Frequently Asked Questions
If you are younger than 35 years old and have been trying for more than one year you should schedule an appointment with a fertility specialist. If you are older than 35 years and have been trying for atleast six months without success then I would recommend scheduling your appointment with the doctor or fertility specialist as soon as you can. If you have a reason to suspect you may have a problem getting pregnant such as a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, painful periods, miscarriage, irregular menstrual cycles, or if your partner has a low sperm count, you should seek help sooner.
Going to see a fertility specialist may help a couple figure out why they’re not conceiving. Women see a reproductive endocrinologist and men see a urologist who specializes in fertility. In some cases there may not be an obvious reason why a couple can’t conceive. This is known as unexplained infertility. Fertility treatments can often help these couples with unexplained infertility.
Trust is extremely important as you make complicated decisions that involve your health, your family and some money. Make sure you know the experience and credentials of the doctor who will be treating you. To find out if a doctor is a board-certified OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, or urologist.
The most fertile time of a woman’s cycle is just before or on the day of ovulation. Ovulation usually occurs two weeks before a period starts.Take the number of days in the usual cycle and subtract 14. For example, a woman with a 32-day cycle would likely ovulate around day 18 (32-14=18), while a woman with a 28-day cycle would ovulate around day 14 (28-14=14). I would recommend every other day intercourse around the day of ovulation.
I am still trying to figure this one out myself. However I can say with much research that there’s no evidence that certain lovemaking positions, such as having a pillow under your bottom to tilt your uterus or keeping your legs in the air afterwards, can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Sperm can swim fast enough without the help of gravity and in the right environment, the strongest sperm can swim through the cervix and into the womb in around two minutes. The most important thing is the frequency and timing of intercourse.
In infertility treatment, there are honest differences of opinion and philosophy among doctors. Many infertility experts encourage their patients to seek a second medical opinion before making major decisions. A second opinion may be helpful when considering a new approach, or when re-evaluating whether to continue care.
In infertile couples where women have blocked or absent fallopian tubes, or where men have
low sperm counts, IVF offers a chance at parenthood to couples who until recently would have
had no hope of having a “biologically related” child.
Like other extremely delicate medical procedures, IVF involves highly trained professionals with
sophisticated laboratories and equipment, and the cycle may need to be repeated 1-3 times. So,
yes it is expensive, however getting it done in South Africa is much cheaper than overseas.low sperm counts, IVF offers a chance at parenthood to couples who until recently would have
had no hope of having a “biologically related” child.
A woman’s age is a very important factor. The closer a woman is to 40, the less the chances are
of getting pregnant. For women over 40, the chances are very low.low sperm counts, IVF offers a chance at parenthood to couples who until recently would have
had no hope of having a “biologically related” child.
Approximately 40% of infertility cases are attributable to male factors, and 40% to factors that
affect women. In about 10% of cases, infertility is caused by a combination of factors in both
partners. Approximately 10% of couples are diagnosed with “unexplained infertility” because no
specific cause can be identified.
A woman’s age is a very important factor. The closer a woman is to 40, the less the chances are
of getting pregnant. For women over 40, the chances are very low.low sperm counts, IVF offers a chance at parenthood to couples who until recently would have
had no hope of having a “biologically related” child.
Yes. High temperatures can damage sperm. That is why the scrotum is located outside the
body – to act as a kind of “refrigerator” to keep the sperm cool. So, it is a good idea for the male
partner to avoid hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms or even putting the laptop on the lap while you
are trying to conceive.
Not all medical aids. We advise you ask your provider.
Two treatment options are available: a tubal reversal, which is a surgical procedure to reconnect
the fallopian tubes, or in vitro fertilization. With either process, initial testing is required in order
to determine which treatment is appropriate.
In intrauterine insemination (IUI), is when a health professional places specially prepared semen
into a woman’s uterus near the time she is ovulating. IUI can be used to bypass a problem
preventing sperm from reaching an egg – for example, if the sperm do not get through the cervix
into the uterus. In other cases, there is no known barrier to the passage of sperm, but IUI is
suggested in an attempt to increase the odds of conception.
In general, birth defects are thought to be no more common in infants born following infertility
treatment than among those conceived without it.
However well-intentioned, the statement “just relax and you’ll get pregnant” has been very
hurtful to couples with infertility. Nowadays infertility is better understood, and stress is
recognized primarily as a result, rather than a cause, of fertility problems. Yes, there is evidence
that stress can have a negative impact on sperm and egg production.
In many cases difficulty in becoming pregnant can be resolved by a gynecologist without a
referral to a specialist. Often the problem comes down to sometimes tricky timing of intercourse
with ovulation, which may be resolved by using one of the over-the-counter urine ovulation
predictor tests. Your OB/GYN can also conduct a basic infertility evaluation. If a problem is
found during your evaluation and for more complex fertility issues, it is advised to see a fertility
specialist.
Symptoms for women can include:
● Abnormal, irregular or painful periods
● No periods
● Skin changes, including more acne
● Changes in sex drive and desire
● Dark hair growth on the lips, chest and chin
● Loss of hair or thinning hair
● Unexplained weight gain
● Hot flashes
● Painful intercourse or inability to have intercourse
● Milky breast discharge
Symptoms for men can include:
● Pain, lump or swelling in the testicles
● Problems with erections and ejaculations
● Small, firm testicles
● Changes in hair growth
● Changes in sexual desire
While you are trying to conceive, enjoy a healthful lifestyle. Tell your doctor and pharmacist that
you are trying to get pregnant. They can tell you whether any prescription or over-the-counter
medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you or your partner use could be disturbing your fertility or be dangerous to use during early pregnancy. Avoid douching or using vaginal
lubricants.
