QUESTION: When should I see a fertility doctor?

Published on

There are many factors that would suggest a trip to a fertility specialist would be a good idea. You should consider your partner’s age, whether you are generally healthy, the method of birth control you’ve been using up until the point you decided to try to become pregnant, and you and your partner’s family medical history, etc. Reasons for fertility testing are varied, but possibilities may include pre-existing conditions in one of the partners, a family history of health issues, or simply because a woman may want to pursue a career before starting a family.

If you are over the age of thirty and have been trying to conceive for more than six months, American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) suggests that you make an appointment to see a fertility specialist right away. The earlier, the better in fact.

If you are under thirty years old and have been trying to conceive without success for more than six months, then it may be time to book a consultation with a fertility specialist to determine whether simple three step testing would be recommended.

Certain conditions such as endometriosis, ectopic pregnancies, blocked fallopian tubes, miscarriages, uterine fibroids or polyps, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pain during intercourse, or irregular menstrual cycles may affect your chances at successful conception on your own. If you have a history of any of these conditions and plan to start a family, you should see a fertility specialist as early as possible.

In a recent poll, 90% couples undergoing fertility treatments reported they wished they had seen a fertility specialist earlier. When you consider success rates rise the earlier the detection of certain obstacles, and success rates decline the older a patient is, the more a short trip to see a fertility specialist becomes a clear choice for anyone who think they might be at risk or who has been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for any period of time.

Dr. Allen Morgan, M.D.
Allen Morgan Fertility and Reproductive Medicine
Lakewood • Eatontown/Ocean • Galloway • Old Bridge
732-363-4777 | www.MorganFertility.com