About 10% of women aged 15 to 44 in the United States have difficulty getting or staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Infertility is defined by women not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying, or six months for women age 35 and older. Although a common problem, infertility can be devastating for couples looking to conceive.
Risk Factors & Signs of Infertility
The risk factors that accompany infertility affect men and women differently. For women, the inability to ovulate is the most prevalent sign of potential infertility. Signs that a woman is not ovulating include irregular or absent menstrual periods.
Other causes of infertility in women include:
- Blocked fallopian tubes (from conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ectopic pregnancy)
- Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous muscle, and tumors on the uterine walls.
- Physical problems with the uterus
Lifestyle factors can also affect fertility. For men, smoking cigarettes or marijuana and excessive alcohol consumption can affect sperm count and movement. For women, fertility issues can be linked to being underweight, overweight, or excessive exercising.
If you think you are at a greater risk of infertility, schedule an appointment with a qualified fertility doctor like those at Sylacauga Obstetrics & Gynecology. We can review your medical history, discuss your lifestyle habits, and run tests to determine infertility.
Your Infertility Visit
An infertility evaluation assesses the underlying causes of why you and your partner haven’t been successful in getting pregnant.
During your first infertility visit, you and your partner will be asked questions pertaining to your health and sexual history.
Health questions include:
- What medications are you taking, including OTC, prescription and herbal remedies
- Occupation
- Use of tobacco, illicit drugs or alcohol
- STIs
- Illnesses
- Past surgeries
- Past pregnancies and family history of birth defects
Questions about you and your partner’s sexual history include:
- Birth control methods
- Difficulties with sex, and frequency
- Prior sexual relationships
- How long you’ve been trying to become pregnant
- Illnesses
- Past surgeries
- Past pregnancies and family history of birth defects
Fertility Tests in Sylacauga, AL
If you have had difficulty conceiving, staying pregnant, or are showing signs of infertility, you should consult a fertility doctor. These specialized doctors can run tests to determine your fertility.
In most cases, a doctor will order an ultrasound and several fertility tests:
Urine Tests
A urine test allows you to better plan for successful conception by determining an increase in the luteinizing hormone levels. A surge in this hormone triggers the release of an egg, so if this test result is positive, it suggests you will ovulate in the next day or two. You can purchase a urine test at any drug store for a home evaluation.
Basal Body Temperature
At the time of ovulation, a woman’s body temperature increases and remains elevated for the entirety of her menstrual cycle. Charting monthly temperature changes can confirm ovulation, but, unfortunately, cannot predict it.
Thyroid Function Tests
An improperly functioning thyroid can lead to problems with fertility. A thyroid function test can check your hormone levels to determine if your thyroid is working normally.
Male Fertility Tests
Doctors often order a semen analysis for men who suspect they have fertility issues to determine the amount of sperm, its shape, and its mobility.
HSG – Hysterosalpingogram
We perform HSG tests in our radiology department to look for uterine anomalies and tubal patency. During the test, our doctors can determine whether the fallopian tubes are open or blocked.
For reliable fertility testing in Sylacauga, Alabama, contact Sylacauga Obstetrics & Gynecology by phone, (256) 249-6995, or via our contact form.
Schedule An Appointment With A Fertility Doctor in Sylacauga, AL
Infertility can be mentally, physically, and emotionally draining for men and women. Speaking to a fertility doctor can help ease the burden and get the answers you need to conceive successfully.
Sylacauga Obstetrics & Gynecology has a qualified, knowledgeable team of doctors who provide infertility treatment in Sylacauga, Alabama. We have been Sylacauga’s first choice for high-quality women’s health for over a decade.
To schedule a fertility consultation, give Sylacauga Obstetrics & Gynecology a call, (256) 249-6995, or send us a message via our online form.