Self Diagnosis
Are you having trouble conceiving... You're not alone. If you and your partner have been actively trying to start a family for over 12 months with no success, talk to your General Practitioner. |
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Having trouble falling pregnant?
One in six Australian couples, of reproductive age, experience difficulties conceiving a child.
The growing trend for Australian women to delay childbearing is having a significant impact on their individual fertility, and consequent need for fertility treatment.
Anecdotal reasons for delaying conception:
- "We didn't realise we had a problem, we'd been trying for a couple of years and just thought we needed a holiday".
- "It took me a while to find my soulmate, I didn't plan to be starting a family in my mid 30s."
- "We put off having a baby because we wanted to establish our careers and achieve financial security before we started a family. We're ready now, but it's just not happening."
Chance of conception
The normal monthly success rate for couples trying to conceive naturally at 25 years of age is 20% — this figure decreases with increasing female age particularly after 35 years of age.
“Why are we having trouble conceiving?”
Causes of infertility are many and varied and involve male, female or a combination of factors. They include problems with:
- the production of sperm or eggs;
- the structure of function of male or female reproductive systems, and/or
- hormonal and immune disorders in both men and women.
After a woman's age, male infertility is the biggest single factor influencing a couple's chance of conception (40% sperm related cause). Others include:
- Ovulation disorders 20%
- Tubal disease 15%
- Endometriosis 15%
- Combination of male & female factors 30%
Self Diagnosis
Step 1 To gain a quick understanding or you and your partner's fertility read through the following and if you answer 'yes' for just a few of these questions you should talk to your General Practitioner.
Have you been actively trying to achieve pregnancy for more than 12 months?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Are you or your partner over 35 years of age?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Do you have irregular or absent periods?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Have you had two or more miscarriages?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Prior use of an intrauterine device (IUD)?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Do you have Endometriosis/painful menstruation?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Do you have excessive acne or hirsutism (body hair in females)?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Is there a history of pelvic/genital infection in either partner?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Do you have problems having intercourse?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Have either of you had previous abdominal surgery?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Is there a chronic medical condition in either partner? (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Is there a history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy in either partner?
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Yes [ ] No [ ] |
Step 2 Ring for an appointment on 1800 111 IVF (1800 111 483) - this can be done prior to obtaining a referral from your GP.
Step 3 Visit your GP for a referral to the IVFA doctor you have made an appointment with.
Step 4 Meet with the IVFAustralia doctor you have made your appointment with who will record your medical history, consider tests, and discuss treatment options.
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