Dr. Albert Peters Fertility Doctor in New Jersey and Lehigh Valley
The following are some of the most common questions that I hear from patients that I consult with. I have given simple responses to each one, but clearly, the answer for any individual patient will be much more complex. This is why we stress an individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment for our infertility patients. I urge you to use these as basic guidelines only, and consult with a Reproductive Endocrinologist for an individual diagnosis and treatment plan.
– Dr. Albert Peters
1. Does my age affect my fertility?
Age does affect fertility, more so in women than in men. Women are born with all of the eggs they will ever have. Men make sperm on an ongoing basis. Because of this, eggs wear out as age increases. We see this with increases in infertility and miscarriage as well as aneuploidy (abnormalities in chromosome numbers) in the offspring of older women. While we cannot change the genetic make up of the eggs, we can screen for genetically normal vs. abnormal eggs and embryos, thus increasing the chances for a successful pregnancy.
2. I have had 3 normal pregnancies, why am I now having trouble with miscarriages or trouble getting pregnant?
Having had previous pregnancies or children is a good sign, however it does not necessarily translate into continued fertility. Aging generally plays the biggest role in not getting pregnant. The aging process decreases the quality of the eggs. This can be seen in decreasing fertility as well as increasing rates of miscarriages. In Vitro Fertilization can help by providing more aggressive stimulation to the ovaries in order to generate more eggs, of which some might have better quality than others.
Another area of concern could be the immune system. There are cases where the immune system tries to reject the pregnancy. This can be detected through blood work. Treatments are available to help this problem.
3. Can stress contribute to my infertility problems?
Stress is a difficult thing to measure, let alone control.
We all have stressors in our lives. I do believe that stress plays a role in reproductive failure. Think about it: Stress has been shown to cause heart attacks! Why can’t it affect the reproductive system?
It is important to try to reduce stress during treatment. This begins with feeling comfortable with your fertility clinic, doctor and staff. You should have time to ask questions and thoroughly understand your condition and treatment options before you move forward. There are also stress coping options such as counseling, massage therapy, yoga and acupuncture which I wrote about in a previous blog, and other things which can help.
4. When is most fertile time and how often should we have intercourse in order to get pregnant?
The most fertile time is just after ovulation. In a typical regular menstrual cycle of about 28 days, ovulation generally occurs around day 14 (counting from the first day of the period). The best way to know when ovulation is going to occur is to use a home ovulation predictor kit which measures LH hormone in the urine. Once the kit turns positive, the next day and the day after are the best times to have intercourse. If the egg is not fertilized in this time, then pregnancy will not occur.
Remember, these kits are prospective, meaning they will tell you when ovulation is going to occur. There is no need to have intercourse for prolonged periods of time. If the kit is not showing a positive result, this could mean that you have an ovulation disorder. If this occurs, you should consult a fertility specialist.
5. When is it time to see a fertility specialist?
Typically, if a couple has not conceived after 12 months of unprotected targeted intercourse, it is time to see a specialist. However, if a known cause of infertility exists such as advanced maternal age, menstrual abnormalities, problems with sperm production or erectile dysfunction, previous tubal ligation, endometriosis or repetitive miscarriages, you should consult a specialist sooner. If in doubt, contact our clinic and we can tell you if a consultation is recommended.
6. Can we select to have a boy or a girl?
This is called “gender selection” or “family balancing”. Yes, we can do this. For example, some couples have 3 boys or 3 girls and wish to complete their families by having a child of the opposite gender. This is done through in vitro fertilization and genetic testing of the embryos.
Credits: Sher Institute..
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