What is infertility?
Infertility is when a couple unsuccessfully tries to conceive with unprotected sex for a period of six months to one year. The exact timeframe differs from couple to couple and is usually dependent on age. The cause of infertility is often health issues with the woman, man, or a combination of both.
What are the symptoms of infertility?
Infertility symptoms for women, in addition to not becoming pregnant, can include:
- Painful and/or irregular periods
- Abnormal bleeding during periods
- Lack of a menstrual cycle
Women can also experience hormonal abnormalities, which show up as changes to their skin, sex drive, hair loss, or weight gain.
Infertility symptoms with men can include:
- Changes in sexual interest or desire
- Changes in hair growth
- Low sperm count
- Sperm motility issues
- Swelling, pain or a lump in the testicles
- Problems with ejaculation or sustaining an erection
It’s important to note that none of the symptoms alone indicates that a man or woman has infertility issues, but if you’ve been trying to get pregnant and haven’t been able to, it may be time to make an appointment at Hawaii Women's Healthcare to find out what’s going on.
How does my doctor screen for infertility?
Your doctor performs a variety of tests to screen for infertility and discover the root cause or causes of the issue. Tests can include blood, urine, and sperm analyses as well as imagining tests. This type of testing primarily seeks to discover issues with the reproductive organs and the process of fertilizing the egg.
In coordination with these tests, doctors do a thorough medical history with the couple to get a handle on the environmental factors that may be playing a role. These factors include:
- History of chronic diseases, such as diabetes or thyroid disease
- Over-the-counter or prescription medications and vitamins that you take
- History of chemotherapy or radiation treatments
- Medical issues, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Personal habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or drug use
The doctors at Hawaii Women's Healthcare use this information as well as the results of their medical tests to gain a greater understanding of each couple’s specific infertility problems so before creating a treatment plan.
If you have had issues getting pregnant, contact Hawaii Women's Healthcare. We provide infertility counseling, screening, evaluation, and management services.
Book online or call today.
