Infertility is a disease and can be defined as the failure to achieve a successful pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse or exposure to sperm. Although most couples can conceive naturally within a year of trying, infertility affects one in four couples. Factors contributing to infertility can be attributed as 1/3rd female factors, 1/3rd male factors and 1/3rd unknown or a combination of factors.
When should you seek help if you are struggling to conceive?
This question is partly dependant on the female partner’s age, as age influences fertility. Therefore, it is advised that you seek help from a fertility specialist if you are:
- younger than 35 and have been trying to fall pregnant for one year.
- older than 35 and have been trying to fall pregnant for six months.
How can a fertility specialist help you?
A fertility specialist is a gynaecologist with an additional qualification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. A fertility specialist addresses factors that could influence your fertility. This includes medical or surgical treatment for conditions affecting fertility, such as endometriosis. Furthermore, Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART), such as invitro fertilisation, can be used to achieve a pregnancy.
What to expect when I see a fertility specialist?
If you are struggling to conceive and you have made an appointment with a fertility specialist, you are taking a step in the right direction by consulting with an expert in the field. You might be wondering what to expect.
An initial consultation with one of our fertility specialists can take 30 – 60 min. Females will also undergo a transvaginal ultrasound scan, which forms part of examining the female reproductive organs. Male fertility can be evaluated through semen analysis. Semen analysis assesses sperm count and function. Your fertility specialist will determine which further testing is needed for female and male partners. All this information will assist your fertility specialist to make an accurate diagnosis, to present you with treatment options.
What can you bring?
- All related medical records
- A list of medication, vitamins, herbs or supplements you are taking
- A list of the questions you want to ask your fertility specialist
What is the cost of an initial consultation with an Aevitas' fertility specialist?
The cost for an in person consultation is R 2700 (2024 pricing) and includes an ultrasound scan.
Should you not be situated close to the clinic you have the option of starting with a teleconsultation, which can be performed telephonically or via platforms such as Zoom. Cost for an initial teleconsultation can range between R 930 - R 1200.
Based on the findings during the consultation, additional diagnostic tests might be requested, which will be a separate cost.