How do you know when it’s time to make that initial call?
When women make their first appointment at Texas Fertility Center San Antonio, they often say that they thought it was supposed to be easy to get pregnant. Unfortunately, it’s not easy for everyone. One in 8 couples will struggle with infertility. Our San Antonio fertility center explains when to make an appointment with a fertility specialist.
Many people wait longer than they should
Men and women who come to our San Antonio fertility center often tell our fertility specialists that they have been having routine unprotected intercourse for years, but they have only been “trying” to become pregnant for the past year. However, what many couples don’t understand is that having unprotected intercourse IS “trying”, as up to 88% of couples will conceive spontaneously in less than 12 months of unprotected intercourse. For purposes of diagnosing infertility, the total amount time they have been having unprotected intercourse on a relatively routine basis without getting pregnant is what counts.
Most couples who conceive spontaneously do so without using basal body temperature charts, ovulation predictor kits, or timed intercourse. If a couple has resorted to these measures, they probably need to see a fertility specialist.
When to see a fertility specialist depends on age and the regularity of the menstrual cycle
If a woman is younger than age 35 and is not pregnant after one year of trying, she should make an appointment with our San Antonio fertility center. A woman older than 35 who does not conceive within six months, should seek a fertility evaluation. As fertility declines with age, women older than 35 should seek fertility treatment sooner.
The above recommendations do not apply to everyone. Women who do not ovulate regularly (whether or not they have a diagnosis of PCOS), those who have had previous pelvic infections or surgery, and women who know they have fibroids, endometriosis, or other pelvic conditions should visit a fertility specialist as soon as they are ready to try to conceive. From a fertility perspective, regular ovulation means monthly menstrual cycles occur every 26-32 days. If a woman’s cycle is not this regular, she may not be ovulating. She should therefore schedule an appointment to find out why and what fertility treatments will correct this problem.
Finally, if a woman has had chemotherapy in the past or has been diagnosed with – for cancer or an autoimmune disorder – she should consider seeking help right away, or sooner than what is recommended above.
If you’d like more information about our fertility specialists and available treatment, please contact us today. Our experienced and compassionate team can help you overcome the complex causes of infertility.