As every patient is an individual, so is their care. To better guide you on your fertility journey, your initial step is fertility testing. Both partners, whether male or female, will be asked to complete preliminary testing in an effort to develop a customized treatment plan to maximize chances at success.
Infertility is defined as the inability for a woman to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse or six months if the woman is greater than 35 years of age. It may also be defined by the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. This definition is reduced to six months if a woman has irregular or painful periods, a history of a pelvic infection or tubal disease, a history of two or more miscarriages or a partner known to have a low sperm count.
The causes of infertility are divided between female and male partners. Often couples may have a combination of issues that need to be addressed. During your initial consultation, you will have a thorough history taken and evaluation done by Dr. Russell to determine the potential problems. A plan of action will be devised for you and your partner once the cause of your infertility is identified.
Typically, all tests can be completed within a single menstrual cycle, from simple hormone and follicular studies to the most advanced genetic screenings available.
Other Factors known to affect a woman’s ability to conceive include:
- Age
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Poor nutritional intake
- Strenuous athletic training
- Sexually transmitted diseases
DIRM is truly a place where dreams, through science, become reality.