Fertility Education

Do I need to see an infertility specialist? 

If you are under the age of 35 and have been trying to conceive for over a year it is likely time to see a specialist for an infertility work up. If you are over the age of 35 it is recommended that you see an infertility specialist after 6 months of trying to conceive. 

I am thinking about getting pregnant and I am interested in learning more about my fertility. Do you offer preconception consultations? 

Yes! We offer a 15 minute consultation where we perform hormone testing, an ultrasound and discuss your reproductive plan for conception. 

What is unexplained infertility? 

Unexplained infertility is when you have undergone full infertility testing and no cause has clearly been identified for why you have been unable to conceive. There are several options for treating unexplained infertility including ovulation indication (OU) and intrauterine inseminations (IUI) as well as in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

What is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)? 

PCOS is a condition where the ovaries produce high levels of androgens (male sex hormones). These hormones cause a lot of follicles (sometimes called “cysts”) to be present on the ovaries. People with PCOS generally do not have regular menstrual cycles because they are not ovulating each month. This often makes getting pregnant very difficult for people with PCOS. Other symptoms of PCOS are acne or oily skin, facial or body hair growth, male-pattern baldness or thinning hair. The good news is we are PCOS experts! There are many options for getting pregnant with PCOS. 

What is endometriosis? 

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the inside of your uterus grows on other parts of your body. This tissue causes uncomfortable symptoms that can affect your fertility and wellbeing. The most common symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, pain with sex, abdominal and back pain, and heavy periods. Because endometriosis can cause infertility, we recommend seeing a fertility specialist earlier in your fertility journey if you have ever been told you may have endometriosis. 

What if my ovulation predictor kit (OPK) is never positive? 

This likely indicates that you are not ovulating. You may need a medication to help you ovulate each month. 

I am not having regular menstrual cycles, how can I time intercourse to conceive? 

If you are not having regular cycles, you are likely not ovulating. We would recommend coming in for a consultation to discuss options for ovulation induction. 

My OB GYN prescribed me clomid, but I still have not been able to conceive. What should I do now? 

We recommend coming in for a fertility consultation. We will perform an additional work up including evaluation of your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovarian reserve. You may need additional help conceiving such as an intrauterine insemination. 

I had my tubes tied, can I still have a baby? 

If you have had your tubes tied or a “tubal ligation” there are options for having a baby in the future. Depending on the type of surgery you had, you may be a candidate for a tubal reversal. This is a surgery where we reconnect the fallopian tubes so that you can try to get pregnant. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is always an option for patients that have had their tubes tied, as IVF does not require functional fallopian tubes.