EDUCATION

Talking to Your Doctor About Infertility in Women

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
En Español (Spanish Version)
Main Page
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Screening
Reducing Your Risk
Talking to Your Doctor
Living With Infertility
Resource Guide

You have your own health history. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and background with infertility. By talking openly and often with your doctor, you can take an active role in your care.

Tips for Getting Information

Here are some tips that will make it easier to talk to your doctor:

  • Bring someone with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask. They may also be able to give more details.
  • Write down your questions so do you do not forget them.
  • Write down the answers you get and make sure you understand what you are hearing.
  • Ask for help if you need it. Do not be afraid to ask questions or ask where you can find more information. You have a right to know.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

About Your Risk

  • Am I at risk based on my history?
  • Am I taking any medicine that puts me at risk?
  • How do I best prevent this health problem?

About Treatment Options

  • How do I best treat this?
  • What medicines can help?
    • What are the benefits and side effects?
    • Will these medicines cause problems with over the counter products, dietary or herbal supplements, or other medicines I take?
    • Can I use assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as IVF?
  • About Assisted Reproductive Technologies
    • What are the success rates?
    • Can I use my own eggs?
    • Will my insurance cover it?

About Lifestyle Changes

  • Do I need to gain or lose weight?
  • Do I need to stay away from tobacco and alcohol?
  • When is the best time in my cycle to try to conceive?
REFERENCES:

Evaluating infertility. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/evaluating-infertility. Accessed November 17, 2021.

Infertility in women. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/infertility-in-women. Accessed November 11, 2021.

Overview of infertility. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/infertility/overview-of-infertility. Accessed November 17, 2021.

Tips for talking to your doctor. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/healthcare-management/working-with-your-doctor/tips-for-talking-to-your-doctor.html. Accessed November 18, 2021.

Treating infertility. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/treating-infertility. Accessed November 11, 2021.

Last reviewed November 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mary-Beth Seymour, RN  Last Updated: 11/18/2021