[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/talking-doctor-fertility\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/talking-doctor-fertility\/","headline":"How to Talk to Your Doctor About Fertility","name":"How to Talk to Your Doctor About Fertility","description":"If pregnancy isn\u2019t occurring as quickly as you expected, you may begin to wonder if you have an infertility issue. When is it time to see a doctor?\r\n","datePublished":"2017-04-04","dateModified":"2021-03-18","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/talking-doctor-fertility.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/talking-doctor-fertility.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/talking-doctor-fertility\/","about":["Men's Health","Pregnancy and Childbirth","Women's Health"],"wordCount":712,"keywords":["fertility","Infertility","Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC","Men's Health","OBGYN","pregnancy","women's health"],"articleBody":"If pregnancy isn\u2019t occurring as quickly as you expected, you may begin to wonder if you have an infertility issue. When is it time to see a doctor?Discussing family planning can be difficult, but couples should keep an open line of communication with their doctor to address issues early.\u201cIt can start with your primary care physician or your gynecologist,\u201d said Marie Menke, MD, MPH, a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the\u00a0Center for Fertility and Reproductive Endocrinology at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.\u201cYou can start the conversation by saying, \u2018I\u2019ve been trying for this long. What do you think I should do next?\u2019\u201dSigns You Should Talk to Your Doctor About InfertilityCouples who have been trying to become pregnant for more than a year should speak to a doctor about the possibility of fertility testing. Likewise, if you are older than 35 and have been trying for more than six months, speak to a doctor.RELATED:\u00a0When Should I Seek Out a Fertility Specialist?\u201cThe decline in fertility does become a little more rapid in the 30s, so we want to intervene early if we can for those couples,\u201d Dr. Menke said.You should also begin a conversation with your doctor if you have a history of:Irregular or frequently missed periodsUterine fibroidsEndometriosisGonorrhea, chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted diseasesTypes of Fertility TestingYour doctor will perform several tests to determine your level of fertility. To do this, they must look at two factors: Your ability to conceive as well as your ability to carry a healthy pregnancy.A physical and pelvic exam, as well as an in-depth look at your medical historyAn assessment of your ovarian reserve as an estimate of egg qualityTesting to confirm ovulation is still occurringAn evaluation of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubesHormonal testingDoctors typically only turn to in vitro fertilization\u00a0as a last resort, Menke said.\u201cThere could be a variety of underlying reasons for infertility,\u201d Dr. Menke said. \u201cThe treatment we turn to often depends on the cause. There are oral medications that can help you ovulate. If it\u2019s something tubal, sometimes the issue can be repaired surgically.\u201dFertility Issues in MenAll men, regardless of age, should undergo a semen analysis.\u201cI tell most of my patients that there could be a problem with either of them \u2014 men should also be evaluated,\u201d Dr. Menke said. \u201cAbout 40 percent of the time, there is a contributing factor from the male partner.\u201dRELATED:\u00a0New Solutions for Male Infertility\u00a0Lifestyle Changes and FertilityFor couples looking to conceive after going off contraception, there is no \u201cmagic timeline,\u201d Dr. Menke said. In some cases, conception after ending birth control may take several months. You should talk to your doctor about your family planning needs.Several lifestyle factors can spell fertility troubles, including smoking, being overweight, or suffering chronic anxiety.The Center for Fertility and Reproductive Endocrinology at Magee-Womens Hospital offers state-of-the-art infertility services for men and women. Visit the center\u2019s website or call 412-641-1600 for more information.Smoking\u201cSmoking is detrimental to your egg quality,\u201d Dr. Menke said.Men who smoke are more likely to have damaged DNA in their sperm, and regular tobacco use can affect hormone production, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ObesityBeing overweight or obese can cause hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, and ovulation problems, according to the CDC. Obese women may have trouble conceiving even if they are ovulatory.\u00a0 But Dr. Menke cautions that women who are underweight or who regularly exercise excessively may also have difficulty conceiving.Stress\u201cWe know stress plays a big role in infertility, but it\u2019s difficult to quantify,\u201d Dr. Menke said. \u201cThere are a lot of studies that show stress is present in many cases of infertility, but we don\u2019t know if it\u2019s a chicken or egg.\u201dCouples should talk to their doctor about the emotional toll of infertility. Dr. Menke said Magee-Womens Hospital has a social worker on staff to help patients work through the stress associated with fertility procedures.\u201cThere are a lot of support groups out there too \u2014 RESOLVE is a really great national group that focuses on infertility issues,\u201d Menke said. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Talk to Your Doctor About Fertility","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/04\/talking-doctor-fertility\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]