When to Seek Help
Whether you are aiming to maximize your chances of having a successful pregnancy or you are experiencing difficulties conceiving, a routine fertility evaluation can provide important insights to reveal the best route forward on your path to achieving your family goals.
When to See a Fertility Doctor
Consult a fertility specialist as soon as possible if:
You’re <35 and have been trying to become pregnant unsuccessfully for 1 year
You’re >35 and have been trying to become pregnant unsuccessfully for 6 months
You should also consult a fertility specialist if you answer “Yes” to any of the following:
You have extremely painful periods
You have irregular or absent periods
You have a history or known diagnosis of PCOS or endometriosis
You have had an STD or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
You’ve had more than two or more miscarriages
You’ve had surgery on your appendix, uterus or ovaries
You’ve had mumps
You’ve had surgery on your testicles or for a hernia
You experience difficulty getting or maintaining an erection or ejaculating
Three reasons to not delay professional fertility assistance
It is increasingly common to decide to have children later in life. However, if you require fertility solutions, it's important not to wait too long to see a fertility specialist. Here’s three reasons why from our Generation Fertility experts:
Age
Many people are aware that their window of fertility eventually closes, but it can be surprising to learn that the fertility of egg providers tends to decline as early as their thirties. At age 40, the risks for issues and challenges with parent and baby increase. Fertility in sperm providers also decreases around the age of 40 with declining sperm quality. The earlier you decide to get help, the better the opportunity for successful outcomes.
Cost
As the quality of the egg or sperm decreases over time, costs can increase due to increased difficulty to aid with fertility. Simpler treatments that work in younger people may not work in older people. Those who are more advanced in age may need more cycles of treatment, which will be more expensive. If the egg or sperm is no longer viable, you may also need to use an egg or sperm donation to conceive, which will incur additional costs.
Health
Overall health can also be affected with age. You may be in good health at age 20, but if you develop prediabetes, fibroids, thyroid disease or reach an unhealthy weight as time passes, it will be harder for you to get pregnant. If you are planning to start a family, try to stay healthy and do not delay the necessary treatments. To learn more about our fertility preservation services, please visit our Preserving Fertility page.
Learn More About the Fertility Journey
Get our "What to Expect" Guide to learn how our caring team can help you thrive on your journey to parenthood. Meet our fertility doctors, gain an understanding for each step of the process, learn about treatment options, and find out more on financial planning options available.
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