There are all types of medical tests that can shed light on many aspects of your health, from high cholesterol to infections. The good thing about these tests is that they can either relieve your worry about potential problems or shed light on issues that require further attention and treatment.

When it comes to the process of conception, there are many tests that you may take, from ovulation tests to pregnancy tests. But what about if you’ve been struggling to conceive? Females who have been trying to get pregnant can take blood tests that check for potential infertility causes. We’re here to help you determine the right time for females to book a blood test for infertility.

Read on to learn about blood tests for infertility, when females should schedule one and the steps to follow afterward.

What you need to know about blood tests for infertility

Let’s start with the basics. An individual or couple may be diagnosed with infertility if they’ve been unable to conceive after having intercourse for at least one year without a form of birth control. The time frame of an infertility diagnosis is usually shortened to six months without conception for females who are 35 or older.

There are a few potential ways that a health care provider may test for potential infertility in a female, such as a pap smear to look at the cells in the cervix. They may also recommend an ultrasound to take a look at your uterus and ovaries. The goal is to determine a possible cause behind the lack of conception.

A common way to check for infertility in females is through blood tests. By testing your blood, your health care provider can check for a variety of factors that contribute to fertility.

Blood tests for infertility can include checking the levels of your:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone — Helps control your menstrual cycle and the growth of the ovarian follicles that contain eggs.

• Estradiol — A type of estrogen made in the ovaries.

• Luteinizing hormone — Plays a role in egg maturation and ovarian hormone production. 

• Anti-müllerian hormone — Helps regulate growing follicles and their selection for ovulation; corresponds to ovarian reserve or egg count.

When a female should schedule a blood test for infertility

It’s normal to not conceive quickly after you start trying. That’s why health care professionals recommend waiting at least one year before testing for infertility, or six months for females over the age of 35. But it’s possible to ask for a blood test before those timelines if you have certain medical conditions or issues that may contribute to potential infertility.

If a female has any of these conditions, they shouldn’t wait one year to schedule a blood test for infertility:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Thyroid problems.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• A past ectopic pregnancy.
• Irregular periods.
• Repeated miscarriages.

What to do following a blood test for infertility for females

If a female’s blood tests show signs of infertility, it can be difficult to emotionally and mentally process. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope for having a baby. At Fertility Cloud, we’re here to help you progress on your journey to conception through treatment options that can increase the chance of pregnancy.

Here are treatment options that you can explore following a blood test showing causes of infertility:

• Ovarian stimulation (OS) — Your fertility specialist will likely try to help stimulate your ovulation as one of the first courses of action. They will usually start with a prescription of clomiphene citrate or letrozole oral tablets. These medications work to increase the number of ovulated eggs that are released into the fallopian tubes during ovulation. Pregnancy from the OS is likely to occur in the first three months..

• Trigger shot — OS treatment is often coupled with an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. It’s a hormone that can help to release multiple mature eggs from the ovaries. Trigger shots can be self-administered either into the muscle or under the skin in the abdomen.

• In vitro fertilization — If other treatments haven’t resulted in a pregnancy, your specialist may recommend in vitro fertilization, commonly referred to as IVF. This process involves taking eggs from the ovaries to a lab where they are fertilized by sperm. IVF involves multiple procedures and, unfortunately, doesn’t work for everyone, which is why it’s usually only recommended when other options haven’t worked.

Fertility Cloud can give blood tests for female infertility 

While it can be nerve-wracking and distressing to think that you might be infertile, it’s important to get confirmation from a health care professional. That’s why we encourage females to schedule a blood test for infertility if they’ve been struggling to conceive for one year, or they have medical conditions that can interfere with their fertility. 

Fertility Cloud can provide you with blood tests as well as walk you through the proper steps after getting the results.
Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.

Are you concerned about your ability to get pregnant? Have you been struggling to conceive with your partner for a period of six months or longer? It’s possible that you are one of 17.5% of adults across the world who are struggling with infertility. Infertility affects people of all ages, classes and socioeconomic backgrounds. It occurs in men about as equally as it does in women. 

