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I am having difficulty conceiving. Am I infertile?

Posted on September 10th, 2015
I am having difficulty conceiving. Am I infertile?

Have you and your partner been trying to have a baby without success? It may be time to see a fertility specialist.

Am I Infertile? Do I Have Fertility Problems?

As a general guideline, infertility is defined as being unable to conceive after a year of regular unprotected intercourse if the woman is younger than 35 and after six months for women older than 35. Please do not feel alone; this is a disease that affects 7.3 million women and their partners in the U.S. Infertility affects women and men equally. Approximately one in six couples will have difficulty conceiving and may need medical help to identify the possible causes.

The good news is that there are many infertility treatments available and getting started is the first step. Couples generally are advised to seek medical care through their ob-gyns or a reproductive endocrinologist. Your ob-gyn can offer some initial testing or initial treatments and hopefully this will work: however, after three months of unsuccessful treatment it is recommend you seek consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist.

When Should I See an Infertility Specialist?

There are a number of ways for you to receive the treatment you need. One option is to start by speaking with your ob-gyn first; another is to go directly to a reproductive endocrinologist. A reproductive endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in treating reproductive disorders. Reproductive endocrinologists have completed the same education and medical requirements as ob-gyns. In addition, they also have finished a two to three-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology, completed at least two-years of practice in reproductive endocrinology and passed specialized examinations (if board certified).

Both physicians will start by performing initial tests to assist in identifying potential causes of your infertility. Ob-gyns can complete the initial fertility testing, do surgery to correct identified problems, or prescribe Clomid, a fertility medication to help with ovulation induction: however a reproductive endocrinologist generally does further exploration of potential causes and provides more advanced treatments.

Because a woman's reproductive health naturally decreases with age, starting in her late 20s and dropping more rapidly after 35, and fertility success follows the same pattern, you should not go too long without an evaluation by a reproductive specialist.

Fertility Treatment Options

San Diego Fertility Center offers patients a wide range of infertility treatment options including:

The reproductive endocrinologists at San Diego Fertility Center will assist you in creating your own effective fertility treatment strategy.

Getting closer to achieving your goal of getting pregnant and overcoming infertility takes one easy step. Make a call to San Diego Fertility Center. Our team will answer all your questions about your difficulty having a baby and provide you with expert guidance to solve your fertility problems. This can be scary, but trust that we understand and will provide you with all the support you will need.

Make an appointment today to see one of our top rated reproductive doctors.