Infertility Testing: How to Know when it is Time to Begin Testing

When a couple is trying to conceive, it is important to know when and how to begin infertility testing and possible treatment. There are some guidelines to follow when trying to become pregnant. Most infertility doctors agree that if a couple is trying to conceive, there are ways to know when it has become necessary to begin searching for appropriate fertility testing, and treatment if necessary.

If a woman is under age 35 and it have not been using birth control for a period of 12 consecutive months or one year, a couple should consider finding a physician to begin testing for fertility problems. Both of the spouses or both members of the couple will need to be present for the consultation, since it is an issue facing both members of the relationship. Both male and female partners can have fertility problems. Male and female problems are both quite common.

If a woman is age 35 years or older, the time period is a bit different. If a woman is over age 35, the time period is changed to 6 months of unprotected sex. The reason for this is because a woman over the age of 40 years of age can experience an increase in the possibility of certain birth defects such as Down's syndrome. The time it can take for successful infertility treatment and a viable pregnancy can be a few months to a few years and most infertility specialists do not want to wait a year because of getting close to the age of 40, and increase the possibility of birth defects and decreased success rate of pregnancy in older women.

When choosing an infertility doctor, there are several ways to make a sound choice. The first is to ask around. Ask co-workers, friends and family members. There is also the AMA (American Medical Association) and in other countries their versions of the AMA. There are also a number of physician's referral services available to couples. There are also some agencies which keep records as to the doctor's success rates when it comes to helping couples to conceive a child, and successfully have a child. These success rates are not always the only thing to consider. Never use a physician which either member of the couple is not comfortable with. If there are any reservations with using a particular physician, do not use him or her. Being uncomfortable with a physician can contribute to fertility problems. Using a physician both partners are comfortable and confident in can help to make any necessary treatments successful. Stress and anxiety can contribute to fertility problems. Be sure to check with the local/state medical boards and make sure there are no complaints about the possible physicians being considered. Records as to the actual complaints can be relayed to the perspective patients, of course omitting the complaint record individual's names. Many insurance companies even carry a list of physicians who accept the couple's insurance. Even if the couple's insurance does not cover all of the infertility treatment needed, many do still offer the referral service.

Most insurance companies today do not cover infertility treatments in total. Some do, but the majority do not. In addition, some cover some services, but not others. Some cover anesthetic but not an elective surgery. (Such as in vitro fertilization.) Many cover some of the fertility medications which a couple may be put on, but not others. There may be a great amount of expense for a couple in to conceive, depending on the insurance coverage of the couple. Expense is always a great concern when it comes to fertility treatment. Testing should almost always be covered by an insurance company, but the needed treatments to conceive may or may not be. Check with your insurance carrier to determine which services and treatments are covered and which are not. In addition, the physician should always determine if a treatment is covered by insurance or if the couple will have to pay for the treatment determined by the doctor to be needed. The doctor should then inform the couple, prior to beginning the recommended treatment if there will be expenses to be paid by the couple.

A couple may wish to talk about the different possibilities of different types of treatment after consulting the infertility specialist. The couple may wish to determine in advance how much money and which treatments are acceptable to them and which may not be in conceiving a child. Some religious beliefs may determine which treatments are available to a couple, and if the couple wishes to abide by their religious doctrine. Other considerations is that some religions will support the couple in certain treatments but not others. Speaking with the religious leaders of the couples church or synagogue to determine which treatments are supported by the religion.

Infertility is not a sentence to a childless life, it is more common in society today than in years past, but there is also much more medical technology than was available in years past. There are also many other options such as artificial insemination using donor sperm, which can be a family member or close friend or even a bank, so the individual is unknown to the couple. There are also donor eggs and even surrogate mothers available to couples today. If these do not seem to be viable options, there is also adoption available to couples who cannot conceive.