There is nothing quite like the anticipation and excitement of starting a family for numerous couples. Unfortunately, if you are like millions of American women who have tried to conceive without success, this excitement could quickly turn into frustration, anxiety, and stress. If this sounds familiar, you might wonder if it is time to pursue medical help. Bedford infertility specialist recommends seeking professional assistance if you have failed to conceive after about a year of trying. However, there are numerous other signs that you should see a fertility specialist. Read on to learn more.
1. You Are Above 40
Given the advancements in medical technology, it has never been safer to give birth in the past 40 years. Nonetheless, some risks and problems might arise when trying to conceive. Aging impacts egg quality and quantity as well. The decline in egg quality renders the likelihood of a miscarriage greater in older women. Therefore, before trying to conceive, it is important to consider consulting a fertility specialist to discuss the risks.
2. You Have a Thyroid Disorder
A significant percentage of women develop thyroid problems. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are unaware of their condition. One common thyroid disorder is an under-active thyroid, which leads to hypothyroidism. Reduced levels of thyroid hormones lead to irregular menses and affect ovulation.
If you have a recognized thyroid problem, keeping track of your hormone levels before getting pregnant is crucial. Your fertility doctor can help you improve your chances of conceiving, and work with you to monitor the thyroid hormone to promote a healthy pregnancy and reduce the likelihood of miscarriage.
3. You Have Suffered Multiple Miscarriages
A huge percentage of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. While losses are hard to experience, miscarriages do not reflect infertility. If you suffer more than one miscarriage, you should consider a professional assessment to establish if there is an underlying unidentified cause. Miscarriages could be due to genetic problems, anatomic issues, infections, fluctuating hormone levels, cervical problems, or other underlying problems.
4. You Have Been Diagnosed with Cancer
Cancer therapy can affect a woman’s capability to conceive, based on her age, type of procedure, and dosage. If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, you may adopt proactive measures to preserve your fertility. However, if you have already undergone treatment, your fertility doctor will offer you an evaluation that helps establish if the procedures affected your infertility.
5. You Have a History of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
STIs are primarily spread through sexual interactions. For women, these conditions can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, which keep the sperm and egg from meeting. Likewise, STIs can lead to recurring infections in men that affect sperm mobility, count, and function. Therefore, if you or your partner have a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), you should see a fertility doctor.
Planning for pregnancy could be challenging. Therefore, if you are prepared for a kid, but experience pregnancy difficulties, it may be time to explore your options. Numerous individuals forget that infertility impacts both men and women equally. So, both you and your partner should seek specialist care. Although this process could seem overwhelming, numerous caring specialists can help you navigate it. Based on the underlying cause of your fertility problem, your doctor will provide an individualized solution.