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Published by Vanessa Green
Posted on
July 06 2023
Read Time
6 mins
Published byVanessa Green
Posted on
July 06 2023
Read Time
6 mins
Fertility has long been considered a ‘women’s issue.’ But despite all the female-focused infertility information and resources that are available, women still face enormous challenges when it comes to managing their reproductive health.
Approximately 11% of American women struggle with infertility. Many only discover this later in life, making it much more challenging to treat. Part of the reason for this delay in diagnosis is a significant lack of education and awareness about female infertility for women until they’re well into their childbearing years.
We’ve looked at how women can take a proactive approach to their fertility and become better advocates for their reproductive health.
Diagnosing fertility problems early
Like any health concern, a proactive approach to your reproductive health is the best defence. The average age of women getting pregnant for the first time in the US is 30. By age 40, the chance of a woman getting pregnant naturally each month is just 5%.
Even if a woman isn’t ready to start a family, pre-pregnancy fertility testing can be done early on if she knows she’ll want to have children down the road. These tests help provide a baseline for her overall fertility and also help identify any potential or existing fertility issues she may have.
It’s essential for women to get regular gynecological exams and talk to their OB or healthcare provider early on about fertility testing. There are also certain symptoms to watch out for that may indicate potential fertility issues, such as heavy bleeding and significant pain during menstruation. These could be signs of endometriosis, fibroids, blocked tubes or other fertility issues. The earlier you’re diagnosed, the easier it is to get treatment.
[Read our blog post: The Truth About Undiagnosed Pain in Women and Infertility]
There are a number of tests available to women that can help reveal possible fertility issues, including:
- Ovulation blood test: A progesterone test that can help show whether low progesterone levels are causing female infertility
- Ovarian reserve testing:
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH): A measurement of antral follicles (also known as resting follicles) in the ovaries
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – A hormone test that evaluates the amount of FSH in your blood and assesses the health of your ovaries or pituitary function
- Antral Follicle Count (AFC) tests – a non-invasive test used to assess the number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries
- Prolactin testing: A prolactin test measures the amount of the prolactin hormone in your blood. High prolactin levels inhibit the secretion of FSH, the hormone that triggers ovulation, and can also cause Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Estradiol testing: An estrogen test that determines the amount of estradiol in your blood and can indicate if you’re preparing to enter menopause or are already transitioning
- Saline Sonogram (SIS): A transvaginal ultrasound that detects uterine abnormalities such as endometrial polyps, fibroids, or uterine scars
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An X-ray that looks at the uterus and fallopian tubes
- Hysteroscopy: A procedure that allows a surgeon to look inside your uterus to diagnose and treat the causes of abnormal bleeding
- Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure to examine pelvic anatomy for causes of female infertility in the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries and can also be used to remove scar tissue or endometriosis
If your results show signs of potential fertility issues, your healthcare provider may recommend freezing your eggs when you’re young. This method is becoming a popular way for women to help improve their chances of getting pregnant at an older age.
[Read our blog post: Your Complete Guide to Decoding Fertility Acronyms and Terminology]
Understanding how lifestyle issues affect fertility
There are a number of factors that can affect a woman’s fertility, and many of those concern her lifestyle habits. Ten years ago, the medical community didn’t know these habits played such a significant role in reproductive health, but we now know they have a considerable impact on women’s chances of conceiving. They include:
- Weight
- Alcohol consumption
- Drug use – both recreational and performance-enhancing
- Smoking
- Environmental pollutants
- High-stress levels
- Caffeine consumption
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
There are also positive lifestyle changes women can make to help improve their chances of conception before they try IVF, including acupuncture, therapy and yoga.
Making healthy lifestyle choices won’t guarantee you’ll get pregnant, but it does help greatly influence your overall health and well-being, including fertility.
Being aware of the timelines for testing and treatment
Fertility treatment requires a lot of time, money and coordination and many women aren’t aware of the time it can take from the beginning of their first fertility consultation to starting fertility treatment. If women start this process later, especially after trying to conceive naturally for six months to a year or longer, it puts them in a race against the clock to try and get pregnant.
Blood tests, diagnostics imaging tests and ultrasounds must be done on certain days of your cycle, which means this testing can take months. If treatment or medical procedures are required, that can also take considerable time, including recovery. If you need donor eggs or a gestational carrier, arranging that can be complex and time intensive. And your partner may have their own issues, including sperm quality, so if a sperm donor is needed, that will also take time to arrange.
And if you don’t have adequate insurance coverage and need a loan, that can also take time.
That’s why it’s crucial to speak with a Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) as soon as possible. If you’re over 35 and have been trying to conceive for over six months, you and your partner should get tested to help move the process along.
Focusing on fertility education and advocacy
Most women don’t really think about their fertility health until they’re trying to get pregnant. But we know that having access to fertility information early on is the best way to take control of your reproductive health. One way to do this is to start teaching fertility awareness in schools alongside sex education. As well as teaching young women about safe sex, we should also teach them about their fertility and potential roadblocks they might encounter, especially given that infertility rates for both men and women are rising at an alarming rate.
The more awareness and education women have about their own health and fertility health in general, the more equipped they are to advocate for themselves and get the help they need when they need it.
Unlocking the benefits of Hera Discovery
If you’re looking to take control of your reproductive health, we can help. The Hera Discovery Program offers a comprehensive review of your fertility health. Whether you’re looking to start a family, preserve your fertility, or simply learn more about your fertility status, our team of fertility experts can help you get the answers you need.
The program includes a personalized intake appointment, medical history review, baseline fertility testing and, if necessary, fertility treatment options. Get in touch with our team to learn more, or get started with Hera Discovery today.
