When to See a Fertility Specialist: 5 Signs It’s Time
Deciding that you’re ready to start or expand your family is an exciting time. But as months go by without a positive pregnancy test, it’s normal that you might start to wonder whether something is wrong. Roughly 19% of individuals struggle to get pregnant within one year. If you’re one of them, you know how quickly anticipation and excitement can turn to stress, worry, and fear that your time will never come. Fortunately, amazing strides have been made in the field of reproductive medicine, and many individuals have had success with the use of fertility treatments like IUI or IVF.
What is a Fertility Specialist?
A fertility specialist, also called a reproductive endocrinologist, is a doctor who specializes in female and male infertility, working with individuals and couples who have been unable to conceive naturally. This specialty is a subset of obstetrics and gynecology, with a focus on infertility due to both known and unknown factors. If you’re questioning what doctor to see when trying to get pregnant, you may have heard that the common recommendation is to wait until you have been trying to get pregnant for one year (or six months if you are 35 or older) before seeing a fertility specialist.
What Does a Fertility Doctor Do?
Fertility doctors are trained in a wide range of techniques and procedures related to the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive issues. Some of the services offered by a fertility doctor may include:
- Fertility consultations
- Fertility counseling
- Genetic testing and counseling
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other procedures
- Egg freezing and preservation
- Egg donations and surrogacy
When you go in for your initial fertility consultation, you’ll get an in-depth overview of what services are available to you, as well as what your recommended next steps are.
When to See a Fertility Specialist
All situations are unique, and it’s up to you when you decide to seek specialized care related to infertility. That being said, there are a number of signs that you’re better off making an appointment with a fertility specialist sooner rather than later.
If You’re 35+ and Haven’t Conceived After Six Months
The quantity and quality of eggs that a woman has to do decline with age. And while being 35 or older does not necessarily mean that you will have trouble conceiving, if you’ve been trying for at least six months without any results, a fertility evaluation may be the next step.
If You Meet the Qualifications for an Infertility Diagnosis
A woman is considered to be infertile if she has failed to become pregnant within one year despite having well-timed and unprotected sex. Certain conditions can result in an infertility diagnosis, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. If any of these diagnostic criteria apply to you, it’s worth consulting a fertility specialist and having a full work-up done to evaluate your chances of natural conception and discuss whether treatment may be a good way to go.
If You Have Concerns About Your Reproductive Health
You know your body better than anyone. Working with a fertility specialist may be advised if you have irregular or unpredictable periods. However, you can make an appointment with a fertility specialist anytime in your fertility journey if you have concerns about your reproductive health.