Every other couple around us seems to be having babies. Why are we the only ones who seem to be having trouble?
Despite your concerns, you are not alone. Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, affects 1 in 5 couples at some point in their lives. Although often undiscussed, it is likely that some of your friends and relatives sought treatment for infertility.
We have been trying for 6 months without success. Should we see a specialist?
There are two issues here. First of all, 6 months without conception is not abnormal. It may take up to a year or longer, and the average couple takes 3 months in order to conceive. If you are over 35, either you or your partner have had a sterilization procedure, or you don't experience regular menstrual periods, it may be wise to seek out help sooner.
The second issue is who is an "infertility specialist"? A Reproductive Endocrinologist is a subspecialist who have received training (a residency) in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and advanced training (a fellowship) in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women. While it is never a bad idea to seek out a subspecialist, many gynecologists are able to do basic infertility work-up and some of the more basic treatments such as clomid. However, more advanced procedures such as surgeries, reversal of tubal ligation, injectable fertility drugs (e.g. Pergonal) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are best left to a subspecialist. Also, if you have been on clomid for extended periods of time and not monitored, it is probably best to move on. Be sure that any :"Fertility Specialist" you seek out is board certified or at least board eligible in Reproductive Endocrinology.
A friend of mine has a similar problem to mine but her doctor is recommending different treatments than what my doctor is recommending for me. Should I be concerned?
Most competent Reproductive Endocrinologists will disagree with one an other on a whole variety of treatment issues. Their experiences and training often teach them to take different approaches to the same problem. If your therapy is not working or you do have some concerns, it is never unreasonable to seek out a second opinion. However, "doctor shopping", switching from one doctor to another until you find one who tells you what you want to hear, will probably only make things worse.
After extensive infertility treatment, my pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Should I give up hope of ever having a baby?
Absolutely not. There are tow reasons. First of all, miscarriages are very common and unlikely to recur. Secondly, while emotionally devastating, a lost pregnancy does indicate that pregnancy is possible. After a brief period of rest, you will likely be able to resume treatment.
The doctor told me I need IVF in order to get pregnant, but I can't afford it now. Is it okay to wait a few years until I save up?
The answer depends on your age. If you are still under 35 when you undergo the procedure, it is probably okay. If you will be over 35, and especially if you are approaching 40, you are better off getting treatment soon. Pregnancy rates from IVF and most other treatments decline with age.
I had an abortion 10 years ago, and I am having difficulty getting pregnant now? Could that be causing my problem?
While it is true that a complicated pregnancy termination can lead occasionally to infertility, in general, there is no reason for concern. Women who had 1 or 2 abortions do not seem to have a higher incidence of infertility. It is far more likely that age or some other factor is behind your problem.
I have heard that infertility drugs can cause cancer. Is that true?
There is not a definitive answer on this question. Common types of cancer do not seem to be affected by the drugs. However, the incidence of ovarian cancer, which is far less common, may be increased. The studies that have been done have conflicting results, and are not the type that can prove cause and effect. Unfortunately, an accurate answer won't be available for many years.
