Infertility diagnosis and advanced maternal age
Infertility diagnosis takes place if a woman has not become pregnant after having sexual relations without contraceptive methods.
However, if she is 35 years old or more, the evaluation should start after trying unsuccessfully to conceive for six month.
Diagnosis
Women without a partner or with a same-sex partner can not be diagnosed in terms of infertility for this casuistry, having to resort to the aforementioned diagnosis tests such as FSH, anti-mullerian hormone.
- If a couple has an evident medical problem that affects their capacity to conceive such as lack of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), history of pelvic disease or previous surgeries, must immediately start the evaluation of infertility.
- Fertility tests can include ovulation detection and the evaluation of fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus. The majority of tests are performed in 40 days and the appropriate treatment can be started immediately after the diagnosis is completed.
- Women suffering health disorders, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their gynaecologist before trying to become pregnant. It is important to keep health problems in check.
Regarding women in advanced age presenting certain health problem, the gynaecologist may change patterns in their medication, even suggesting the parallel observation of a doctor from general medicine or other specialty before pregnancy as there is a higher risk. - CCertain conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, are developed with higher frequency among women who conceive after age 35. A monitoring and performance of special tests during pregnancy may be recommended.
- Counselling before conceptions is beneficial. Children born to women older than 35 have a higher risk of suffering chromosomal problems.
- Women can consult these risks with their gynaecologists or with a genetic consultant before trying to become pregnant. Prenatal tests can also be performed after conception to check if there are certain congenital alterations.
- Amniocentesis, the analysis of choroidal villi and the prenatal analysis of maternal blood are 3 methods of prenatal tests.
- Ultrasound scan can also be employed to detect certain congenital problems. A large number of parents want to know as much as possible about pregnancy to make informed decisions.