How Long Should I Wait to See a Fertility Specialist?November 17, 2016
We understand that those trying for a pregnancy are anxious to conceive, and the instinct to seek medical care within a few months of trying to get pregnant naturally may seem logical. Fertility Solutions understand the stress that those who wish to conceive immediately can feel when it doesn’t happen right away, but our team also wanted to clear up some misconceptions about when is the right time to seek a fertility diagnosis.
Factor one: Your age
Your age is probably going to be the first factor anyone who is trying to conceive should consider. If you are under the age of 35, you can try to conceive naturally for one year before reaching out to your gynecologist, who will then determine if a fertility specialist is needed. This can surprise many couples who expect to conceive within a few months, but getting pregnant can take more time than you expect. It’s important not to panic if you are younger than 35 and it takes more than six months to conceive.
If you are 35 or older, you should reach out to your gynecologist if you haven’t conceived within six months. Women older than 35 seek care earlier because age directly correlates to female fertility. As women age, the number of viable eggs to achieve a pregnancy decreases, as does the quality of these eggs, making it more difficult to get pregnant without assisted reproductive care (fertility treatment).
Factor two: A medical condition
Regardless of your age, certain medical conditions or medications can affect your fertility. This is true for both men and women, but there are several disorders in women that specifically impact the reproductive system. For women, conditions like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can make it hard to conceive or difficult to maintain a healthy pregnancy. If you have one of these conditions or believe that a different medical issue is affecting your fertility, reach out to your gynecologist sooner rather than later to discuss your concerns and determine if there is a need to involve a fertility specialist.
Cancer and cancer treatment can also impact fertility and the ability to conceive. Learn how cancer can affect your future family planning goals.