New data shows that more and more women are being proactive about their reproductive health, which definitely works in their favor, as an early fertility evaluation yields more pregnancies.
Rockville, MD (PRWEB) March 29, 2017
Shady Grove Fertility, the largest fertility center in the nation—with more than 10 babies born every day—released the results of a recent fertility survey that showed that of the women who sought fertility evaluations, 71 percent of the close to 1,300 respondents were under the age of 35, and 32 percent were under the age of 30.
“The reason this is so significant is because age is the number one factor impacting a woman’s chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy child—with or without assisted reproductive technology (ART). A woman’s age combined with the length of time the couple has been trying to conceive gives a clear indication on when is the appropriate time to seek a fertility evaluation,” says board certified reproductive endocrinologist, Ryan Martin, M.D., of Shady Grove Fertility’s Bala Cynwyd, PA location.
Each month, on average, a woman only has a 15 to 20 percent chance of conception. For women in their 20s, their chances of getting pregnant within 1 year are 78 to 86 percent. For women 30 to 34, their chances of getting pregnant within 1 year is approximately 63 percent. For women ages 35 to 39, the chances of conception within 1 year declines to 52 percent. This rate continues to decline in a woman’s 40s.
“We encourage women and men to be proactive about their fertility even before their 30s. The more knowledge people have about their reproductive health, the more options they will have down the road when planning for their future. A simple fertility evaluation of both partners is the first step that will provide patients with valuable insights into their fertility,” adds Dr. Martin.
Shady Grove Fertility recommends a fertility evaluation if a woman is under 35 with regular menstrual cycles and no pregnancy after 1 year of unprotected intercourse; if a woman is 35 to 39 with regular menstrual cycles and no pregnancy after 6 months of unprotected intercourse; or if a woman is 40 or older, more immediate evaluation and treatment are warranted.
In addition to these guidelines, there are early warning signs that necessitate seeing a fertility specialist sooner, such as: irregular (heavy, painful, absent, or irregular) menstrual periods, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, male factor infertility, premature ovarian failure, and two or more miscarriages.
An initial fertility evaluation for a female consists of three simple tests: bloodwork, ultrasound, and an hysterosalpingogram (HSG) x-ray. A male fertility evaluation consists of one non-invasive test, a semen analysis. Physicians use these tests to determine if the woman is ovulating, if her Fallopian tubes are normal, if her uterus is receptive to implantation, and if the man’s sperm are normal in number, shape, and movement.
“I always remind my patients, it is important to be their own advocates about their fertility and seek the help they need without delay. An early fertility evaluation will provide patients with answers and offer them treatment options that yield the best chances of success,” adds Dr. Martin.
More than 90 percent of patients will have coverage for the initial physician consult, and 70 percent will have some degree of coverage for diagnostic testing and/or treatment. Schedule an appointment to speak with a fertility specialist.
About Shady Grove Fertility
Shady Grove Fertility is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence offering patients individualized care, innovative financial options, and pregnancy rates among the highest of all national centers. 2016 commemorated 25 years of Shady Grove Fertility providing medical and service excellence to patients from all 50 states and 35 countries around the world, and over 40,000 babies born. Today, 41 physicians, supported by a highly specialized team of more than 700 Ph.D. scientists, geneticists, and staff care for patients in 23 full-service offices and six satellite sites throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Shady Grove Fertility physicians actively train residents and reproductive endocrinology fellows and invest in continuous clinical research and education to advance the field of reproductive medicine through numerous academic appointments and partnerships such as Georgetown Medical School, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the University of Maryland, and the National Institutes of Health. More than 1,700 physicians refer their patients to Shady Grove Fertility each year. For more information, call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
