Hi ladies,
Please excuse my ignorance in this post. Can someone please explain to me what defines infertility? Is it when a doctor said you have PCOS or something else? Is it when you've been trying for a certain amount of time?
I hope I'm not offending anyone, I would just like to learn at this point.
Thanks..
grapefruit / 4703 posts
I believe officially it's if you've been trying for 12 months with no luck OR if you have a diagnosis.
pear / 1786 posts
Typically with insurance you also qualify for infertility treatment if you are 35 or older & have been trying for 6 months or more with no success.
pear / 1786 posts
Whether you meet a 'definition' or not, if you have questions, feel free to ask!
pomelo / 5228 posts
I'll add one more definition here... 3 or more miscarriages (with no pregnancies in between). It is slowly moving to 2, luckily.
pomelo / 5093 posts
I consider myself infertile. I conceived on four rounds of clomid, but have been unable to conceive again. I've been trying for 15 months, this time.
grapefruit / 4311 posts
I have another question to add to this... If you try for 12 months without a successful pregnancy, but without multiple miscarriages (one), is that considered infertility?
ETA: also do you count months or cycles if you have long cycles?
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
@runnerd: I'm not sure. But if I think you've been trying long enough that it would be reasonable to talk to your doctor if you want to.
persimmon / 1420 posts
I'm curious, too- if you were previously considered infertile, but after medical interventions were able to become pregnant and carry it to term, are you still infertile?
pomegranate / 3438 posts
I think there are variables and it depends on your situation. Most define it as 1 year of trying if under 35 or 6 months if over 35. There doesn't have to be a diagnosis. Something like 1/3 of all couples struggling with infertility fall into the unexplained category. I've seen 2 different RE's, one said I have pcos and the other said I didn't.
If you have questions or are concerned about your fertility definitely talk to your doctor. And if they try to brush you off (as my first RE did, because I was "young") be persistent. Switch if you have to and are able to.
pomelo / 5228 posts
I think the problem is with labeling a person 'infertile'. Its such a finite term. Just because you struggle with infertility, doesn't mean you will never have a child or carry a baby. I struggle with infertility, but I don't label myself as 'infertile' because I don't believe its true. I believe my other conditions cause fertility challenges. I hope that makes sense!
Also, I think the only reason there is any sort of definition is for insurance purposes...
bananas / 9229 posts
@Mrs.Someone: I agree about the insurance purpose...
If we hit the one year mark (which is fast approaching...), I don't think I would be able to "define" our situation or myself as infertile. Simply that it's taking some time. But that's just me.
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@LinsdayInNY I feel the same way. Right now we are fertility-challenged and getting over the speed bumps.
eggplant / 11408 posts
@Mrs.Someone: I agree with this. It also hurts like heck. I really had a hard time seeing the infertility diagnosis on my chart the first time. I was also super confused, because it was labeled as secondary infertility, even though I didn't have any living children. Come to find out, secondary just means you can get pregnant, not that you carry to term. So, with my two losses, I had secondary. Turns out, you can get an IF diagnosis within three months od starting TTC. Who knew?
I'm pregnant now, which is such a joy! But I also know that it doesn't necessarily mean I won't struggle with secondary IF in the future. The boundaries are a lot more fluid than they appear, I think. I tend to think that people struggle with infertility, not that people are infertile. It is a medical condition, not an absolute judgement on your future ability to have a child.
pomegranate / 3388 posts
So here's another question... if the infertility issue is attributed to the man, does the woman who is trying to conceive with him also get the infertility label? That seems unfair somehow...
bananas / 9229 posts
@skibobrown: I see where you're coming from... My personal opinion is that DH and I are in this together. If the label attaches to one of us, for whatever reason, it attaches to both of us...
eggplant / 11408 posts
@skibobrown: @LindsayInNY: that's why I think it's easier to just say "struggle with infertility" or something of the like. Because that way, you are doing it together. Not one person is "infertile."
pomegranate / 3388 posts
@LindsayInNY: Oh, I definitely get your perspective too. I was more curious about the medical perspective. Do doctors see infertility as belonging to a couple? ...or is it a medical diagnosis for one member of the couple or the other (or both) depending on the circumstances?
