When to Seek Help from a Fertility Specialist

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive without success, it’s understandable that you would start to wonder what to do next. You might be wondering if you should wait a little longer before seeing a fertility specialist or just go now to avoid wasting time.

In this article, we will explore various aspects of fertility, including what to consider before consulting a specialist, their role, and the treatments available. This will give you a better understanding of fertility and the various treatment options available to support you on your fertility journey.

Why is it recommended that you seek help from a specialist?

Every couple's journey to conception is unique because there are multiple factors that can affect fertility. This is why it is vital to seek help from fertility specialists if you suspect that you may have fertility issues due to difficulties conceiving.

A fertility specialist is a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing and treating fertility issues to help couples who have been struggling to conceive. Fertility specialists also diagnose conditions that may affect both male and female fertility and provide treatments for such issues.

When should I see a fertility specialist?

If you’re under 35 years old, it’s recommended that you try to conceive naturally for a year before coming to a fertility specialist. If you’re over 35, you should try for six months.  You should also time intercourse a few days before or at ovulation, as sperm can survive for up to five days in the womb.

However, if you have been doing this regularly with no success, recognising the signs indicating that it is time to consult a fertility specialist about your fertility issues can help you to better understand your fertility health.

• Age:

  • Fertility starts to decline more significantly from the age of 35, so it is advisable to seek an early evaluation from a fertility specialist if you are aged between 35 and 39.

  • For women over 35, you should seek help after six months of trying to conceive. However, if you are under 35, you should consider consulting a fertility specialist after a year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive.

• Period issues:

  • Irregular menstrual cycles can suggest the presence of ovulatory disorders, making it difficult to predict ovulation, and also suggest other underlying health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

  • Heavy periods could also be a symptom of underlying health conditions such as endometriosis, which affect fertility.

  • Amenorrhoea, or the absence of menstruation, could indicate possible hormone imbalances, PCOS, and thyroid disorders that affect fertility.

• Fibroids and cysts:

  • Physical issues such as fibroids and cysts can also affect your fertility.

  • If you experience symptoms such as pelvic pain, abdominal pain, pain during sex, or bloating, consider meeting a specialist to get an immediate assessment.

• History of reproductive issues:

  • Previous miscarriages may indicate some underlying issues, which could be genetic, hormonal, anatomical, or related to the immune system.

  • A history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pelvic inflammatory disease, or endometriosis may also negatively impact fertility.

• History of cancer:

  • A history of gynaecologic cancers (cancers that start in a woman's reproductive organs, such as cervical cancer or ovarian cancer) can also significantly affect your fertility.

  • The treatments for these conditions, which include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, can potentially damage reproductive organs or lead to premature menopause.

  • If possible, you may need to discuss your fertility concerns with your oncology team before starting treatment to explore fertility-preserving options such as egg freezing.

• Male fertility concerns:

  • Male fertility issues such as low sperm count, sperm motility issues, or erectile dysfunction can make conception more difficult. This is due to the sperm's reduced ability to swim to the fallopian tube and fertilise the egg.

• Genetic disorders:

  • Women could also experience issues with fertility due to genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome or Kallmann syndrome and may experience changes in their DNA that affect one or more genes that could have been inherited from their parents.

  • Men could also experience genetic disorders that can impact and reduce male fertility, such as Klinefelter syndrome, Y-chromosome microdeletions, changes in the CFTR gene, and Kallmann syndrome.

Fertility treatment in Thomson Medical

If you have any concerns or would like to learn more about your reproductive health and your partner's, consult a fertility specialist that specialises in reproductive endocrinology and infertility conditions. At Thomson Fertility Centre, our specialists can assess your fertility health and identify issues that may affect your chances of conceiving.

Following your initial consultation with a fertility specialist, you will undergo a fertility assessment and diagnosis, which includes the following:

• Evaluation of ovulation, ovarian reserve, and hormonal function

• Diagnostic testing for underlying conditions affecting fertility

• Blood tests for women that test over 14 different components, including full blood count and hormone levels

• Pelvic ultrasound scans for women to examine and identify any potential abnormalities within their reproductive system.

• Semen analysis for males to examine their sperm health in terms of sperm count, motility and morphology.

Following this, your fertility specialist will review your reproductive health test results with you and your partner, taking into account your past and current fertility status, and suggest potential fertility treatment options.

Other available fertility treatment options

If deemed necessary, after your fertility assessment and diagnosis above, your fertility specialists may also recommend other fertility treatment options if necessary, such as:

Assisted reproductive treatment (ART) 

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI):

  • IUI involves putting sperm that has been specially prepared directly into the womb around the time of ovulation. This less invasive option is suitable for unexplained infertility, mild male factor issues, or cervical factors.

• In vitro fertilisation (IVF):

  • IVF is an ART procedure usually recommended if treatment like IUI is unsuccessful or the infertility is caused by blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, or endometriosis.

  • IVF involves collecting mature eggs and fertilising them with sperm in our laboratory before transferring the resulting embryo(s) to your womb. 

Other fertility options:

• Egg freezing:

  • Egg freezing involves preserving eggs for future use. This method usually allows women to preserve their fertility by enabling them to harvest eggs at a younger age, which can then be used when they are ready to start a family later in life.

• Surgical intervention:

  • Surgical intervention is a procedure that is designed to tackle more anatomical issues, such as fibroids or blocked fallopian tubes that may be affecting your ability to conceive.

FAQ

When should you seek fertility help?

How can I check my fertility in Singapore?

In Singapore, you can consult fertility specialists at private clinics or public hospitals. Gynaecologists or even GPs can carry out some basic assessments and provide referrals. Private clinics usually offer quicker appointments and more thorough screening packages.

How do I know if I'm completely infertile?

What is the best age for female fertility?

What are the warning signs of infertility?

How do I know if I am fertile enough to get pregnant?

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. To receive personalised recommendations based on your medical conditions, request an appointment with Thomson Fertility Centre.