What are some of the top causes of infertility in women? 

These are just a few of the most well-known causes of infertility in women. If you have any of the following conditions, you may have a higher risk of difficulty getting pregnant: 

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Thyroid conditions.
• Endometriosis.

Sometimes, there is no clear reason for not being able to conceive, which is called unexplained infertility. Meeting with a specialist who can formally diagnose you is a good idea. From there, they can develop a specifically designed treatment plan to address any issues.

What are some of the most common signs of infertility in women?

Are you concerned that you may be experiencing infertility? Here are seven of the most common signs of infertility: 

• Irregular periods — A woman who experiences unpredictable, infrequent menstrual cycles or unusually heavy menstrual cycles has irregular periods. Excessive bleeding, dark period blood, pale period blood, severe cramping or prolonged menstrual cycles are also signs of irregular periods. If you experience any of these, you may have a higher risk of infertility.

• Changes in hormones — A common sign of infertility in a woman is a sudden or significant change in hormone levels. Unregulated hormonal conditions can contribute to infertility in some women. Suppose you notice significant changes in your hormone levels, like new or worsening acne, facial hair, and mood changes. In that case, you may want to speak with an experienced infertility specialist who can help. 

• Painful or uncomfortable sex — Experiencing pain or significant discomfort during sex is one possible sign of a condition that can cause infertility. Women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and certain infections and experience painful sex are more likely to struggle with infertility.

• Underlying conditions — Many women who struggle with infertility have underlying conditions. The most common conditions that can affect fertility have been listed in the sections above. These include PCOS, thyroid issues, endometriosis and unexplained fertility. While these are a few of the most common conditions that can make getting pregnant difficult, infertility is not exclusively linked to these conditions. 

• Being overweight — Research has found that women who are overweight typically have a harder time getting pregnant and are more likely to experience complications during their pregnancy. 

• Difficulty getting pregnant — One of the biggest signs of infertility is difficulty getting pregnant after a certain period of time. Experts generally recommend that women over the age of 35 who have unsuccessfully attempted to get pregnant for over a year should seek a specialist’s help. For women under the age of 35 who are trying to get pregnant, a specialist’s treatment is generally recommended after six months of unsuccessful attempts. 

• Several miscarriages — Another significant sign of infertility is if a woman has experienced more than one miscarriage. Miscarriages can be caused by a variety of factors but can generally signal issues with fertility. 

Find compassionate infertility treatment with Fertility Cloud

At Fertility Cloud, we value shared experiences. We want to help you navigate your struggles and celebrate your victories. Our team of experienced medical providers is dedicated to providing you with compassionate and professional care. Through every step of the way, we’ll do our very best to ensure your comfort and guide you through the fertility process.

At Fertility Cloud, everything is done remotely, from your communication with your doctor to your fertility tests. Appointments are conducted virtually via live videoconferencing. All you need is a computer, smartphone or tablet to join the call. 

We understand that finding convenient, high-quality medical care can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve selected some of the best reproductive endocrinology specialists. Each one of our doctors is board-certified and state licensed.

If you want more information on virtual infertility doctors and the process of getting remote infertility care, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are experienced in providing medical treatment to our patients so that they can start the families they have long dreamt of.
Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.

How to get pregnant with PCOS: 4 tips and treatments

Getting pregnant isn’t always an easy journey. For some people, they weren’t ready to start a family until after the woman is over 35 and has fewer eggs. Other people have had excessive exposure to chemicals or radiation that impacts their fertility. In some cases, a medical condition is what stands in the way of successful conception.  

It can be difficult to get pregnant with a condition like PCOS, but there are options that can help your fertility journey. Not only are there tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your everyday life, but there are treatments available to help you conceive. 

In this post, you’ll learn about the basics of PCOS as well as tips and treatments that can help people with PCOS get pregnant.  

