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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is infertility?
A: Infertility is described as the “failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.”[1] This includes both primary infertility (the inability to conceive a child) and secondary infertility (the inability to conceive after a previous live birth.) For women aged 35 or older, this time is reduced to 6 months or more. Around 1 in 8 women (12%) of women aged 15-44 years old suffer from infertility.[2]

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Q: What are the signs of infertility?
A: Unfortunately, there are not many symptoms that can indicate a problem. The amount of time without conceiving a child is the biggest indicator. For women, a lack of menstruation or positive ovulation strip (OPK) may be another sign.

Q: How am I diagnosed with infertility?
A: A reproductive endocrinologist (RE) will perform testing on both partners (or a single female) in order to achieve a diagnosis. Based on the results, a diagnosis of infertility will be given. For more information on the tests a RE does, please visit the “RE Testing” page in the menu above.

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Q: What types of drugs and medicines are used to treat infertility?
A: There are several. These include:

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  • Ovulation inducing drugs, such as Clomid or Femara.

  • Metformin, a medicine for women with PCOS that can lower male hormones and help ovulation.

  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), such as Gonal-F or Follistim, to help induce ovulation.

  • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog, which are used for women who don’t ovulate each month to begin ovulation again.

Q: What questions should I ask my doctor?
A: Your first appointment with the RE may be scary or overwhelming. Here are a few questions to consider asking:  

              

  • What types of tests will I do?

  • Who will perform them?

  • What services are offered? (IUI, IVF, Donor)

  • What is your clinic’s success rate?

  • What is the cost of treatment?

  • Are outside resources (such as therapists or counselors) available through the office?

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Q: How can I find a RE?
A: REs are available all over the country. You can find one with a referral from your OB/GYN, through a Google search, or through RESOLVE’s Professional Service Directory at www.sart.org.

[1] Kho, Min. 2016. “Endometrial Scratch & IVF Success.” Melbourne IVF. 2016. https://blog.ivf.com.au/endometrial-scratching-ivf-success.

[2] Gibreel, Ahmed, Ahmed Badawy, Waleed El-Refai, and Noha El-Adawi. 2013. “Endometrial Scratching to Improve Pregnancy Rate in Couples with Unexplained Subfertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research 39 (3). Wiley/Blackwell (10.1111): 680–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-0756.2012.02016.x.

[3] Gibreel, Ahmed, Noha El-Adawi, Eman Elgindy, Hesham Al-Inany, Nasser Allakany, and Herman Tournaye. 2015. “Endometrial Scratching for Women with Previous IVF Failure Undergoing IVF Treatment.” Gynecological Endocrinology 31 (4). Informa Healthcare: 313–16. https://doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2014.994603.

[4] European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. 2016. “Endometrial Scratch Appears Beneficial in Couples Trying to Conceive.” ScienceDaily. 2016. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160704082720.htm.

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