Infertility Can Be an Overwhelming: Know the First Steps You Can Take

If you and your partner have been trying to have a baby for over a year, or if you’re over the age of 35 and you’ve been trying for six months, it may be time to seek help with infertility. 

Many factors can complicate your ability to get pregnant, and sometimes that diagnostic process can be quick and easy. At other times, however, it may take a deeper and lengthier investigation.

The thought of infertility can seem overwhelming, but Carrie Cogley, APRN, and the rest of our team at Primrose Women’s Health are ready to help you on your journey to motherhood. Here are some steps you should take if you think you might be struggling with infertility.

Talk to your provider 

Before heading to a fertility clinic, talk with your women’s health provider or OB/GYN. Make sure you have information on the dates of your last six periods, the names of any medications you and/or your partner are taking, and a list of potential infertility risk factors you’re facing.

It’s also good to bring up any symptoms you have like low libido or painful sex, as they can be indicators of infertility.

Begin fertility testing

Fertility testing can help you get to the bottom of what could be causing the problem. Infertility could happen due to any of the following issues:

• Premature ovarian insufficiency
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Abnormal hormone production
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Diminished ovarian reserve
• Fallopian tube obstruction
• Intrauterine adhesions

Bloodwork, vaginal ultrasounds, and diagnostic laparoscopies are all tools we use to test for infertility issues. You’ll also have a Pap smear and pelvic exam done to look for evidence of any signs of sexually transmitted diseases. 

Create a treatment plan

Your treatment options vary greatly depending on what is causing your infertility. Treatments could include a relatively simple approach like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or something a little more complicated, like in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

You could also need surgery — if you have endometriosis, for example — to fix anything that’s causing your infertility before you start trying to conceive again, or before trying out fertility treatments like IUI or IVF. 

No matter what your treatment plan entails, you want and will appreciate having a compassionate and understanding provider with you at every step along the way. 

If you think you’re struggling with infertility, come see our caring and expert team today. Call our office in Dayton, Ohio, at 937-345-0009 today or schedule your appointment here on our website.