Everything you need to know about PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, often referred to as PCOS, is a common hormonal disorder that affects up to 12% of U.S. women of childbearing age, which adds up to about 5 million people. Many people don’t even know they have it, as a study showed that up to 70% of women with PCOS haven’t received a diagnosis.

Even though an exact cause hasn’t been discovered, PCOS is believed to be caused by abnormal hormone secretions. Many women with PCOS have a high number of androgens and insulin. Androgens are sex hormones that can interfere with an egg being released during ovulation if their levels are too high. Insulin is a hormone that helps convert food into energy, and high insulin blood levels can be the result of insulin resistance.

Symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular or lack of menstrual periods.
• Cysts on the ovaries.
• Acne.
• Excessive hair growth.
• Weight gain.
• Infertility.
• Insulin resistance (which can lead to Type 2 diabetes).

4 tips to help you get pregnant with PCOS

While it may be true that up to 80% of women with PCOS have anovulatory infertility, there are a few tips and tricks that can increase your chances of conception. Tips for getting pregnant with PCOS are lifestyle changes that can help reduce the symptoms of the condition and boost the possibility of getting pregnant.

Here are four tips to help conceive with PCOS:

1. Lose weight — A healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise can go a long way in improving your PCOS. In fact, losing just 5% of your body weight can make a significant difference in the health problems that stem from PCOS. A low-carbohydrate diet is recommended for women with the hormonal disorder.

2. Balance blood sugar — Type 2 diabetes can interfere with fertility, and it’s common in women with PCOS due to the insulin resistance. You can balance your blood sugar levels with exercise and consuming plenty of healthy fats, protein and fiber. Your doctor may recommend medication to help your body properly use insulin.

3. Reduce stressors — Excessive stress can impact every aspect of your life, including your fertility. Not only can stress make it harder to conceive by interrupting ovulation, it can cause high levels of cortisol, which may increase your insulin level. Learning stress management techniques, such as meditation or therapy, can make a difference.

4. Track your period — Many women struggle to get pregnant as quickly as they would like because they aren’t sure when their menstruation or ovulation phases are. By determining when your body is most fertile (the day before and of ovulation), you can increase the chance of conception. 

4 treatment options for getting pregnant with PCOS

If you’re still struggling to conceive after testing out some of our tips, there’s still hope. There are several treatment options for women who have had infertility that comes from polycystic ovarian syndrome. Your fertility specialist will determine the best course of action to give you the highest chances of conceiving. 

Here are four infertility treatment options for women with PCOS:

1. Ovarian stimulation (OS) — It’s important to increase the amount of eggs released during your cycle when your PCOS causes irregular periods. Your fertility specialist will provide a prescription for oral tablets of clomiphene citrate or letrozole. These prescriptions will increase the amount of mature eggs that are released from the fallopian tube. Many pregnancies from these medicines happen within the first three months.

2. Metformin — For women with PCOS, a medication called metformin can offer many benefits. It’s mostly used as a way to treat Type 2 diabetes, but it can also lower your blood sugar and insulin levels. It can help treat infertility by stimulating ovulation, help regulate periods and reduce the risk of miscarriages.

3. Trigger shot — If OS doesn’t help you conceive after a few months, then your fertility specialist may recommend that you couple it with an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone helps to release multiple mature eggs during ovulation. To get the best timing, the shot will be administered during an ultrasound 24 to 36 hours before ovulation, which should coincide with intercourse.

4. In vitro fertilization — When the OS pills and trigger shots don’t seem to be working, your fertility specialist may recommend in vitro fertilization, or IVF. This process involves removing eggs from the ovaries and taking them to a lab to be fertilized by sperm. It involves multiple procedures, and it won’t be effective for everyone.

Fertility Cloud can help women with PCOS get pregnant

Infertility can be difficult, especially when it stems from a condition that already impacts your health, like PCOS. But the specialists at Fertility Cloud will do everything they can to fight against the effects of PCOS and help you on your journey to conceiving a child.
Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.