Talking to your doctor about OI

How can our doctor or fertility specialist help?

Your doctor, obstetrician/gynecologist, or fertility specialist can help you learn more about ovulation induction (OI) and determine whether OI is appropriate for you.

When should I talk to my doctor or fertility specialist?

It's better to seek treatment sooner rather than later. Don't wait too long before getting help! If you've been trying to conceive for more than 6 months (for female partners 35 and over) or more than 12 months (for female partners under 35), talk to your doctor about your fertility. When you talk to your doctor, he or she may decide to perform some tests on you and/or your partner and ask you to return for a follow-up appointment. At your next visit, your doctor may be in a position to tell you what your next steps may be.

If you think you may have an ovulation problem, talk to your doctor about whether you may benefit from ovulation induction (OI), a fertility treatment that helps you ovulate. Signs of an ovulation problem may include irregular or absent periods, or abnormal results on ovulation tests (such as ovulation predictor kids or basal body temperature charts). Certain health conditions also increase the risk of ovulation problems, including thyroid disorders and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Being very thin or very overweight can also affect ovulation.

What do I ask my doctor or fertility specialist?

You and your partner may be feeling excited but anxious about your doctor's visit, and you probably have a lot of questions. Keep in mind your doctor may want to do some initial tests before going into a detailed discussion with you regarding your fertility. Write down your questions and bring the list to your visit. Here are a few to get you started:

General fertility questions:

1. What do you think might be causing our fertility problem?
2. What tests will you do to diagnose the problem?
3. Will the tests be covered by our insurance?
4. What treatment options are available? Which one do you recommend and why?
5. Will my age affect my treatment options?
6. Will the treatment be covered by our insurance?

7. Other: ________________________________

8. Other: ________________________________

9. Other: ________________________________

Questions specific to OI:

1. What issues am I having with ovulation?
2. Which OI medication do you recommend to start with?
3. How does the medication work?
4. How do I take the medication, and when should I start?
5. How can I tell if I am ovulating on the treatment?
6. What are the chances of success? What can we do to maximize our success rate (e.g., proper timing of intercourse)?
7. What side effects should I watch for, and what should I do if they occur?

8. Other: ________________________________

9. Other: ________________________________

10. Other: ________________________________

Notes:

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Print these questions and bring them when you see your doctor. Bring a pen and paper to make notes and write down the answers to your questions. For more help in preparing for your doctor's visit, use the Doctor Discussion Guide.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Ovulation-Induction