You thought starting a family would be easy. But month after month… nothing.
You’re not alone. For many hopeful parents, the road to parenthood is filled with more questions than answers. And the most pressing one is:
When should I start getting concerned and have an infertility assessment?
At Procreate IVF, we understand how deeply personal this question is. Whether you’re just starting your family or planning your IVF journey, knowing when to seek guidance is important. If you have been trying for a while, seeking guidance is essential. This can be the first step toward answers, clarity, and hope.
Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Difficulty getting pregnant after one year of trying. If you have been actively trying to conceive for a year without success, it may be a sign of infertility. Consult your healthcare provider for an evaluation. This can help you understand the reasons behind the difficulty. They can guide you towards the right solutions.
- Irregular or absent menstrual cycles: These could show underlying health issues. Such issues may impact your fertility. We recommend that you monitor and track your cycles, as this information will be needed during your fertility journey.
- A history of miscarriages: Miscarriages can also be a sign of infertility. They may show underlying issues. These issues affect the ability to carry a pregnancy to full term. It is important to divulge this history during your evaluation.
- Medical conditions: If you or your partner have known reproductive health issues, these increase the risk of infertility. Examples include PCOS or Endometriosis. A low sperm count can also contribute to this risk. Discussing such conditions will help improve your fertility outcome.
Your Age Matters
Fertility naturally declines over time, especially after age 35. Medical guidelines suggest you should consider a fertility health assessment if you are between 35 and 40. This is particularly important if you have been trying to conceive for 6 months. Early intervention can help find and fix any issues. This increases your chances of a successful pregnancy.
If you are 40+ and are not pregnant within 3 months of trying, consult with a specialist. Try not to lose hope. There are many IVF treatments available now for ladies in this age range. If you can’t have IVF treatment in your country, other countries are ready to welcome you. They are waiting with open arms.
What Happens During an Infertility Evaluation?
You’ll start with a chat about your medical history and then a physical examination. This will help your healthcare provider understand all possible factors. They can then see what is affecting your fertility health. You will need to have blood tests and scans. These will include an AMH test to check your ovarian reserve. You’ll also have an AFC (Antral Follicle Count) scan to check the number of follicles you have on each ovary. These tests will help the doctor discover hormonal problems. They will also detect issues with egg quantity and quality.
An HSG (hysterosalpingogram) may also be recommended. This is an X-ray dye test that looks at your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. These tests help spot anything unusual that is getting in the way of conception.
Semen Analysis
If you are in a couple, then your partner will be asked to have a semen analysis test. This test analyses the quantity and quality of the sperm. The test checks the following:
- Sperm Count: The number of sperm in the sample. (if the count is low, then it may be difficult to conceive naturally.)
- Volume: The amount of semen in the sample (a low volume can cause infertility.)
- Sperm Concentration: How close they are together (low concentration can be a problem.)
- Sperm Motility: The number of sperm that are moving ahead (they must move ahead to fertilise the egg.)
- Sperm Morphology: The number of sperm that are of normal shape (abnormally shaped sperm may not manage to fertilise the egg.)
- PH: Sperm acidity (abnormal acidity can kill off sperm or affect movement.)
- White Blood Cells: If there are white blood cells in the sperm, this is a sign of infection that will affect fertility.
If you learn that the semen analysis results aren’t normal, don’t panic! It doesn’t mean permanent infertility, but it does mean that sperm could be part of the problem.
Your Fertility. Your Timeline
Knowing when to be evaluated for infertility isn’t about panic, it’s about power. The sooner you understand your reproductive health, the more options you have. By seeking evaluation, you can take control of your fertility journey. Discussing options with a fertility specialist helps in working towards achieving your family goals. It is important to remember that early intervention and treatment can make a significant difference in improving fertility outcomes.
Whether you’re planning ahead or already facing challenges, Procreate IVF is here with compassionate, expert care that centres around you.
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