Fertility: Get Assessed

Did you know?

• Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Estimates suggest that approximately one in every six people of reproductive age worldwide experience infertility in their lifetime.
• In the male reproductive system, infertility is most commonly caused by problems in the ejection of semen (1), absence or low levels of sperm, or abnormal shape (morphology) and movement (motility) of the sperm.
• In the female reproductive system, infertility may be caused by a range of abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the endocrine system, among others.
• Infertility can be primary or secondary. Primary infertility is when a pregnancy has never been achieved by a person, and secondary infertility is when at least one prior pregnancy has been achieved.
• Fertility care encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Equal and equitable access to fertility care remains a challenge in most countries; particularly in low and middle-income countries.

What is a fertility assessment?

Infertility is defined as an inability to get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive. Tia currently offers three distinct fertility visit types depending on where a patient is on the fertility journey:

• Fertility assessment
• Fertility: trying to conceive
• Fertility follow up

These visits are generally consultation based visits to review medical, gynecological, family and pregnancy history, answer questions, discuss fertility concerns and goals. You will discuss recommendations to optimize fertility, a provider may recommend labs or imaging and possibly refer to reproductive endocrinology (fertility specialists).

When to book a fertility assessment appointment

People who may want to consider a fertility assessment:

• Those who are 35 years old or younger and who have been having sex without contraception for 12 months and not become pregnant
• Those who are 35 years old or older and who have been having sex without contraception for 6 months without becoming pregnant
• People with a history of 3 or more miscarriages in the past
• People with a history of irregular periods or diagnosis of PCOS
• Thos with a chronic medical diagnosis like diabetes, hypertension, genetic disorders, thyroid disorder
• Those considering egg freezing
• Those considering solo pregnancy via insemination
• LGBTQ patients interested in pregnancy

What do expect during your appointment

At a fertility appointment, you will meet your provider either in person or through a telehealth visit. During the appointment, your medical history and that of your partner's will be reviewed, including medical history, pregnancy history, family history, sexual health history, any previous fertility testing or treatments, and their outcomes. Most fertility visits do not include a physical exam.

Potential outcomes of a fertility assessment

Once you and your provider have finished addressing your medical history and unique needs, there are several outcomes and treatment plans that could be recommended:

• Recommendations for fertility optimization including weight management, changes in diet, exercies, stress management, and fertility supplements
• Treatment of underlying medical factors such as PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, and endometriosis, which can affect fertility
• Lab tests and ultrasounds depending on the percieved diagnosis
• Orders for semen analysis of your partner
• Genetic carrier screening depending on your family medical history
• Referral to reproductive endocrinology (fertility specialist)