1. What is Infertility?
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse (six months if the woman is over 35) despite trying. It can affect both men and women and may be caused by various factors such as hormonal imbalances, reproductive organ issues, age-related factors, genetic disorders, or lifestyle factors. Infertility is a common concern affecting many couples and can be emotionally challenging.
2. Benefits of Infertility Evaluation
Undergoing infertility evaluation offers several benefits:
- Identify Underlying Causes: It helps identify any medical conditions or factors contributing to infertility, allowing for targeted treatment.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on the evaluation results, a personalized treatment plan can be developed to address specific concerns.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing the cause of infertility can provide emotional relief and clarity on the next steps.
- Optimize Success of Treatment: Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.
- Support and Guidance: Throughout the evaluation process, you receive support from Dr. Adeeb Alshahrour and the team at the Women’s Health Center of Chicago, ensuring you understand each step and feel supported.
3. How to Prepare for the Procedure
Preparing for infertility evaluation involves several steps to ensure comprehensive assessment:
- Initial Consultation: Schedule a consultation with Dr. Adeeb Alshahrour to discuss your medical history, lifestyle factors, and concerns about infertility.
- Medical Records: Gather any relevant medical records, including previous fertility evaluations or treatments.
- Partner Consultation: If applicable, ensure your partner attends consultations and provides their medical history as well.
- Testing and Examinations: Dr. Alshahrour may recommend tests such as blood tests to check hormone levels, imaging studies (ultrasound), and semen analysis for your partner.
- Lifestyle Changes: Make any necessary lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and managing stress, to optimize fertility.
4. What to Expect During the Procedure
During infertility evaluation, you can expect the following:
- Comprehensive Assessment: Dr. Alshahrour will conduct a thorough physical examination and review your medical history and test results.
- Diagnostic Tests: Depending on your specific situation, diagnostic tests may include blood tests to check hormone levels, ultrasound to evaluate reproductive organs, and other specialized tests as needed.
- Partner Evaluation: If infertility is suspected, your partner may also undergo fertility testing, including semen analysis to assess sperm quality and quantity.
- Consultation and Discussion: Dr. Alshahrour will discuss the results of the evaluation with you and your partner, explain any findings or potential issues, and recommend next steps for treatment.
5. Aftercare
After undergoing infertility evaluation, follow these guidelines for optimal care:
- Treatment Plan: Based on the evaluation results, Dr. Alshahrour will recommend a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.
- Medications and Procedures: If fertility treatments such as ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or in vitro fertilization (IVF) are recommended, follow the prescribed medications and procedures as directed.
- Emotional Support: Infertility can be emotionally challenging. Seek support from loved ones or consider joining a support group to connect with others facing similar challenges.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with Dr. Alshahrour to monitor progress, adjust treatment plans if necessary, and address any concerns.
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About Dr. Adeeb Al-Shahrour
Dr. Adeeb Alshahrour is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Chicago, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and St. Anthony Hospital-Chicago. He received his medical degree from University of Aleppo Faculty of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for over a year without success, or if you are over 35 and have been trying for six months without success, it’s advisable to seek infertility evaluation.
Common causes include ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and age-related factors. Dr. Alshahrour can perform tests to identify specific causes.
Male infertility may be caused by factors such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, hormonal imbalances, or genetic disorders. Semen analysis helps identify these factors.
Yes, many causes of infertility can be treated with medications, surgical procedures, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF, or lifestyle changes. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause identified during evaluation.
Fertility treatments are generally safe and can be highly effective in helping couples achieve pregnancy. Dr. Alshahrour will discuss the benefits, risks, and success rates of different treatment options based on your specific situation.
