5 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Gynaecologist for Fertility Treatment

There are multiple situations of health when you would want an expert opinion. More so, when it’s about pregnancy. In any case, a regular gynaec visit is advisable for better health whether before or after pregnancy. However, there are a few situations when you would want to see a gynaec for fertility treatment:

• You have been trying for years to conceive without success
• The couple is above the age of 40 when trying to conceive
• The couple is under the age of 35 and not using birth control but unable to conceive

Though you clearly need to visit the nearest fertility specialist in these situations, you should check for a few things beforehand. Following are the five things you should know before your visit to make the most out of it:

1. Ovulating?

One of the most important things that you need to check is if you are ovulating. Because if you visit any gynaecologist the first thing she will check is if you are ovulating or not (releasing an egg every month).

Knowing if you are ovulation or not is important. At times couples visit gynaecologist within the 6 months of trying to conceive a baby. However, ideally, you should wait at least around a year with regular intercourse to know if you really have a fertility problem. Ovulation can be observed by charting your basal body temperature (BBT) for several months.

Knowing your ovulation status can save you from IVF treatment. If you are ovulating normally then you only need more time to achieve pregnancy. But remember ovulation is not the only deciding factor for fertility treatment.

2. Fertility Testing

The specialist gynaecologist will usually try to assess your family history about the problem. For example, if your parents faced similar problems in their pregnancy. This helps them rule out or consider any biological angle to the issue. It is important that you are aware of this before visiting the gynaecologist.

Once the history is clear, you will need to undergo blood and physical tests for fertility examination. Both man and woman are required to undergo these tests. Semen analysis for men and uterus check-up for the ovarian cysts and fibroids for the women are an essential part of this examination.

3. Fertility Treatment

Medical examinations for fertility do not always find a particular reason for failures. This situation is called unexplained infertility, though, the treatment is still possible. Doctors can create a treatment plan to increase your chances of conceiving.

4. Fertility Treatment Cost

The cost of IVF treatment varies a lot in India and abroad. If you are planning an IVF treatment in other countries, you should research the cost before selecting the country. IVF treatment can be a bit expensive treatment in other countries, plus you will incur travelling expenses as well.

IVF treatment in India can cost anywhere between Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 2,50,000. Whereas, this cost can go beyond $15,000 per cycle of treatment in the developed countries.

5. Beyond Fertility Treatment

If your doctor suggests you some fertility medication, remember to ask about the side effects. You can also research on this topic. Usually, with medication, your fertility doctor should guide you with pros and cons.

Once you have decided to undergo IVF treatment, it is necessary for you to know about the fertility treatment failures. Fertility treatment does not guarantee a pregnancy.

About the Author: Dr Vaishali Sharma is a gynaecologist with more than 14 years of experience in the field of infertility treatment. She has received two National Economic Times Health Awards for the best gynaecologist in 2019. Dr Vaishali is also a member of Gynecologist Associate like (RCOG), (ISFP), and (FOGSI).