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infertility awareness week

Infertility

Let’s Talk about Infertility

infertilitygraphicIf you’ve been trying – unsuccessfully – to get pregnant, it’s important to know that
you’re not alone. Infertility affects 7.3 million people in the U.S. This represents 12%
of women of childbearing age, or 1 in 8 couples.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected
intercourse (six months if the woman is over age 35) or the inability to carry a
pregnancy to live birth.

But the good news is that today, there’s a wide array of options for women and their
partners who want to have a baby. And during National Infertility Awareness Week
(NIAW) – April 20 – 26, 2014 – we’d like to take the opportunity to encourage you
and your partner to understand your reproductive health, and get the help you need
to build your family.

There is so much important information worth sharing when it comes to infertility,
which is why NIAW is urging people to “Resolve to know more” about such things
as:
• When to see a fertility specialist
• All your family-building options
• The latest treatment options
• Adoption
• The causes of infertility

Here at Women’s Health of Central Massachusetts, our physicians can provide initial
infertility evaluations to help identify the reason(s) why you’re not getting pregnant.
With our expertise in minimally invasive surgery, we also can perform many
procedures that help to resolve conception difficulties (such as endometriosis or
fibroids, for example). And, if necessary, we can refer you and your partner to the
appropriate fertility specialists for more advanced care.

It might be reassuring to know that approximately 85% to 90% of infertility cases
are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures. Fewer than 3% need
advanced reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

So if you’re having difficulty conceiving, let’s talk about it. It’s an important first step
toward finding a solution. And we’re here to help – every week of the year.