Infertility Center
Identifying The Problems Of Infertility
Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one
year of properly timed intercourse. Some researchers predict
that infertility affects as many as 1 in 10 couples of reproductive
age. In fact, the reasons for infertility vary, and once a
couple has been trying for more than 12 months (or 6 months
if the female is older than 35), then you might need to visit
an infertility center for help.
Basic screening procedures to decide whether or not female
hormones are at normal levels and whether a woman is ovulating
can be conducted at by the couple’s regular obstetrician
or gynecologists. Some more advanced procedures can be conducted
at infertility centers by reproductive endocrinologists or
fertility specialists. Infertility centers often offer a range
of advanced diagnostic procedures that vary from minimally
invasive procedures like blood tests, ultra sounds, and dye
injection tests to more extensive tests that can involve outpatient
surgery.
What Can You Expect From The Infertility Center
Other than the testing procedures, infertility centers also
offer a range of procedures to help couples achieve and maintain
pregnancy. Usually, the treatments also range from less invasive
(such as artificial insemination, where sperm is simply injected
into the appropriate place in the uterus) to very invasive
procedures like in vitro fertilization, in which eggs are
harvested, fertilized with sperm outside of the body and later
implanted directly into the uterus.
When you first visit the infertility center, you will have
to provide a lengthy medical history, focusing on reproductive
issues, past history of sexually transmitted disease and some
family history to determine if your infertility might be genetic.
Bringing the results of any tests that have already been conducted
and any temperature charts or other cycle documentation you
may have will also be extremely helpful for your attempt to
conceive. Providing all information will help professionals
at the infertility center provide the most expert advice they
can.
How To Pick An Infertility Center
First of all, you and your partner need to feel comfortable
at whatever infertility center you receive treatment simply
because you are going to spend plenty of time, energy, and
money working with the professionals at the infertility center.
During your initial visit to the infertility center, make
sure you find out as much information as you can. You need
to request some specific questions which include the success
rate of various procedures, especially focusing on the number
of live births per procedure, the infertility center’s
policy on financing treatments and the types of insurance
accepted, and how many patients are typically being treated
at any given period of time.
If it is not enough, you can also find out more information
about infertility centers on the website for the Center for
Disease Control. From the website, you can see the statistics
regarding the number and type of procedures conducted, as
well as their success rates are available for nearly all infertility
centers in the country.
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