Infertility isn’t a diagnosis in the same way that some other conditions are. It’s not necessarily something you’ll have forever, and it’s not always something that has to be cured. The definition of infertility is having unprotected sex in your fertile window for a year (or six months if you’re over 35) without getting pregnant.
Most of the time, infertility just means you’re having trouble conceiving, and for many people, becoming a parent is still a possibility. Conceiving after infertility can be a difficult journey, emotionally and logistically, but there are some things that might make it a little easier.
Trying new things
If your past treatments have included things such as Clomid or IUI, your healthcare provider might recommend that you try the next level of treatment, which could be gonadotropins or IVF. Sometimes these things can work for women who haven’t had success with Clomid or various methods of insemination.
Trying old things
Sometimes a treatment won’t work the first, second, or third time, but it might work on the fourth. A lot of different elements have to come together at just the right time to make a successful pregnancy, and a fertility treatment that doesn’t work now might be just the trick in the future. Especially when an expensive procedure is the next step, sticking with the same treatment is a viable option for many women. It’s also entirely for possible for some women diagnosed with infertility to conceive naturally, depending on the cause of the infertility.
Finding support
Taking hormones and fertility medications can be tough on your body, and it’s also difficult mentally and emotionally. You might benefit from seeing a counselor or a therapist who you can talk to about your fertility struggles and stress. It’s important that you don’t neglect your mental health while you’re hyper-focused on your physical and reproductive health.
Getting specific
If you know you’re having trouble, but don’t know why, it might help to get a more specific diagnosis. Your healthcare provider might want to screen you for certain conditions known to impact fertility, such as PCOS, PID, or endometriosis. If you’re living with an undiagnosed condition, your fertility might be improved by certain treatments.
The bottom line
Sources
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“Frequently asked questions about infertility.” Resolve. Resolve: The National Infertility Association. 2016. Web.
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“Pregnancy after infertility.” Resolve. Resolve: The National Infertility Association. 2016. Web.
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“Myths and facts about pregnancy after infertility.” Resolve. Resolve:The National Infertility Association. 2016. Web.
