The journey through infertility is never a straight line, and no two experiences are the same. However, there are ways to make your fertility journey a little bit smoother. As you navigate your fertility path, we offer these tips to help you understand what may lie ahead.

Understanding Your Condition

Infertility can cause a lot of stress, frustration, and heartache, but the more information you have, the less anxiety you’ll experience. And once you have a diagnosis, you can begin plotting the course toward growing your family.

Here are some common reasons behind infertility:

Ovulation Issues

Certain conditions may prevent ovulation, including an under- or overactive thyroid or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), in which small cysts on the ovaries can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods. Premature ovarian failure and early menopause also prevent ovulation.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus, causing pain and inflammation. Just as your endometrial tissue inside your uterus sheds through your monthly period so does the endometrial tissue outside of your uterus. This creates scar tissue and often prevents pregnancy.

Fallopian Tube Problems

Past infections (such as STIs, or sexually transmitted diseases), endometriosis or adhesions, or scar tissue in the fallopian tubes may cause a blockage that prevents the egg and sperm from coming together or prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.

A Woman’s Age

Fertility in women peaks around the age of 25 and declines with each passing year. Women over the age of 35 often have trouble conceiving. Doctors advise women over 35 who have tried unsuccessfully to conceive for six consecutive months to seek a fertility evaluation.

Male Infertility

Male factor infertility is the culprit in roughly 30 percent of infertility cases. It’s often due to a low sperm count, poor sperm motility (movement) or testicular blockage. Causes of male infertility can include hormone or immune problems, environmental and lifestyle factors and genetic diseases. You can learn more about male infertility here.

Unexplained Infertility

Unexplained infertility most likely involves issues with poor egg or sperm quality, or problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes that aren’t identifiable during normal fertility testing. The good news is that fertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IUI (intrauterine insemination) and IVF (in vitro fertilization) can help couples get pregnant.

Getting The Right Diagnosis

Sometimes infertility relates to more than one cause, and it’s very important for treatment that you get the right diagnosis.

When you schedule your fertility evaluation, expect an assessment of your overall health and health history. Your doctor will perform a gynecological exam and take blood to check your hormone levels, with any additional tests your physician might perform on you and your partner to get a clear diagnosis. Once your doctor has a diagnosis, you’ll discuss your treatment options.

Determining Treatment

Just as every infertility case is unique, so is the journey through treatment. Determining the best course for you and your partner is your doctor’s primary focus. Navigating your fertility journey may involve IVF or IUI, hormone therapy, or third-party reproduction, as in a sperm or egg donor or gestational surrogate.

Once your doctor presents your options, it’s up to you and your partner to decide the best treatment. For those embarking on the fertility journey alone, you may decide to include a support person. LGBTQ+ patients have unique needs, and we take pride in walking you through your options as well.

Starting The Journey

Between appointments, medications and various, often invasive, procedures, starting your fertility journey can be a little overwhelming. Take it one step at a time and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your doctor and care team are there for you.

It’s not unusual for you to feel a little out of control. But there are plenty of things you can do to benefit your fertility journey.

• Maintain a healthy weight. To ensure you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean protein, you might want to follow a plan like Harvard’s Fertility Diet.
• Stay active. Not only will keeping physically active aid in your fertility, it will also help relieve some of the stress and anxiety that comes with treatment. Just be sure to clear any activity with your doctor first.
• Practice self-care. This is a highly emotional and draining journey, and prioritizing your own health and wellness is essential when navigating your fertility journey. Meditate, journal, take up a hobby or simply cancel any plans that don’t interest you and curl up with a good book or a binge-worthy TV show.

Your emotional wellness is necessary for the success of your treatment. Reach out for support but be sure to confide in those who are actually supportive. Between any hormonal medications and general anxiety that accompanies the fertility journey, you’ll probably be pretty sensitive. Take care in who you let in on your journey.

Dealing With Hurdles Along Your Fertility Journey

There will be hurdles along the way: failed IVF, a poor reaction to the medication, and other physical and emotional speed bumps. The way to handle these not-so-great occurrences that arise? Reach out for professional support if you need it. Ask your doctor to recommend a counselor or therapist who specializes in infertility.

Some other ways to deal with infertility hurdles:

• Educate yourselves about the realities of the process. The more you know about what to expect, the better you’ll cope.
• Engage in calming activities such as yoga, meditation or just a walk somewhere in nature.
• Spend time with your partner that doesn’t revolve around your treatment. Plan a weekend getaway, browse a museum or gallery, spend a few hours at a farmers market or plan a “date.” These activities not only shift your focus, they strengthen your bond.

Partners in Your Journey

Infertility is a personal journey but not one you need to make alone. From diagnosis to delivery, you can trust Halo Fertility to help you with your goal of growing your family. Contact Halo Fertility today and let us help you.