If you’re under 35 and have been attempting to become pregnant for a year, it may be time to contact a local gynecologist to evaluate your situation. While you may not be conscious of any issues, it’s possible that you may have an underlying condition or are engaging in behaviors that are preventing conception.
Smoking just five cigarettes a day, for example, has been shown to lower men’s as well as women’s fertility rates. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis are two conditions that may also make it difficult to conceive. Depression, stress, and financial hardship have also been shown to impact a woman’s ability to become pregnant.
If you’ve been experiencing depression and financial difficulties, it’s possible that you might be showing signs of premature menopause. The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health published a report that indicates there may be a relationship between a woman’s experience of long-term economic hardship and early menopause.
While some women may go through menopause around 51, others do so during their 30s or 60s. Most women, however, are between the ages of 40-to-58 when they make this transition. Before menopause, nine-out-of-ten women may also experience peri-menopause. This is a period of time which lasts approximately four years when a woman’s menstrual cycle is altered or sporadic. After a year without a period, a woman is considered to be in menopause.
Once you meet with your gynecologist, they may decide to refer you to a fertility clinic. In addition to surgical procedures and fertility medications, a fertility specialist may recommend in vitro fertilization or assisted reproductive technology.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assisted reproductive technology (ART) pertains to “all fertility treatments in which both eggs and embryos are handled.” An example of this would be the implantation of an embryo after eggs have been retrieved and fertilized. ART does not refer, however, to just handling sperm or the stimulation of egg production.
Since there are different causes of infertility in women, it’s important to seek the guidance and assistance of a fertility specialist. When you find a gynecologist that specializes in fertility issues, you may discover that there are several treatment options available.