive therapies
How to Find a Fertility Specialist
A few ways you can get started is to connect with your primary care physician, OB/GYN, or urologist for a recommendation. Talk to your friends, or contact the American Society for Reproductive Medicine or RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association for referrals to specialists in your area. Nearly half of our patients are self-referred, and nearly 96 percent of our patients would refer Shady Grove Fertility to a friend or family member. This is a positive sign that people are educating themselves and feeling empowered enough to find and request the evaluations they need to make good treatment choices.
At Shady Grove Fertility, we offer treatment services in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. With 35 reproductive endocrinologists, we’ve celebrated 40,000 births over our 25 year history. You can trust that our accessibility and experience will give you the answers you desire.
The primary message we wish to convey to people trying to get pregnant is to seek an early consultation for a fertility assessment. Initial infertility evaluations are relatively simple and may, in fact, uncover a diagnosis that requires more specialized care in order for successful pregnancy to occur. Finding out potential problems early puts more time on your side.
What questions should you ask a Fertility specialist?
It can be difficult for even the most prepared couple to know the right questions to ask your doctor when discussing fertility. Some questions you might consider may include:
- Why haven’t I been able to conceive?
- How is my age affecting my ability to conceive?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Will you order a semen analysis for my partner?
- How much experience do you have treating infertility patients?
Make the Most of Your First Fertility Consult
Your first fertility consult will provide you with the tools and information that you will need to move forward on your journey, as well as the team that will help you through the process and be with you every step of the way. In order to get the most out of this experience, don’t forget to bring your records and other important clinical documents (see the appointment checklist).
If you’re having trouble starting or growing your family, choose a national leader. Call 1-888-761-1967 to speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons and schedule an appointment.
