Female Infertility Treatment

If you’re diagnosed with fertility problems, your reproductive endocrinologist (RE) will recommend a treatment plan. The best way to determine the treatment that’s best for you is to work closely with your RE and medical team and be an active, informed member and decision maker.

• Memorize names and roles of nurses and other office staff.
• Ask if a specific nurse works with your doctor and if they have designated call-in hours for questions.
• See if the doctor responds to questions via email or if they have a designated call-in time
• Find out if the office or clinic is closed on weekends or holidays or when they have scheduled vacation times.
• Find out who will see you if the office is closed and you needed monitoring.
• Determine what time the lab opens. If it’s not conveniently located see if there’s another place you can have tests performed.

Make your appointments count by:

• Creating a list of questions to ask the doctor. Make your list directly after each appointment so your concerns are fresh when you write them down.
• Getting someone you trust come with you and take notes while you ask questions or ask your doctor if you can record your questions and their answers.
• Discussing a timeline for treatment. It can always be adjusted and it will help you feel more in control.
• Being clear about what you want. If you are agreeable to more aggressive treatment, say so. If you aren’t comfortable with any treatment options, let your doctor know.
• Find out the risks and benefits for each treatment and drug.
• Discussing the normal values for blood tests and ask what yours are.
• If you are doing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) with stimulating drugs, discuss the risks of multiple gestation and miscarriage with your RE. Do research yourself as well and don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion.
• Discussing success rates for a specific treatment for women your age. Ask if the “success rate” means just conceiving or delivering a healthy, full-term baby.
• Getting a second opinion if surgery is recommended
• Requesting a copy of your medical records if you are considering getting a second opinion.
• Learning about infertility – the more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel in your treatment.
• Understanding what treatments your insurance will and won’t cover ahead of time.