Do you think you are one of the 16%?
Many Canadians dream of having children of their own, but for some, the dream can seem just out of reach. If you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant, there is hope. At First Step Fertility, we understand how difficult this time can be for you and your family, and want to assure you that you never have to go through this process alone.
Speak with your physician and get a referral.
Speak with your physician and get a referral.
- under 35 and have been unable to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse
- over 35 and have been unable to get pregnant after 6 months of unprotected intercourse (NB: As your chances of becoming pregnant at and after the age of 35 decreases by nearly 50%, women 35 and over may choose to see a fertility specialist immediately)
If you have or have experienced the following reproductive health conditions:
- Large fibroids or moderate/severe endometriosis
- Ovulatory dysfunction, including irregular or absent periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian insufficiency, or you’ve had ovarian surgery
- Two or more miscarriages
- Pelvic/genital infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Tubal ligation, tubal surgery, blocked tubes (one or both), or more than one ectopic
Although it may be commonly believed that infertility solely affects women, the reality is in 3 out of 10 cases the cause is related to the man. Has your partner has been experiencing:
- Abnormal semen analysis
- Undescended testicles
- A history of vasectomy or sexual dysfunction
Often, infertility is a combination of factors affecting both the man and woman.
- If you’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer, or have undergone chemotherapy or radiation treatments
- If you have been diagnosed with HIV, Hepatitis B or C
- If you have been diagnosed with a genetic condition that may be passed on to your child
First Steps Fertility offers assistance to single women interested in preserving their own fertility, single women or men interested in having their own biological child, and women or men in a same-sex relationship interesting in having their own biological child.
When you are ready to start your family, don’t leave it up to chance. The specialists at First Step Fertility are highly experienced medical professionals who will work hard to fulfill your dreams of having a baby.
Please Click Here for a Referral form to bring to your Doctor.
Both men and women can be impacted by fertility issues. If a couple is having trouble conceiving after 1 year of having regular, unprotected intercourse, it may be time to find out if one or both partners have some issues. Visiting a fertility clinic and talking to a doctor is the best way to achieve this goal.
Infertility is more common than most people probably think, but it’s a problem that can be overcome. With a diagnosis and intervention, it’s possible for couples to have a family and live out their dreams of being parents. Below are some common reasons a woman might be infertile.
- Hormonal Issues that Impact Ovulation
For a woman to get pregnant, her ovaries have to release an egg that is then fertilized by sperm. If hormones make it so that eggs are not released on a regular schedule, it can be hard to time the fertilization efforts. A fertility specialist will be able to conduct tests to find out if this is the case, and if it is, make a plan to correct the issue so that conception can occur.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
This syndrome is caused by an imbalance of hormones that causes cysts to grow on a woman’s ovaries. This throws the entire reproductive system out of balance and leads to a woman having irregular menstruation or no menstruation at all. It’s possible for a woman to have this syndrome and not know about it, so talking to a professional will help diagnose this issue and find a way to correct the problem.
- Endometriosis
When a woman is affected by endometriosis, the tissue that normally lines the uterus ventures outside of that area and grows in other parts of the body. This most commonly includes on the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It still functions as it would if it was in the uterus, meaning once a month it sheds its lining if there isn’t a fertilized egg present.
These cells can block fallopian tubes and make it impossible for the egg to be fertilized by sperm, thus making conception difficult. A professional has the ability to help with this issue so that a woman has the chance to get pregnant.
About half of the fertility issues within a couple can be caused by the woman, while the other half are related to fertility issues in men. To overcome these obstacles and get pregnant, it’s important to talk to a fertility specialist and find the solution that is right for you.