Before You See a Fertility Specialist

If you’ve exhausted all the possibilities to resolve apparent infertility, including improving diet and weight, enhancing nutrition and eliminating toxins such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs, and addressed any other medical conditions you may be experiencing, it may be time to consider arranging a consultation with a fertility specialist.

Doctors who specialize in fertility disorders are most often endocrinologists and can help you identify what factors may be impairing or preventing you from getting pregnant. Because, as they say, it takes two, it’s likely your doctor will want to do a workup on both you and your partner to identify all possible factors affecting you both.

As with most things, an appointment with a fertility specialist will be more effective if you spend a few months beforehand preparing, in order to give the doctor the most valuable information you can. Here are a few tips to prepare for your first visit:

1. Get yourself a small notepad and pen and start jotting down questions for the specialist. Take this with you everywhere so you can jot them down as they occur to you. Keep a pad and pen on your bedside table, too.
2. List all supplements, vitamins, prescription and non-prescription drugs you have taken during these preparation months. Note the dosage amounts and how frequently you take them. Write everything down, even if you feel it’s not significant.
3. Note the dates of your menstruation cycle—when it starts and when it stops—as well as any symptoms you experience before, during and after. Also write down each date you and your partner have sex.
4. Collate all this information as clearly and efficiently as you can and bring it with you. Bring the notepad as well, because you will want to take notes. If you want to record any information the doctor gives you, ask the doctor for permission. If the doctor is reluctant to be recorded, suggest the doctor cue you as to when to turn on the recorder for the most critical information and turn it off when the doctor requests. It’s easy to think you’ll remember everything but you won’t. It’s important to take notes and ensure you understand all the recommendations and information.

Other information your doctor may request of you may include:

1. • How long have you been trying to get pregnant and how often do you have sex?
   • Information on previous pregnancies, miscarriages, etc.
   • Your age when you first menstruated, how regular your periods are, and what symptoms may accompany them.
   • Your and your partner’s histories for sexually transmitted diseases.
   • Any gynaecological conditions you have been treated for in the past.

Some points you may want to cover with your doctor are:

1. • What is your success rate? (What percentage over what period of time?)
   • What lifestyle changes or natural methods do you recommend before considering medication or medical procedures?
   • What tests do you recommend and why?
   • If drugs are recommended, what side effects may exist?
   • How many months/menstrual cycles will you give to each option before considering others?

The more time and attention you give to preparing for this important interview, the more informative the session will be. You will be more confident in moving forward to explore the options available to you to identify and overcome possible infertility. Remember—infertility is rarely incurable and is often remedied without having to resort to expensive, invasive procedures with low success rates.