When Should I Consider a Fertility Assessment?
Fertility assessments are often recommended based on age and how long you’ve been trying to conceive.
If you are under 35 years old and have been having regular, unprotected sex for a year without getting pregnant, your provider will recommend a fertility assessment. If you’re over 35, a fertility assessment is recommended after six months of trying to conceive. Those over 40 should ask about a fertility assessment before trying to conceive.
Your provider may also recommend a fertility assessment if you’ve experienced miscarriages. Miscarriages are a difficult experience, and your provider is here to support you.
How Long Does a Fertility Assessment Take?
The length of a fertility assessment may depend on the tests your provider would like to run. It will not be completed in one appointment but likely across several menstrual cycles. This timeframe allows your provider to collect information at several stages in your cycle for a more accurate look at what may be causing infertility. Our providers work with every patient to try to meet their unique needs.
An important part of your assessment that you can do before your appointment is to gather your medical and family history. Some health conditions can affect fertility, such as:
- Polycystic Ovary System (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone levels)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Kidney Disease
- Autoimmune conditions
Your medical history informs your provider if any of these conditions have already been diagnosed. Your family history lets your provider know if anyone else in your family has struggled with infertility or if there is an unidentified condition that may have been passed down. Gathering this information saves time and gives you and your provider a great place to start.
What to Expect During a Fertility Assessment
Your provider will walk you through every aspect of your fertility assessment before it starts. During your appointment, your provider will review your medical history and likely do a pelvic exam, like one you would get annually.
You may be required to complete blood and urine tests. These tests measure your hormone levels to determine if your hormones are balanced, which can affect fertility and ovulation.
If your provider needs additional information, they may recommend imaging via an ultrasound exam or a sonohysterography, where fluid is injected into the cervix.
Minimally invasive surgical procedures, like a laparoscopy, allow your provider to see your reproductive system with a small camera, which lets us know about any structural causes of infertility. This procedure is called a hysteroscopy. You and your provider will review your fertility assessment options and select the tests that are appropriate for your specific situation.
Schedule a Fertility Assessment
Your Genesis OBGYN provider is here to help you grow your family. We’ll support you throughout the fertility assessment process and work towards your family goals. Contact us to request a fertility assessment today.
