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Friday, September 5, 2008

How You Know: If you're fertile

I don't mean if you're fertile today--that's a topic for a different post. But I'm often asked by patients to check to see if they're able to have children, whether it's more kids or any at all. In order to be fertile, you need three working parts: your ovaries to regularly ovulate, your fallopian tubes to be clear to allow fertilization, and your uterus to be clear to allow implantation. Gynos can evaluate each of the three, based on your medical history, physical exam and sometimes testing.

  • Ovaries. The best sign of regular ovulation is regular menstruation. If your periods are coming regularly--21 to 35 days apart--you are most likely ovulating. Longer or shorter periods could signify thyroid or pituitary dysfunction, which can be diagnosed through blood testing. Gynos can also evaluate the general state of your eggs, or "ovarian reserve," through specialized blood testing on day three of your period.
  • Fallopian tubes. Scarring of the tubes sometimes occurs with pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or pelvic surgery. Your doc can order a special X-ray of your tubes called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) if she suspects tubal blockage. If a blockage is found, there are multiple procedures that can be performed to clear the path.
  • Uterus. Uterine anomalies like a septum, polyp or fibroids can impede a pregnancy's implantation. Often these anomalies don't cause any trouble, but if you have a history of super-heavy periods or several miscarriages, your gyno may order an HSG to check out the inner contours of your uterus. If something there is making mischief, it can be surgically removed.


If you have regular periods and you've never had any gyno woes, your reproductive tract is likely in order. The hardest question I hear is "Can I put off trying to get pregnant for a year or two?" While I can determine how your gyno health is today, there's no test that can predict what will happen in the future. In other words, I can't tell you when you'll run out of eggs, or if another problem will develop. The best things you can do? Stay STD-free, in the best health you can...and when the time is right, go for it.

Do any of you have fertility concerns?

MORE FROM DAILY BEDPOST AND GLAMOUR:


 [photo credit: Getty Images]

Related: wellness, uterus, ovaries, infertility, fertility, fallopian tube

Syndication:

related Healthy Living links

  1. 1. Infertility: The secret of her success
  2. 2. Ask Dr. Kate: Of eggs and endometriosis
  3. 3. Myth of the Month: IUDs cause infections and infertility

From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 14
  • jen's Avatar
    Posted by jen Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:23am PDT

    Not to be a downer, but my eggs, tubes and uterus are in great condition and my husband and I have been trying to conceive for 4 years. He's healthy too. We've had every test under the sun, but no answers. I just want people to know there is something called unexplained infertility. Please don't take your fertility for granted. If you've been trying to conceive for over a year (if under 35) or over 6 months (if over 35), see a specialist and have some testing done.

    We're starting IVF in a few weeks and pray it's the answer for us. :)

    Report Abuse
  • Abundant Goddess's Avatar
    Posted by Abundant Goddess Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:18pm PDT

    I've had two miscarriages, one 5 years ago, and one 1 year ago in May 2007. I had one child 7 years ago, who is amazing, and we want a little brother or sister for her. I am 38 years old, will be 39 this October.

    My periods are coming every 21-28 days, they used to be every 28 days on the dot, but the last year or so, have changed to every 21-28 days.

    I have been under tremendous stress the last 4 years, and it's gotten worse the last year. I don't have health insurance (part of the stress is financial) and I'm wondering what to do.

    Any advice is welcome.

    Report Abuse
  • Dr.Kate's Avatar
    Posted by Dr.Kate Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:10pm PDT

    Goddess, if your periods are still coming every month (even if the timing changes), it's a good sign that you're ovulating. You can try using an ovulation predictor kit to better time when you have sex, and have a higher chance of conceiving.

    Report Abuse
  • Abundant Goddess's Avatar
    Posted by Abundant Goddess Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:12pm PDT

    Thanks, Dr. Kate, will do.

    Report Abuse
  • jen's Avatar
    Posted by jen Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:53am PDT

    I have a suggestion to help relieve stress. :) I've also had several miscarriages and have been trying for some time now.

    I bought two cd's for myself. (They were recommended to me as well)

    http://store.anjionline.com/-strse-Infertility-cln-Guided-Imagery-CDs/Categories.bok

    They are very relaxing and positive. I bought 'Meditations for a Fertile Soul' (which is great for anyone) and the IVF cd because we're headed there.

    May you be blessed very soon!

    Report Abuse
  • stacy_klukas's Avatar
    Posted by stacy_klukas Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:13am PDT

    sooo...has anybody tried clomid? If so how as that?

    Report Abuse
  • jen's Avatar
    Posted by jen Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:43am PDT

    I've used clomid. It works for many people, but since I don't have a problem ovulating, it didn't work for me.

    It can give you hot flashes and mood swings. Luckily, it only made me a little hot at night. No biggie.

    I hope it works for you!

    Report Abuse
  • anathemadev's Avatar
    Posted by anathemadev Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:34am PDT

    I'm only 28, but I worry if we should really wait much longer than my anticipated Phd graduation date (probably year - year and a half). We wanted to wait until my hubby finishes his Phd, he just started this year so it will be another 4-5 years. The problems are that I have a strong family history of breast cancer (mother, grandmother, and aunt) so it might be better for me to start sooner rather than later. But mainly because I'm a synthetic organic chemist and I work with a lot of nasty stuff (carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens) and I worry about what it's doing to my eggs.

    Report Abuse
  • strawberryshortcake's Avatar
    Posted by strawberryshortcake Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:34pm PDT

    I'm 26 I like movies, game, sports, and eveything I like writing poems and singing. my favorite color is purple. I am a down to earth girl.my american sign is virgo and chinese sign is rooster.I like reading lots of diffrent books I like teddybears and collecting dolls in my spare time. I like to hang out with a few close frinds and I love to go shopping.

    Report Abuse
  • nickypoohbaby's Avatar
    Posted by nickypoohbaby Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:18pm PDT

    Hi I tried to conceive with having a baby but it has not worked yet. But I also had some mishaps back last year with having a std and not having them treated. I really want to have children with my partner. But I want to knwow if me having the std is probably the problem. Can i still have a baby even though i did have the std and didnt have it treated. My gyno said that i could but i have not seen results. Should i just sit back and wait or go have teat ran?

    Report Abuse
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