I agree that the label "infertile" sounds so black and white.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
@skibobrown: my DH and I are dealing with male factor IF. Whenever we're talking about it I typically say we have infertility issues. I don't like to single him out and make him feel anymore guilty than he already does.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
@skibobrown: at my RE's office I'm considered the patient even though I have no issues since I will be the one getting pregnant.
bananas / 9229 posts
@skibobrown: For the doctor, I wonder if there's a specific term for it... The same way they use "secondary infertility" if you've had a m/c. Something similar to indicate whether the diagnosis or whatever comes from the male or female?
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
From the RESOLVE website: http://www.resolve.org/infertility-overview/what-is-infertility/
It says. "Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive. If you are over the age of 35, the time of trying to conceive is reduced to 6 months. It is important to see a specialist, or a Reproductive Endocrinologist, or in some cases your OB/Gyn or urologist for a complete fertility work-up and diagnosis."
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@runnerd: I have been trying for 15 months and have not had any miscarriages... actually I haven't seen a BFP, yet, and I feel as though I can say I have IF. I do feel as though I might be a 'tad' more infertile than others who have had m/c. At least, they can sustain a pregnancy, well for a short period. 
I have no idea if my body can support a pregnancy because I haven't seen a 
test. I'm staying hopeful, though. It might be other reasons.
For me, I'm fine with saying I am 'infertile.' But that's just when I say it... to myself. I think it would hurt if someone said it to me. Guess it's different when someone uses the word infertility versus infertile.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@skibobrown: I guess it depends on the diagnosis. If there is a known issue like PCOS, doctors could narrow it down. But for me, my dr has labeled our infertility as 'unknown'. It could be one of us, it could be both of us. None of the tests we've done has given us a reason.
Also, for male infertility, there can be things that can be done to help their issue. Like IUIs are suppose to help with that. Prior to going to a fertility clinic, my DH and I had inklings that it might be due to him and his previous medical issues. We had 4 IUIs done and with Femera and all of that was suppose to help with getting pregnant. They have been unsucessful... so now I'm wondering if it's also me.
bananas / 9899 posts
How would you define someone who does not yet have a diagnosis and has been trying less than a year, but also doesn't ovulate/get a period without medical intervention?
I'm currently getting a whole battery of tests done with my RE, but don't have any results yet.
pomelo / 5228 posts
@pui: Pissed off? 
Just kidding. I don't know a good answer, but remember a definition is really just for insurance purposes. If you feel that you have IF, then run with it.
bananas / 9899 posts
@Mrs.Someone: I don't really know how I identify myself... I don't fit in with the regular POASers, but I also don't know if I really count as IF either... I think after all these tests are done and I get my results I'll have a clearer picture.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@pui: You could still possibly qualify for IF assistance under the 12 month rule. I was referred to an RE after 8 months of trying. Ask your doctor. If they recommend you (AKA referral), your insurance might cover it versus seeing a RE on your own. Maybe? (At least, that's what I thought.)
There is clearly an issue if you don't get periods/ovulate so I would see a dr about it. They might code it as IF or some other diagnosis.
bananas / 9899 posts
@bluestriped bee: I was referred to an RE by my doctor a few months ago (it took a couple months before I finally got an appointment with him). I'm not so much worried about insurance. I'm in Canada and so far all but one test has been covered. Clomid isn't covered and I'm pretty sure IUIs and IVF are not covered either, but I'm still in the diagnosis stage with my RE anyway, so I'm not sure what treatment will be yet.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@pui: Oh, you're in Canada. Yeah, I have no idea. I'm in the US.
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