Infertility

What is infertility?

Infertility means something is preventing or reducing your ability to conceive. If you've been trying to get pregnant without success, you could have a fertility problem. 

Fertility naturally declines as you get older, so age can be a factor. The issue could be due to a problem with your partner's sperm, or you might have a condition that's affecting your ability to conceive.

Dr. Schapiro experienced her own challenges with fertility and has written about them in her novel Tick Tock, which she wrote to help other couples facing fertility issues. Tick Tock outlines many of the steps you take when addressing fertility and explores the emotional toll infertility takes.

To find out why you're experiencing problems, Dr. Schapiro conducts an in-depth evaluation at your initial consultation.

What does a fertility evaluation involve?

At your fertility evaluation, Dr. Schapiro aims to find out as much as possible about you and the fertility journey you've been on so far.

Your evaluation includes a review of your medical history, which helps determine if you've had any conditions that could affect your fertility, like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), uterine fibroids, or STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes.

You also need to answer a series of questions that help identify what might be causing the problem. Information your women’s health expert at Ideal Gynecology needs includes:

• Frequency of your periods
• Length of time your periods last
• Whether you have painful periods How long you've been trying for a baby
• Whether you or your partner already has children
• Any previous pregnancies, including ectopic pregnancies

Your women’s health provider at Ideal Gynecology will ask about the steps you've been taking to conceive. For example, have you been using an ovulation predictor kit (and if so, are you currently ovulating), and have you been watching for cervical mucus?

All the practitioners at Ideal Gynecology, LLC, have expert skills in reviewing temperature charts. If you've been using a chart, you should take it along, but it's not a problem if you don't have one. 

Ovulation predictor kits are a better option, which you can get online or at your local pharmacy. If you have a phone app, bear in mind it can't tell you if you're actually ovulating – only an ovulation predictor kit can.

Sometimes infertility is down to something as simple as missing your ovulatory days because you or your partner travels for work.

What happens after my fertility evaluation?

Following your fertility evaluation, Dr. Schapiro may perform a physical exam. She also takes blood to test your hormone levels and your ovarian reserve and to see whether you have PCOS.

At your next visit to Ideal Gynecology, LLC, Dr. Schapiro performs a fluid insufflation ultrasound procedure to check for blockages in your fallopian tubes. You might need a sonohysterogram to evaluate your uterine cavity.

Using the information she gathers from your fertility evaluation and follow-up tests, Dr. Schapiro develops a plan to help you conceive.

To arrange a fertility evaluation, call Ideal Gynecology, LLC, today, or book an appointment online.