An idea of what to expect at that first infertility consultation.
You could be on the point of seeing the doctor hoping to learn why you haven’t been able to get pregnant even though you’ve been trying for a while. Or you could still be delaying it because you’re not sure of what to expect. You won’t have any reason to keep delaying that initial infertility consultation if you have an idea of what to expect, so here it is.
This is what the doctor will want to know.
- Even though you tried to forget those turbulent teenage years, you’ll have to try and remember when puberty began for you, and the ladies will need to work out when they started menstruating. Late or early puberty might be indications of a problem.
- Any health issues you currently have or that you have had in the past are important. That includes childhood illnesses such as diabetes, acne, mumps – everything! Your fertility could have been caused by the illness, or by the medication for that sickness.
- Any operations? Tooth extractions, appendectomy, tonsillectomy – again, anything!
- Are you on any chronic medication? Are there any other medications you use reasonably often? Have you taken chronic medication before? Any supplements or vitamins?
- When was your earliest sexual encounter? Have you been with many sexual partners? Ever been infected with an STD? STDs could bring about infertility and if girls become sexually active before 18 their cervix wellbeing could also be affected.
For the ladies:
- How many days are your menstrual cycles and how many days does your bleeding last? Is bleeding rather heavy (or very light)? Is cramping severe?
- Approximately how many times a week do you do the baby dance? It’s clear that not doing it often enough could be a problem, but doing it too frequently can decrease your sperm count.
- How does your sexual intercourse correlate with the lady’s fertile times? This is to check if you are having intercourse around or during ovulation.
- Have you already had a baby or been pregnant before? It seems like an odd thing to ask but every so often couples do battle for a second time. Also, a history of miscarriages might also be a sign of a problem.
- Do you make use of lubricant? What lubricant do you use? Any other intimacy enhancing products? Some lubricants are unwelcoming for sperm – hence the awkward enquiry.
- Do you or your partner have any sexual problems? Inability to climax? Vaginal dryness? Pain? Problems getting an erection? Yup, it gets rather delicate – but your doctor has to know everything to make an accurate diagnosis.
You may not be feeling too stable after such a grilling, but your specialist will also want to know how you are doing psychologically. Aim to make sure that you have spoken about all this information with your partner before you get to the specialist. Finding out about your partner’s dodgy past for the first time at the doctor’s room is not conducive to emotional stability!
The specialist may need to confirm that all your parts are there and in good working order, and ladies, this will most likely include a quick internal exam for you. It may feel like a lot all at one time, but it’s a good idea to try and recall that the specialist only wants to be of assistance, and that internal examinations are part of the process. Try to get used to it – you’ll need to undergo at least a few more when you eventually do conceive.
Depending on your responses to these questions, the specialist may ask you to have some infertility tests done. For the ladies this includes a pap smear, and for the men, a semen analysis. Both partners may have STD checks, blood tests or ultrasound scanning. Ladies might also need a laparoscopy or hysterosalpingogram to check for any structural difficulties.
Was that as horrid as you thought it would be? If it was, I completely understand! You may feel completely exposed, inside and outside! Just remember that this is to help you get pregnant – and trust me when that little hand folds itself over your finger someday, this will all seem very small in comparison.
Here is more information on Infertility Costs. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility.
