Infertility

Can someone please explain to me when one should be considered infertile?

ETA...my Gyno told me when i first talked with her about TTC that it could take up to a YEAR of trying. That this was the average..

And i an not talking about people who have known gynological problems....but have een trying for a while with no avail...

when should a TTCer become concerned

So i am clueless

Someone please explain

Message edited 12/10/2006 10:10:54 PM.

Re: Infertility

If you've been trying for a year without any "help" (e.g. OPKs, charting,etc) then you should possibly go see a fertility specialist.

If you've been using other methods to help guide you,and they've been checking out OK (regular periods, +OPKs with CM, clear temp shift at O)then after 6 months I'd seek help to find out if there might be an issue such as blocked follicles, or possibly an issue with DH.

This is of course my opinion only. Some women may choose to wait longer or seek help earlier, depending on their situation.

Good luck!

Re: Infertility

Most doctors or clinics won't consider you "infertile" until you've been trying for at least a year (under 35) or 6 months (over 35).

Now, some people do lie to the clinics or their doc and tell them they've been trying a little longer so they can get in to see someone.

In my case, it was pretty obvious I was having issues since I went 100 plus days without AF. So I started with my regular OBGYN and after their solutions didn't work, I went to an RE.

Re: Infertility

If you feel like you're ready to move on to a specialist - then I'd lie if I were you. I've heard the one year thing as well, but I just can't fathom how it can take that long, if all is well, and we know exactly what's going on with our bodies. I can see it taking up to a year if you just stop birth control and BD whenever - but a lot of the ladies on this board have their O date pinpointed. Personally, I'm entering month 5 of actively trying - if nothing happens in the next few months (by month 8 or 9) I plan to say I've been trying for a year just to get in to see someone. Good luck!!

Message edited 1/26/2007 8:01:43 PM.

Re: Infertility

Maybe it is time to see a fertility specialist, although you I read that you said you would never go that route? My friend went after 7 months of not getting pregnant.

Good Luck whatever you decide!

Message edited 12/11/2006 12:07:12 AM.

Re: Infertility

Re: Infertility

DH and I have been trying since last December. I am 31 and he is 35.

I am getting a regular physical on Wednesday and I go to my OB/GYN for an exam and to discuss starting fertility testing on Dec. 26th.

My doctor told me we could start testing at the 1 year mark.

How long have you been trying?

Re: Infertility

I would say after a year with trying with no success. The fertility tests really helps pinpoint any issues you or DH might have.

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I was trying for 5 months and I begged my Gyno to do some testing on me and my husband! That's where we found a problem and went right to the RE. We are still trying but now we have A better hold on the problem and it's not something that will keep us from concieving!! So ask your ob/gyn to do some testing both on you and a SA on DH. Then decide from there if there is not a problem with either one Of you try for a little while longer and then go to an RE. try charting, temping or get a clear blue easy fertility monitor! !they Are Great!!!!

Re: Infertility

I recently read a book by Dr. Toth(he is a renowned pathologist and ob/gyn.) that if you know when you ovulate and have been BD'ing at the right times for 5 or 6 months with no luck then there is probably a problem. This is his opinion, but if your Dr won't start testing for you you should find a new Dr or just lie as AP said.

These are hypothetical questions but do you get AF on time? Are you temping?(temping can show if you have hormonal issues) using OPK's. having s$x for about 5-7 days around your fertile time. Another thing you can do is test your DH's sperm with an at home test. I saw these at Ekcerd and I'm sure you can get them online. GL!

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I understand the questioning as to when a couple is rendered infertile. With statistics being only a small percentage of conception with each cycle, it simply cant happen every time. I am 36 and just finished my 6th month of TTC. We already have an appointment for the day after I expect AF to show because we were told 6 months too. In my heart I feel that it is a timing issue and not anything to be concerned about. But for peace of mind, I am going to get all of my questions out of the way. I would like to get this ball rolling ASAP. I am simply not settled in having children in my 40s. I would rather not. I have my reasons.

Re: Infertility

i have a pregnancy book that has an interesting chart in it. it breaks things up into age groups:

early 20s: 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month, takes average 4-5 months to conceive, 93-97% will be pregnant in one year.

late 20s: 15-20% chance in any given month, 5-6.7 months to conceive, 86-93% will be pregnant in one year.

early 30s: 10-15% chance in any given month, 6.7-10 months to conceive, 72-86% will be pregnant in one year

late 30s: 8.3-10% chance of conceiving in any given cycle, average 10-12 months to conceive, 65-72% pregnant in one year.

mind you, i don't know exactly where this data is coming from, but i thought it was interesting. i don't know if there's any hard and fast rule about when a couple is considered "infertile". i've heard that most ob-gyns consider you infertile if you haven't conceived in one year with well-timed intercourse, etc.

i agree with the others - if you're not comfortable waiting a year, just lie and tell them you've been trying longer - especially if you've got an inkling that something might be off.

hope this helps!

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i've heard if you've been actively ttc for 6 months and you are 35+, you should just get help - why wait

Re: Infertility

VERY TRUE! THE SOONER THE BETTER!

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Re: Infertility

DH and I only had one month of actively trying. Came of BC end of August, had first natural AF in October. I know when I ovulated and we BD'd at that time. It's now been 61 days since AF has come (and I'm not PG) Given my age, I decided to go to make an appointment ASAP with my Dr. I'm glad I did because I was told that we are potentially facing a challenging time with TTC. I would say though that on the average, if you are trying for 6+ months and know your body well, then there's no reason to wait it out. I say make that appointment and get checked out.

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I think it can take about 1 year after stopping BCP especially if you took it for years. Yet, some people get PG right away after stopping being on the pill. I have several friends who got PG at the 1 year mark or so.

Another alternative to drugs for treatment for infertibily is acupuncture.

Re: Infertility

Hey Jenn, for me I was 34 TTC and the dr. gave us a year and if nothing he was going to start me on clomid. At 11 months he had me go through an HSG( to see if my tubes were blocked) and DH had to have a SA( sperm analysis) we were both fine and wallah that 11th month I got pg. by that time I was 35. He did say if I started TTC at 35 they would have waited 6 months and then start the process to eliminate to see if infertility was an issue.
Good luck and I cant wait to hear your big news!!!

Re: Infertility

I have several friends who tried for 9 months before conception. One is about 34, one is 32 and the other is 37 (has on child already). Two used an ovulation predictor kit several months into trying and both were pregnant within 2 months of using the kit. One friend got pregnant right after scheduling an appt. to have sperm count check and have her tubes "blown".

The other has not used an OPK but now plans to buy one. They all have told me that 1 year of trying with no results (using OPK and under 35 years old) could signal a problem.