If pregnancy has not started within one year, studies to examine the cause for infertility are in order. Examinations may be initiated earlier, if the woman has gynecological problems, like pain in the lower abdomen or disturbed periods, or if either the woman or the man (or both) has some chronic illness or uses medication that might cause infertility problems. Such illnesses are, e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, infectious bowel disease, celiac disease and some rheumatic illnesses. Fertility decreases also over time and a woman aged 35 should not wait a whole year for pregnancy to start, but unsuccessful pregnancy attempts for half a year are a sufficient reason to start fertility studies.
It’s best if the couple comes together to the doctor’s appointment. Infertility studies are started by examination of the woman’s reproductive organs (pelvic exam and ultrasound). The concentration of certain hormones is determined by blood sampling and, if needed, a separate ultrasound study is performed to check that the fallopian tubes are open. A sperm sample provided by the man is analyzed.
Based on these examinations the doctor evaluates if it is still possible to wait and see if pregnancy starts or if it is better to do some more tests and consider starting fertility treatment. The treatment is guided by the findings.
We treat also self-sufficient women and female couples.
