The methods mentioned are most useful if you have regular periods. If your periods are far apart (>35days) or quite irregular, you may not be ovulating each month. Talk to your doctor for further recommendations.
Feel free to make an appointment at Woman’s Wellness Center 219-836-0000 or 1-888-909-6636, to review the above noted points and individualize your needs based on health conditions, family history, menstrual cycle length, etc.
Infertility occurs when a couple does not achieve pregnancy within
12 months with well-timed intercourse. This happens to approximately
15% of couples trying to become pregnant. Because there are multiple
steps your physician will take in the evaluation of your fertility
and due to each patient being unique, the following information should
be used as a guideline. Your physician will base testing on your
individual situation and medical history.
Medical History Your physician will want to discuss your medical history along with your partner’s history. It is a good idea to bring your partner with you. Your physician may also want to discuss if your parents or siblings have had trouble conceiving. Also, bring a list of medications you and your partner have been taking regularly or recently. You do want to include over the counter medications.
Physical Exam Your physician will want to do a pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities on the ovaries and uterus. They will also check your heart, lungs, and thyroid.
Ovulation Your gynecologist will check that you are ovulating. This can sometimes be determined just by talking to you about your menstrual cycles, or using daily temperature charting, or possibly some lab work. If you have kept a temperature chart, bring it with you to your visit.
Semen Analysis Because about 1/3 of infertility is related to an abnormality with semen which contains the sperm, your health care provider will require a semen analysis from you partner. A semen analysis is usually ordered early in the work-up of infertility. This test involves your partner collecting his ejaculation in a sterile container which is then taken to the laboratory within a certain amount of time. Usually within 1 hour. If an abnormality in the number, appearance, or action of the sperm is detected, the next step may be referral to a urologist for the male partner. Sometimes there are special techniques used to optimize the sperm that are present.
Hormonal Screening It may be necessary to check for a hormonal imbalance. Your physician may require blood testing several times through out your menstrual cycle to check that each hormone is present and at a reasonable level at a certain point in time.
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