When Should I See a Doctor for Infertility Treatment?

Infertility treatment includes all medical and assisted reproductive methods aimed at helping couples achieve pregnancy. Although insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are among the most well-known options, different treatment methods may be recommended depending on the underlying cause of infertility. In order to determine the most appropriate treatment for a couple, an accurate and detailed infertility diagnosis must first be made.

During this evaluation process, the following criteria are generally considered:

• If the female partner is under the age of 35 and pregnancy does not occur despite at least one year of regular, unprotected intercourse, a specialist should be consulted.
• Even if the female partner is under 35, if there are known conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or other medical issues, a doctor should be consulted as soon as pregnancy is planned, without waiting one year.
• If the female partner is over the age of 35 and there is no known medical condition, an evaluation is recommended if pregnancy does not occur after six months of regular, unprotected intercourse.
• If the female partner is over 35 and has additional health problems, it is advised to consult a specialist immediately once the decision to have a child is made.

What Are the Symptoms of Infertility?

Since infertility can be caused by many different medical conditions, it may not present with the same symptoms in every couple. For this reason, infertility does not have specific, clear, or standardized symptoms. The most obvious and definitive sign is the inability to achieve pregnancy despite regular and unprotected intercourse.

However, some indirect signs may be observed in women and men that could indicate infertility. In women, menstrual irregularities, spotting between periods, severe menstrual pain, and ovarian cysts may be present; in men, symptoms such as discharge, swelling, or pain in the testicles may point to an underlying condition related to infertility.

These symptoms alone are not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis. Accurate evaluation and diagnosis must always be performed by a qualified specialist.

How Is Infertility Diagnosed?

When couples seek medical advice for infertility, both the woman and the man are evaluated in detail. The assessment of infertility causes in women is generally more comprehensive and involves multiple stages compared to men.

For this reason, semen analysis is often the first test requested from the male partner. At the same time, the female partner’s uterine structure, fallopian tubes, ovarian reserve, and hormonal status are assessed using various tests and imaging techniques.

By evaluating the semen analysis together with the test results of the female partner, the cause of infertility is identified and the most appropriate treatment plan is created for the couple.

How Is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Performed?

In vitro fertilization is a structured treatment process consisting of several stages. In the first stage, the ovaries are stimulated with medications to produce multiple eggs. Egg development is closely monitored through regular ultrasound examinations and hormone tests.

Once the eggs reach adequate maturity, they are collected through a short and simple procedure. On the same day, a sperm sample is obtained from the male partner. In the laboratory, the eggs and sperm are evaluated, the highest-quality cells are selected, and fertilization is performed.

After fertilization, embryos are formed and their development is carefully monitored. The highest-quality embryos are selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus. Approximately two weeks after the transfer, a pregnancy test is carried out to assess the success of the treatment.

Today, in vitro fertilization is considered one of the most successful assisted reproductive methods in the treatment of infertility.