Are you trying to conceive and finding it’s taking longer than you thought? Or maybe you have a condition that could contribute to lowered fertility and are wondering how to improve your odds? Talking with your OBGYN about these issues is the best way to get a thorough understanding of your health and fertility. And remember: Male factors account for 50% of all infertility cases, so both you and your partner should talk with your doctors if you’re struggling to get pregnant.
Your body’s ability to carry a pregnancy involves several complex processes. Because of this, there are numerous different causes of infertility in women. Your OBGYN can test to see how your health and lifestyle impact your ability to conceive.
Sugar Land OBGYN Dr. Jamie Hernandez explains the complexities behind the causes of infertility in women.
Some of the most common causes of female infertility include:
If you have one of these conditions or suspect underlying health issues are impacting your fertility, talk with your doctor. They can help you understand what’s going on and how you can move forward.
There are several ways to measure fertility. Doctors usually start with two blood tests that measure a woman’s levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). AMH is released by a woman’s eggs, and these levels go down as her egg count declines. This provides an idea of how many eggs she has left compared to other women of her age. Levels of FSH go up as a woman’s egg count goes down, and it also provides an indication of her ovarian reserve.
A fertility assessment with your OBGYN will also include a comprehensive discussion about your medical history and lifestyle, including medications you’ve used, surgical history, and your work and living conditions. Your doctor will perform a pelvic and physical exam to look at areas including your thyroid, breasts, and hair growth. They may want to perform additional testing to evaluate if ovulation is occurring, ovarian function, and uterine function. Following this initial assessment, your doctor will know the right tests to recommend for your specific situation.
Today, there are several companies that offer at-home fertility testing. These typically include the AMH and FSH blood tests; the sample is collected at home, then sent into a lab to measure these hormone levels.
However, recent studies have found that the number of eggs a woman has left—what these blood tests measure—is not a definite indication of fertility. More important is the quality of eggs she has remaining, for which tests don’t yet exist. If you’re curious about your fertility, the best option is to visit your OBGYN. They are equipped to perform a comprehensive analysis of your health and fertility, while at-home tests can leave you with potentially misleading information.
Currently, there is no evidence that getting the COVID-19 vaccine impacts fertility for either women or men. In fact, if you’re trying to conceive, it’s essential to protect yourself from this virus. The CDC recommends everyone who is trying to become pregnant or may become pregnant in the future get vaccinated, as well as their partners.
Many people have become pregnant after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, including those who were involved with clinical trials for the vaccines. In a study of people undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), researchers compared women who had antibodies from a COVID-19 vaccine, those with antibodies from a recent COVID-19 infection, and those with no antibodies from either. There were no differences in pregnancy success rates among these three groups.
If you’re trying to conceive and wondering about your fertility, talk with your OBGYN. They have all the tools to help you understand your health and the best way to move forward. And with virtual visits, starting the conversation is easier than ever. Schedule an appointment today!
Physicians and health care leaders have an opportunity to increase awareness about prostate cancer risks and encourage patient-provider discussions.
Read More Additional information about How Providers Can Increase Prostate Cancer Awareness in Patients
St. Luke’s Health is leading the way in putting patient perspectives at the forefront of neurosurgery practices to ensure ideal outcomes for each person.
Read More Additional information about Strange New Worlds: Centering Patient Perspectives on Neurosurgery
September is Healthy Aging Month. St. Luke’s Health has the advice you need to thrive independently in the years to come.
Read More Additional information about Healthy Aging Month: Plan Early to Live Independently
Looking for a doctor? Perform a quick search by name or browse by specialty.
