The Link Between Heavy Periods and Fibroids
Heavy periods and fibroids often go together. Learn more about the link between the two conditions.
Traditionally, infertility has been defined as one year of unprotected intercourse without conception; this affects 10-15 percent of couples during their reproductive years. In normal couples without infertility issues, there is only a 30% chance of becoming pregnant with each ovulatory cycle. By one year, 85% of couples will attain pregnancy.
When should a couple seek medical intervention? If a woman is in her mid-30s or younger, has regular menstrual cycles, and her partner is healthy – I would usually allow one year before testing extensively. Reasonable early evaluations would be a semen analysis (35% of infertility involves a malefactor) and confirmation of ovulation (release of an egg) with each cycle. The latter can be done with over-the-counter urine tests, or by following a woman’s body temperature throughout the cycle (called basal body temperature [BBT] charting). Medications can be used to help a woman ovulate regularly, and depending on the malefactor – artificial insemination or other technologies can be used.
We know that female fertility decreases over time; in general, the older a woman is beyond age 35, the earlier I would rule out causes of infertility. This would include a semen analysis and BBT charting as well as a pelvic ultrasound. In some cases, we might consider a test to confirm that the fallopian tubes are open (called a hysterosalpingogram or HSG), and possibly laparoscopy (camera in the abdomen) to visually assess the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Some primary care providers and nearly all OB/GYNs can provide more information about infertility and interventions that are appropriate for a couple’s particular circumstances. There are also infertility specialists (reproductive endocrinologists) that can help with more complicated situations or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
