How Long Should I Wait Before Seeing a Fertility Specialist?

When people have their mind set on starting a family or expanding the one they already have, they often want it “now,” and patience can be difficult. Trying to conceive to no avail is frustrating, and every month that passes without bringing those cherished two pink lines can feel like a setback. The doubt of being infertile starts to creep in, and with it comes confusion, sadness, anger, and the big unknown: “What do we do now?”

The general rule of thumb is for couples to see a reproductive specialist after one year of trying if the woman is under 35 years old. If the woman is older than 35, it’s advisable to seek help sooner, after six months. The reason for this is that a woman is born with her ovarian reserve, and as she gets older, this reserve diminishes, and egg quality decreases. The sooner a problem is identified, the better the chances are for fertility treatments to be successful.

Not getting pregnant after having unprotected intercourse for months, especially if it is timed and cycles are tracked, is one of the biggest reasons couples tend to see a specialist. However, infertility means more than just not getting pregnant. Getting pregnant but being unable to stay pregnant is another significant concern. Similarly, not being able to get pregnant after having already had one or several children is called secondary infertility, and almost 12% of women worldwide struggle with it.

If you’re unsure whether to keep trying or make an appointment for help, here’s a list of the main reasons people decide to go to a fertility clinic:

Inability to Get Pregnant

Research suggests that a healthy couple having regular, unprotected intercourse should achieve a natural pregnancy within a maximum of 12 months. The threshold is lowered if the woman is over 35 because the success of fertility treatments heavily relies on egg quality. The older the female patient, the lower the success rates, so it’s better to be proactive and seek help rather than waiting until it might be too late.

Recurrent Miscarriage

The sad reality of trying to conceive is that 1 out of 4 women will have at least one miscarriage during their reproductive years. Most of these miscarriages are caused by chromosomal issues that might not be preventable, especially if the couple is trying to conceive naturally. Miscarriages are an incredibly heavy emotional burden. When a woman experiences two or more early pregnancy losses, it’s termed recurrent pregnancy loss. There are multiple causes for this, ranging from faulty chromosomes, uterine issues, severe male factor, infectious diseases, clotting disorders, hormonal imbalances, or autoimmune issues. The only way to know for sure what is causing recurrent pregnancy losses is to see a reproductive specialist who will thoroughly assess the couple.

Irregular Cycles or Lack of Ovulation

A cycle is considered regular when it occurs every month, even if cycle length may vary from one woman to another or even from month to month for the same woman. Women who have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) may experience longer cycles, sometimes even going months without having a menstruation. This is often caused by a lack of ovulation, which is one of the biggest issues women with PCOS face. A fertility specialist will be able to determine if you are ovulating and, if not, to identify if you have a hormonal imbalance preventing ovulation.

Endometriosis

If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis and have been unsuccessful in getting pregnant, know that while natural conception isn’t technically impossible, you might be at risk for infertility. Endometriosis can impact fertility in several ways, from scarring the ovary to damaging the lining of the uterus, thereby impairing implantation. Some women with severe endometriosis may even need surgery to remove endometriomas before attempting fertility treatment.

Most people think that making an appointment at a fertility clinic automatically signs them up for IVF, and this can be daunting for several reasons: they may not be financially prepared, emotionally ready, or they may have preferred nature to take its course, never expecting to find themselves in the situation of being infertile.

While IVF may sometimes be the only option, there may be other options worth exploring, depending on your specific problem. The biggest advantage of seeing a reproductive specialist is first to eliminate doubt and clarify your situation.

A doctor will conduct a thorough assessment of your couple’s sexual health. This may include:

• For her: Hormonal testing, an ultrasound to check your uterine cavity, ovaries, and count your antral follicles, and a hysterosalpingogram to check your fallopian tubes.
• For him: A complete semen analysis, sometimes coupled with a DNA fragmentation test.
• For both: Genetic testing, especially where there is a risk of consanguinity.

Once all results are ready, the doctor, sometimes accompanied by a geneticist, will meet with both of you to discuss all available options to help you achieve your dream of parenthood.

Once you’ve made up your mind to see a doctor, know that at ART Fertility Clinics, you are in the best hands. Our teams are highly qualified in providing the most accurate diagnostics and offering you personalized treatment options based on your individual needs. 

You can now make an appointment at one of our three clinics and talk to our reproductive specialists. Let us be part of your journey and guide you all the way to a successful fertility outcome!