When to Visit a Fertility Clinic
If you are struggling to conceive, you are not alone. One in eight couples face fertility challenges and for these couples, medical treatment may necessary in order for conception to occur. If you are considering a visit to a local fertility clinic, ask yourself the following questions to determine whether the time is right to make an appointment.
1. Do I already know that conception on my own is impossible?
For some patients, the need for fertility treatment is obvious. For example, homosexual couples, single women and patients who have had tubal ligation or vasectomy procedures know that conception without fertility treatment is not likely. If you fall into this category and you want to conceive a child, make an appointment with one of the doctors at Northeastern Reproductive Medicine to learn about your options and next steps.
2. Have I tried to conceive naturally? 
It can take up to a year or even longer for some couples to conceive a child naturally. However, it is okay to decide to visit a clinic before a year has passed. If either person is older, for example, attempting natural conception for an entire year before seeking treatment may not be recommended.
Consider making an appointment with a fertility specialist at NRM if you have experienced any of the following:
· Females experiencing irregular cycles (or no menstrual cycles at all)
· Females with known or suspected problems of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, or abdominal cavity (like endometriosis)
· Men or couples with known or suspected sperm abnormalities
· Couples experiencing 2 or more pregnancy losses
· Any woman 35 years old or younger with regular cycles who has been trying for 1 year or more
· Any woman >35 years old with regular cycles who has been trying for 6 months or more
· Any woman >40 interested in conceiving
3. Am I interested in fertility treatments?
Fertility treatments range from oral medications to in-vitro fertilization. While some of these treatments are non-invasive, others are more advanced. If you feel that one or more of these treatments may be appropriate for you, make an appointment with a fertility specialist near you.
4. Do I need other services provided by fertility clinics?
In addition to aiding in conception, fertility clinics also provide other services. For example, if you know that you and/or your partner are at risk of passing on certain genetic abnormalities, you can use genetic screening and in-vitro fertilization to increase the chances that your child will not have these problems. Additionally, NRM offers the following services:
· Family balancing (gender selection)
· Fertility preservation (egg, sperm, or embryo freezing)
· Egg donation services (for older women, women with diminished ovarian reserve, or gay male couples)
· Sperm donation services (for couples with male factor infertility, single females, or lesbian females)
· Gestational carrier services (for woman without a uterus, women with medical contraindications to pregnancy, and single or gay men)
If you are interested in visiting a fertility clinic and learning more about the treatment options available to you, please contact Northeastern Reproductive Medicine today to make an appointment.
