Fertility Problems
Use the following guide to help you find the medical and personal information you need to understand fertility problems and move forward with the expansion of your family. You'll find a general overview of fertility issues, explanations of causes and treatments, information about related conditions, and places to go for support.
Expand All Guide SectionsFertility Issues Overview
There are number of reasons you may have difficulty conceiving. In this section, we'll provide you with some Web sites that provide overviews of fertility issues, explain what they are, and offer advice and insight into how to deal with them.
Dulcinea's Insight
- When getting information from the Web, be sure that the source of that information is a reliable one such as a university, hospital, or well-known association. Beware of sites that offer you quick fixes and guaranteed success.
- Your questions and concerns may change as you learn more about your condition, so if you find a site that you like, bookmark it so you can return later.
Dulcinea's Picks
For encyclopedias and glossaries ...
MedlinePlus
contains a "Medical Encyclopedia" that reviews the definition of infertility, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.
The InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
has a glossary of terms that you may encounter while learning about fertility issues.
The Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center
lists some commonly used terms in infertility treatment.
For general information ...
The American Fertility Association
is a national not-for-profit association that is geared toward the general public and healthcare professionals. On this Web site you'll find a multitude of links about fertility, infertility, and adoption options.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
is a nonprofit organization for professionals and the general public. This page is for patients and provides you with links to information related to fertility issues.
IVF.com
is the Web site of Georgia Reproductive Specialists, a reproductive healthcare service provider. The site's "FAQs" page covers many aspects of infertility, from previous medical issues to difficulties such as allergies to dyes used in certain tests.
The American Pregnancy Association
has several links to fertility information. From an infertility FAQ to information on working through the emotions of fertility issues, this is a comprehensive portal for both partners.
Causes of Infertility
There are many different causes of infertility in both men and women. It's in your best interest to become familiar with them, since determining the root of your problem is necessary before you can select a treatment. Use the information you find to make personal lifestyle adjustments, or as a catalyst for conversation with your doctor.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Some fertility problems can be remedied by lifestyle changes. Review these changes carefully and implement them if possible. You might be able to avoid expensive, complex treatments.
- Some of the medical problems that cause infertility are covered in other findingDulcinea Web guides. For example, if you have had a sexually transmitted disease, you can consult the findingDulcinea STDs Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For men and women ...
Mayo Clinic
provides information on the causes of both female and male infertility. The authors discuss contributing factors such as lifestyle choices, medications, and medical illnesses.
BabyCentre
is a U.K. Web site with an informative chart that outlines the major causes of infertility in both men and women, their definitions, possible symptoms and solutions, and success rates in reversing infertility.
For women ...
eMedicineHealth
has an extensive portal of infertility information. This page reviews different causes of female infertility, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors.
The University of Maryland Medical Center
offers this information on female infertility. It reviews various medical reasons for infertility, such as early menopause.
For men ...
The American Academy of Family Physicians
provides this information on male infertility. The authors discuss specific causes, when a man should be checked for infertility, and possible treatments.
HealthLink
, a Web site of the Medical College of Wisconsin, reviews male infertility and treatment options. The authors discuss how couples can work together when there are infertility issues.
Fertility Tests
When a couple is infertile, there are fertility tests for both men and women to determine the cause. In this section, we provide Web sites that describe the most common tests.
Dulcinea's Insight
- You can use the sites in this section to get a better understanding of tests your doctor is already doing, or to research tests you haven't tried yet.
- Medical sites can often get very technical. If you come across terms you don't understand, look at the glossaries listed in the "Fertility Issues Overview" section of this guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
The Cleveland Clinic
describes what a diagnostic laparoscopy is, why it's performed, and how. The authors review how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect afterward.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
provides a PDF fact sheet that reviews a test called a hysterosalpingogram, or HSG. The authors review how the test is performed and the associated risks and complications.
The RadiologyInfo
site reviews a test called a hysterosonography. The authors review the uses for the test, how the procedure is performed, and the associated risks.
Lab Tests Online
, a Web site of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, provides several pages that review the different blood and semen tests that are done to determine the causes of infertility. This page describes the estrogen test. Learn about the FSH or Follicle-stimulating hormone test, the LH or Luteinizing hormone test, the progesterone test, and for men the testosterone test, and semen analysis.
NetWellness
is maintained by the University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, and The Ohio State University. The site provides a "Health Encyclopedia" that includes a definition of testicular biopsy, explaining why it is performed, how to prepare, and what to expect. You can also read the entry on endometrial biopsy.
Fertility Treatment
There are several methods to aid conception. This section provides you with Web sites that describe the various types of fertility treatment offered, as well as sites to help you find fertility specialists in your area.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Beware of Web sites offering miracle cures. Always check with your doctor before purchasing anything online or making major lifestyle changes.
