Trying to have a baby isn’t always simple. If you’ve been hoping to grow your family but things aren’t moving as expected, you’re far from alone. Many women in Memphis and Germantown face similar challenges, and it’s okay to seek help and ask questions along the way. Women’s Health Specialists provides care to give you insight into your reproductive health, and can help you know when it’s time to seek help from a local fertility specialist.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility typically means not being able to get pregnant after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex (or after 6 months if you’re 35 or older). It affects about 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. and can have many causes, ranging from hormone imbalances and ovulation problems to age and medical history.
Signs It May Be Time to Ask for Help
Every woman’s body is different, but some signs may suggest it’s time to mention fertility to a provider:
- You’ve been trying to conceive for a year (or six months if you’re 35 or older)
- Your periods are irregular, infrequent, or have stopped
- You’ve had more than one miscarriage
- You’ve been diagnosed with a condition like PCOS, endometriosis, or a thyroid issue
- Your periods are unusually heavy or painful
- You’ve had pelvic surgery or a history of infections
- You or your partner is concerned about sperm health
If anything on this list applies to you, it might be helpful to schedule a consultation with us at Women’s Health Specialists.
What Is A Fertility Specialist?
A fertility specialist is a medical provider with advanced training in reproductive health. They work with patients to better understand why conception might be taking longer than expected. This includes:
- A review of your health history and daily habits
- Blood tests to check hormone levels
- Ultrasounds to look at the uterus and ovaries
- Tracking ovulation patterns
- Semen analysis for your partner, if applicable
Fertility specialists can offer medical treatments, coordinate procedures like IUI (intrauterine insemination), or refer you to other professionals, like a reproductive endocrinologist, for more advanced care. More than anything, they provide bespoke guidance and clarity during what can be a confusing and emotional time.
A Closer Look at Treatment Options
- Lifestyle changes: Your providers may recommend manageable shifts, such as improving your diet, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol or caffeine intake, and managing high stress levels. These changes can create a more supportive environment for conception.
- Medication: Fertility medications can help stimulate ovulation or support hormonal balance in some women. These are often used when ovulation is irregular or absent, and your provider will help monitor how your body responds.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI): This procedure involves placing sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation to improve the likelihood of fertilization. It’s a common, less invasive option for couples facing mild to moderate fertility issues.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF is one of the most advanced fertility treatments available. It involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving those eggs, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, and transferring one or more healthy embryos into the uterus. IVF may be recommended for women with blocked fallopian tubes, advanced age, unexplained infertility, or after other treatments haven’t worked.
- Surgical care: For some women, surgery can help address issues like fibroids, endometriosis, or blocked fallopian tubes. These procedures can improve reproductive health and make it easier to conceive naturally or with assisted methods.
Supporting Your Emotional Health
It is an objective fact that infertility is often not an easy experience. There are now more resources than ever to help you address the mental and emotional challenges they bring, in addition to the physical ones.
- Talk with a therapist or counselor, especially one who understands fertility care
- Join support groups (in person in the Memphis area or remotely online)
- Take breaks from social media or avoid triggers as needed
- Take ample rest, consider a temporary leave from work if that is an option
- Be open with a friend, family member, and/or your partner
- Give yourself space to feel however you need to feel
When it comes to infertility, you have full permission to grieve, or feel hopeful, or angry—there’s no single answer or resolution, but resisting the urge to remain isolated is often a huge step forward.
Raising Hope and Awareness
If you’re struggling with this issue, our team doesn’t want you to suffer in silence. There are answers out there, even if they don’t appear right away, or don’t exactly align with your original plans. Please feel free to reach out to us to connect with a Germantown provider who will help you find answers alongside you.