The idea of seeking fertility treatment can be daunting. You might be weary of beginning a new unknown process, or you might feel disappointed at the thought of needing treatment at all. We spoke with Dr. Marc R. Gualtieri, a fertility specialist at IVF FLORIDA, and he breaks down some reasons you might need fertility treatment and some of the first steps you can expect as you begin.

“I think several people get a little bit of anxiety when they have to make that initial step to see a fertility specialist but, rest assured, we are here to partner with you and provide the best information and personalized treatment plans for your family-building journey,” shares Dr. Gualtieri. “We will take your full case and say, okay, what do we think is the best option for you?”

When to seek treatment

Generally speaking, there are a few guidelines to follow when thinking about your need for fertility treatment.

· If you are under 35 with a regular menstrual cycle, and no pregnancy after 1 year.

· If you are 35 to 39 with regular menstrual cycles and have no pregnancy after six months.

· If you are 40 or over with regular menstrual cycles, you should seek support as you begin trying to conceive.

You may also want to seek evaluation early if:

· You have an irregular menstrual cycle.

· You have a history of pelvic surgery (such as the removal of an ovarian cyst, ablation of endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery, or ruptured appendix).

· You have blocked tubes.

· You have severely painful periods.

· You have an infertility diagnosis (such as PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, or male factor)

· You are a single person pursuing parenthood.

· You are pursuing LGBTQIA+ family-building treatment.

However, it is also important to consider your individual situation.

“If you are ready to start a family but are concerned about irregular or missed periods, don’t hesitate in reaching out directly to a fertility specialist – there is no reason to delay

based on age guidelines,” shares Dr. Gualtieri. “Together, we can create a personalized treatment plan that works for you.”

What to expect at your first appointment

At your first visit, one of the most important elements in determining the correct course of care is to completely understand your general medical history and the efforts you've taken to become pregnant.

“A thorough work-up is key to helping patients achieve their family-building goals. We’re committed to making the diagnostic process as streamlined, efficient, and personalized as possible to ensure you receive the very best care,” explains Dr. Gualtieri. “In most cases for the basic fertility work-up, we’ll do bloodwork to assess various hormone levels, an ultrasound to look at your ovaries, as well as your uterus, and then finally, a semen analysis for your partner, if applicable.”

There are also other evaluation techniques that may come up; however, you will always discuss with your provider what’s right for you.

“Once we go through these tests, there are many different avenues you can take for treatment,” Dr. Gualtieri shares.

When you’re ready to move forward with your family-building care, request an appointment with an IVF FLORIDA fertility specialist by calling 954-247-6200 or completing this brief form.