By Dr. Garavelas Athanasios, gynecologist-obstetric surgeon, specialist in in vitro fertilization. The specialist explains what are the indications that it is difficult to achieve pregnancy normally and we lead to in vitro fertilization.
With the term infertility, we describe the non-achievement of pregnancy after 1 year (12 months) of frequent free sexual intercourse. Planning for pregnancy can be difficult. If you are ready to become a parent but are having problems getting pregnant, it may be time to seek the advice of a fertility specialist. Infertility is not just a female issue. Men can also have infertility problems.
Reasons to Seek Fertility Help Sooner
You don’t necessarily need to wait six months to a year before asking for help conceiving. In some cases, you should actually ask for help much sooner.
Talk to a fertility specialist about having a fertility evaluation as soon as possible if:
- You have a family history of early menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency (also known as premature ovarian failure)
- You have a family history of BRCA+ breast cancer or another reproductive cancer
- You have a genetic condition that is known to affect fertility
- You have irregular periods, endometriosis, or PCOS
- You have two miscarriages in a row
- You or your partner has a history of sexually transmitted infections
- You or your partner have any risk factors or symptoms of infertility
If a couple has an obvious medical problem that affects their ability to conceive, such as missed periods, sexual dysfunction, a history of pelvic disease, or previous surgery, they should begin infertility assessment immediately. It should be noted here that in cases of women over the age of 36 and because the chances of a normal conception are reduced, the investigation of the causes of infertility should begin earlier than 12 months. In these cases it is recommended to start seeking medical advice in 6-8 months of unsuccessful attempts. Early detection of possible causes of difficulty conceiving will help you calmly choose the right treatment and have a higher chance of a successful pregnancy.
In addition, an important parameter that can lead the couple to choose IVF is the age of the woman. For ages 35 and up if the couple can not conceive normally, IVF is usually recommended so as not to waste valuable time with other methods (inseminations or scheduled intercourse).
What happens after 40
It is known that after forty female fertility follows a declining trend. This is because the ovaries produce poorer quality eggs, in smaller numbers and with an increased percentage of chromosomal abnormalities.
Today, genetics and new assisted reproduction technologies provide significant opportunities for older women who wish to have a child with early diagnosis of age-related genetic abnormalities before embryo transfer as well as increased rates of successful pregnancies without chromosomal abnormalities. .