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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for six months or longer, call your doctor. Depending on your age and personal health history, your doctor may recommend a medical evaluation.

A woman's gynecologist or a man's urologist or a family doctor can help determine whether there's a problem that requires a specialist or clinic that treats infertility problems. Both you and your partner will likely undergo a comprehensive infertility examination.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your first appointment, and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Write down details about your attempts to get pregnant. Your doctor will need information such as when you started trying to conceive and how often you have had intercourse, especially around the midpoint of your cycle.
  • Write down your key medical information, including any other conditions with which you or your partner has been diagnosed and any medications you're currently taking.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Prepare a list of questions so that you can make the most of your time with your doctor. For infertility, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What are the possible reasons we haven't yet conceived?
  • What kinds of tests do we need?
  • What treatment do you recommend trying first?
  • What side effects are associated with the treatment you're recommending?
  • What is the likelihood of conceiving multiple babies with the treatment you're recommending?
  • For how many cycles will we try this treatment?
  • If the first treatment doesn't work, what will you recommend trying next?
  • Are there any long-term complications associated with this or other infertility treatments?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask each of you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them will help your doctor quickly determine next steps in making your diagnosis and starting care.

Questions for the couple

  • How long have you been having sex without birth control?
  • How long have you been actively trying to get pregnant?
  • How frequently do you have intercourse?
  • Do you use any lubricants during sex?
  • Do either of you smoke?
  • Have either of you been treated for any other medical conditions, including sexually transmitted infections?
  • How much does stress play a role in your lives?
  • How satisfied are you with your relationship?

Questions for the woman

  • At what age did you start menstruating?
  • What are your cycles typically like? How regular, long and heavy?
  • Have you ever been pregnant before?
  • Have you ever been evaluated for infertility in the past?
  • Have you been charting when you ovulate? For how many cycles?
  • Have you been treated for any other medical conditions?
  • Are you currently taking any medications, including dietary supplements or anabolic steroids?
  • Do you use alcohol or recreational drugs? How often?
  • What is your typical daily diet? Does it include caffeine?
  • Do you exercise regularly? How much?
  • Has your body weight recently changed?

Questions for the man

  • At what age did you start puberty?
  • Have you had any sexual problems in this relationship, including difficulty maintaining an erection, ejaculating too soon or not being able to ejaculate?
  • Do you use recreational drugs, including marijuana? How often?
  • Are you exposed through your work or lifestyle habits to chemicals, pesticides, radiation or lead?
  • Are you currently taking any medications, including dietary supplements or anabolic steroids?
  • Do you regularly take hot baths or steam baths?
  • Have you conceived a child with any previous partners?
Tests and diagnosis Risk factors
References
  1. Infertility. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/infertility.cfm. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  2. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  3. Infertility. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec22/ch254/ch254a.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  4. Swerdloff RS, et al. Causes of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  5. Kuohung W, et al. Causes of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  6. Lobo RA. Infertility: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1524/0.html. Accessed May 13, 2011.
  7. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of treatment of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  8. Evans MI, et al. Screening and testing in multiples. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. 2010;30:643.
  9. Pauli SA, et al. Current status of the approach to assisted reproduction. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:467.
  10. Zoorob RJ, et al. Women's health: Selected topics. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2010;37:367.
  11. Peck JD, et al. A review of the epidemiologic evidence concerning the reproductive health effects of caffeine consumption: A 2000-2009 update. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2010;48:2549.
  12. Boivin J, et al. Emotional distress in infertile women and failure of assisted reproductive technologies: Meta-analysis of prospective psychosocial studies. British Medical Journal. 2011;342d:223.
  13. Uterine fibroids: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/uterine-fibroids.cfm. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  14. Hornstein MD, et al. Optimizing natural fertility in couples planning pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  15. Fauser BC. Overview of ovulation induction. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  16. Wilkins KM, et al. Depressive symptoms related to infertility and infertility treatments. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2010:33;309.
  17. Coddington CC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 3, 2011.
DS00310 Sept. 9, 2011

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