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Falling pregnant should be a joyous and pleasurable time, however, these feelings can be quite different if you have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive. As someone who has treated women and couples in your position, my team and I appreciate and understand your thoughts and feelings.
Thankfully, modern medicine can help you with infertility treatments & answers
I appreciate that infertility is a very sensitive topic and one that can even be life-changing for some people. Through the years of helping women conceive I've learned that often finding the answer to "why" can be almost as important as actually falling pregnant for some couples.I want you to know that you are not alone in having to tackle this issue in your life. Thousands of other women and couples are with you on your journey to fall pregnant.
I'm also with you and will use my decades of experience as well as the latest clinical techniques to help you find the answers and results that you seek.
When to see your doctor about infertility?
It is generally accepted that you don't need to see a doctor for infertility unless you have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for a year. Of course, nothing in medicine is ever black and white. So this "one-year rule" may not apply to you if you identify with any of these conditions:- You have endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- You're age 35 to 40 and have been trying to conceive for six months or longer
- You're over age 40
- Your periods are very painful
- You have known fertility problems
- You've had multiple miscarriages
- You've undergone treatment for cancer
- Or if the male partner has signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function
- A low sperm count or other problems with sperm
- A history of testicular, prostate or sexual problems
- He has undergone treatment for cancer
- A history of mumps during childhood
- He has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis
- Testicles that are small in size or swelling in the scrotum known as a varicocele
- Other family members with infertility problems
What are the common risk factors for infertility?
Scientific research has proven that the risk factors for infertility are similar to those of many other obstetric and gynaecological conditions:- Female's Age: female fertility gradually declines with age, especially as you enter your mid-30s. Your ability to reproduce will drop rapidly after the age of 37. Advancing age has shown to impact the number and quality of your eggs. Other age-related health problems can also affect fertility.
- Man's Age: male partners over 40 may be less fertile than younger men are and may have higher rates of certain medical conditions in offspring, such as psychiatric disorders or certain cancers.
- Smoking: either tobacco or marijuana by either partner advances infertility and can affect the effectiveness of fertility treatment. We also know that miscarriages are more frequent in pregnant women who smoke. In men, smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction and can inhibit sperm count.
- Alcohol: has similar affects to those caused by smoking.
- Weight: you and your partner's weight can be a factor that stops you from conceiving. This applies whether you're underweight or overweight.
- Exercise: a lack of exercise will obviously affect your weight, particularly increasing your tendency to be obese. Conversely, over-exercising or strenuous exercise for women can also lead to ovulation problems.
Is IVF the only answer?
Absolutely not. Probably the biggest misconception about treating infertility is that IVF is the only solution. In fact, you may not need IVF or IVF treatments may not be suitable for you.Assessing and correcting lifestyle factors often leads to successful results for couples who have been trying to conceive. It is important to speak to an infertility specialist to understand what is causing your infertility symptoms and your options for treatment.
Because I'm a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist, I am qualified, skilled and trained to answer your questions about infertility and to recommend treatments that may help you, given your personal health and circumstances.
Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9775 8942 during business hours