Even a couple with no fertility problems have only about a one in four chance of conceiving
during a single cycle. Maximize your chances by having sexual intercourse regularly during the
fertile part of your cycle. An ovulation predictor may help you determine when you ovulate so
you can better time intercourse.
Yes it does. Age is the single most important factor that influences a woman’s fertility. A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. As a woman ages, her eggs also age, and they diminish in quantity and quality. Currently, there are no methods or treatments available to stop or reverse that process. At age 30, a woman’s chance of conceiving each month is about 20 percent. At 40, it’s about 5 percent.
Yes it does. The quality of a man’s sperm decreases with age starting at age 40. Declining fertility, however, occurs much more slowly in men than in women.
Infertility and being sterile are different. Infertility is diagnosed if a couple is unable to conceive a child after having well-timed, unprotected intercourse over a 12-month time period. It does not mean you may never get pregnant. Sterility is diagnosed after a thorough medical examination indicates the patient has no uterus, no ovaries, no egg production or no sperm production.
The cost of adoption and infertility are high. The costs depend on the fertility clinic and specialists that you see and in most cases medical aids do not cover infertility treatments.
Yes, is has been proven that nutrition does make a difference. Things like making sure to get
adequate folic acid, iron, and calcium, and to be careful to minimize risks for bacteria, mercury,
and caffeine, and of course, avoiding alcohol and smoke (not only cigarettes, but also grilled
foods). All of these make a difference to your fertility.
Patients can arrange appointments by emailing us info@fertilitysolutions.co.za. Send us all your information and we will arrange and put you in touch with your nearest clinic.
The initial appointment addresses issues ranging from medical history to goals and a timeline for conception. Though treatment plans are discussed when possible, sometimes more testing is necessary first so as to determine the best therapy.
We recommend that both members of a couple are present, especially for the first appointment.
We respect how important the financial costs of treatment are for many people. Below, we have
listed average price ranges for a few of the tests and treatments on offer in SA. These numbers
are for reference only and are different for each fertility clinic.
● Initial consultation w/specialist – R1500 to R2500
● Diagnostic hysteroscopy w/saline infusion sonogram* – contact your fertility clinic
● Semen, count and motility testing – R1800 to R4500 +
● Semen, complete analysis – R800 to R1900
● Ultrasound – R500 to R1000
● Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) – R6500 to R9000 +
● In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – R40 000 to R50 000 +
● Vasectomy – R5000 – R10 000
In most cases, a previous abortion won’t affect your future fertility. Sometimes abortion may
affect your fertility in case of an infection that develops in the uterus and spreads to ovaries and fallopian tubes if lest untreated. In very rare cases, women who have had several surgical
abortions can develop Asherman’s syndrome, in which scar tissue forms inside the uterus. This
tissue can be removed through surgery, which should improve fertility.
If you want to have kids, we recommend you start a conversation with your doctor or complete some preliminary testing to learn more about your fertility. It’s never too early!
Microsurgical techniques offer very good chances for restoring fertility after sterilization – even if other attempts have failed. Microscopic surgery should give over 90% restoration of fertility after vasectomy reversal, and up to 100% restoration of fertility with tubal ligation reversal.
Selecting your infertility doctor or fertility clinic should be based on their level of expertise, team approach, availability, certifications, proximity, and services provided. However, the most important quality a facility can offer is genuine concern and understanding for the patient’s emotional needs throughout the stressful time. The advice from a patient’s gynecologist can help facilitate this process. You should feel comfortable and at ease with your physician and your infertility team.
You don’t know until you try. You can have great eggs retrieved and frozen but when they are unfrozen, there is a chance that they may not be able to be fertilized.
There are a few tried and true ways to remain healthy. Try to achieve your ideal body weight as both being underweight and overweight can impact fertility. Quit smoking as it can damage the ovaries. Limit your drinking. You can start taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid—having folic acid on board when you conceive reduces the risk of a number of birth defects, including neural tube defects, like spina bifida.
Yes, although the chances of getting pregnant at the beginning or end of your cycle are very lower. While it will vary from woman to woman, you are usually most fertile around 2 weeks before your next period is due. This is when an egg is released from your ovaries (ovulation).
It is called phantom kicks or phantom movements, and while there’s no confirmed medical reason why they happen. Once you’ve felt true fetal movement, it’s believed that you become more sensitive to sensation in or around your uterus, and therefore pick up on feelings you previously wouldn’t have. You may be experiencing gas or rumbling in your intestines or some uterine irritability.
There is no evidence to show that taking the emergency contraceptive pill, will affect your future fertility. The hormone leaves your body within days, so you need to use another form of contraception to protect against pregnancy if you have sex again during that cycle.
Vaginal discharge is normal and healthy, and exists for a few reasons:
- It helps carry away dead cells and keeps the vagina clean.
- It helps carry semen up through the cervix around ovulation to increase the chances of getting pregnant.
- You may notice that right after your period, you have very little or no vaginal discharge. It will then start up, but be dry and sticky. As you approach ovulation, it will get wetter until it has an egg white consistency (this is usually your time of peak fertility), and it will then taper off again until you get your period.
Healthy vaginal discharge is clear to white and has a sort of sour smell.
Yes, if you don’t want to fall pregnant. PCOS doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot get pregnant.