Family Planning
Are you currently planning the growth of your family? Are you looking for the best method to avoid conception? Dr. Chapman can answer your questions about birth control, with information and guidance on the methods available to postpone conception.
If you have concerns about your ability to become pregnant, they will discuss fertility issues and develop a treatment regimen. After further evaluation, if necessary, you may be referred to an infertility specialist.
What is infertility? How will I know if I have a fertility problem? What if it's really my husband who has the problem?
Infertility is defined as a couple's inability to become pregnant after 1 year of sex without using birth control. When considering whether you may have an infertility problem, however, bear in mind that normal fertility is considered the ability to naturally conceive within 2 years' time. Sometimes, succeeding in getting pregnant is just a matter of determining when you are most fertile. We can show you ways of determining when you are most fertile. There are also products on the market which may help you in detecting the subtle changes in your body that happen on your most fertile days.
Of all couples who have not conceived after a year, about half will go on to conceive naturally in the following year. If you are a younger couple, this is encouraging news. However, if you are 35 or older, another year may be too long to wait before seeking testing and treatment.
This is because a woman's fertility naturally declines from her mid-30s into her 40s, as her egg supply ages. At the same time, her risk of miscarriage increases. Although a man's sperm count also decreases with age, male fertility is not known to be greatly affected by age, the way a woman's is.
What causes infertility?
Infertility can be caused by problems with either the man's or woman's reproductive system, or both. Some conditions are hormonal and others may be due to structural problems in the reproductive organs. It may be necessary to surgically repair these areas.
Half of all couples tested for a cause of infertility are affected by a problem with the woman's fallopian tubes or uterus, or by her ability to ovulate. About one-third find that their infertility is caused by problems in the male reproductive tract. Some couples find that both partners have problems that are contributing to their infertility. And in about 10% of infertile couples, we just can't determine the cause of their infertility, even with thorough testing.
Should I be tested?
Experts usually recommend that fertility testing begin at home. By learning to be aware of the subtle signs of fertility, and by taking readings of the basal body temperature, a woman can identify her fertile period. Some couples are surprised to learn that they've simply been missing or miscalculating their most fertile days when trying to conceive.
If you have any of the following situations, then come visit us to discuss these situations:
- An obvious physical problem
- An absence of ejaculation or ovulation
- Menstrual irregularities) or have
- A history of repeated miscarriages or pelvic inflammatory disease
If you are in your mid-30s or older and have been unable to conceive after six months of regular sex at what you think is the most fertile time, or if you're in your 20s to early 30s and have been unable to conceive after a year or more of regular sex, then you should probably schedule a visit and let's find out what is going on with you.
How about male infertility?
Initial testing for a couple's cause of infertility evaluates both partners' lifestyle, habits and health. The initial focus will also be on sperm and egg production, which means you'll be checked for sperm counts and ability to ovulate. If no cause is found, you can decide whether to proceed with further testing.
What kind of treatment is available?
Infertility treatment ranges from simple home treatment to specialized surgical, hormonal, and assisted reproductive technology treatments. Some of these can have high financial, physical, and emotional costs.
Before trying treatment for infertility, you'll want to think and talk about your financial situation, the emotional demands of such treatments, and other aspects that can be involved.
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