- There are steps you can take on your own to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. For example, FertilityPlus provides this BBT (body basal temperature) chart in various formats. These charts allow women to chart their BBT and recognize their most fertile days.
Dulcinea's Picks
To learn about different fertility treatments ...
The BabyCentre
has a lot of information about treatments for infertility. Here you'll find a comprehensive chart of different treatment options, their descriptions, the percentage of women who become pregnant after treatment, and "insider information."
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
makes available this 20-page document in PDF format called "Infertility: An Overview." The authors review what happens during an initial visit with an infertility specialist, the process of conception, fertility factors, and the chances of success with in vitro fertilization.
Mayo Clinic
's portal on infertility provides a description of treatments available for many of the causes of infertility. At the end of the text, by clicking on "Prevention," you can read about ways to prevent lifestyle causes of infertility.
The American Urological Association
's site reviews the many different issues that a man can have with his urinary and reproductive system. Scroll down a bit to find a description of various treatments for male infertility; the top of this page reviews the causes.
For finding fertility specialists ...
The InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
provides help in finding infertility specialists across the United States. Enter your zip code and you'll get a list of specialists nearby.
The Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
provides a searchable database of reproductive endocrinologists. Enter your state to find a list of specialists near you.
For information about assisted conception ...
BUPA
is a U.K. health insurance company that provides this informative patient fact sheet on assisted conception. The authors review the preliminary tests, treatment for both male and female infertility, and possible complications.
Infertility Support
People who have had similar experiences can be a good source of information and moral support. In this section, we provide you with Web sites that connect you with others through bulletin boards and chat rooms, as well as contact information for in-person support.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Always remember that these Web sites are public and anyone can join. Always confirm anything you hear with a medical professional, and don't post anything that is extremely personal.
- Moderated sites are usually safer than non-moderated sites as moderators can control who can post and delete inappropriate material.
- You may find it helpful to sign up for e-newsletters. They are usually written by professionals and women (and men) who understand what it is like to be experiencing infertility.
Dulcinea's Picks
The InterNational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
offers information and support on infertility before and after pregnancy. This page has several links to support forums and bulletin boards that are divided by topic, such as infertility medical forums and pregnancy after infertility.
iVillage
's community provides several moderated bulletin boards in its infertility section. The boards are for women in all stages of infertility and include male factor infertility discussion topics.
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
helps you find local chapters and "HelpLines" around the country.
FertilityFriends
is a U.K.-based Web site that offers support through message boards. Browse the "Ask a Nurse" or "Ask a Midwife" sections for answers to questions you may have, or check out other board topics. There is also a chat room available on certain days.
FertileThoughts
is a site with numerous bulletin boards where you can exchange information with other women and men who are experiencing similar issues.
Fertility Research
You can learn about treatments that might be available in the near or distant future by following the progress of research scientists and doctors. This section shows you Web sites that discuss fertility research and the findings.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Some Web sites announce very early results to study trials. If there is a breakthrough that seems very promising, be aware that any medication or procedures may not be available to the public for a few years.
- Many journals are only accessible through subscriptions but their associated Web sites may offer abstracts of their research articles. Abstracts are a good way to learn the basic findings of a particular study.
Dulcinea's Picks
ClinicalTrials.gov
lists most of the recognized ongoing clinical trials on fertility. This page provides you a list of the trials, their location, and if the researchers are recruiting patients. You can look specifically into in vitro trials and trials investigating causes for infertility.
Fertility and Sterility
is the official journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. This page gives you nonsubscription access to article abstracts.
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
is another journal that publishes the latest in infertility research. You can access the article abstracts but not the full articles.
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine Online
provides abstracts of infertility articles. A select number of articles are also available in whole.
Fertility Treatment and Multiples Pregnancy
These Web sites discuss the incidence, causes, and risks of multiple births related to fertility treatments. You'll also find advice on managing your pregnancy and delivery if you do become pregnant with more than one baby.
Dulcinea's Insight
- There are many Web sites dedicated to parents of twins and multiples that can provide great support during your pregnancy, delivery, and throughout your children's lives.
Dulcinea's Picks
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
provides this document in PDF format that reviews the risks of fertility treatments and addresses multiple births. It also briefly reviews how to choose a fertility program.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
offers a patient information sheet called "Multiple Pregnancy and Birth: Twins, Triplets, and Higher Order Multiples." The 16-page PDF document reviews the risk factors for multiple pregnancies, the duration of the pregnancies, prevention, and successfully carrying a multiple pregnancy.
The University of Virginia Health System
offers information about pregnancies with multiple children. It reviews the basics and then goes on to explain why such pregnancies might be a concern.
KidsHealth
, created by the Nemours Foundation, has a section on preparing for multiple births. In easy-to-understand language, the types of multiple births are discussed. It reviews the increased nutritional needs of women pregnant with multiples and how to prepare for childbirth.
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
