The Possibility of Infertility

Some couples have trouble getting pregnant. Dealing with the possibility of infertility can be emotionally difficult. If you are under 30 and have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, you and your partner may want to visit a gynecologist for preliminary fertility testing. Since early diagnosis and treatment can be important, the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada suggests that couples in some situations get tested sooner. Women who have had repeated miscarriages should visit a gynecologist after six months of trying, as should couples where the following circumstances apply:

• the woman who is trying to conceive is over 30 years of age

• the woman who is trying to conceive has irregular or absent periods

• the woman who is trying to conceive previously used an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control

• either partner has a history of a sexually transmitted infection

• either partner has a history of prostate, pelvic or genital infections

• either partner has had abdominal surgery

• either partner has had a surgical sterilization reversed

• the woman trying to conceive has endometriosis (women with this condition often experience painful menstruation)

• the woman trying to conceive has breast discharge

• the woman trying to conceive has excessive acne or hair on the body (hirsutism)

Certain pelvic health conditions can cause infertility, including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease and fibroids. Visit our Pelvic Health Centre for more about all of these conditions.

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