A reproductive health center is a facility that is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing infertility find relief. This may be a troubling condition for many experiencing it, making counseling important along with the treatment process. Many reproductive centers now offer stress relief treatments and exercises as well as counseling services along with the fertility treatments and procedures that are normally available at many clinics.
When you first seek consultation at a reproductive health center after experiencing infertility, you will likely be asked several questions regarding your health and medical history, as well as personal questions about your attempts at conception. Be open with the fertility specialist and make sure you find one with whom you feel comfortable discussing these matters. Keep in mind also that these specialists deal with these issues every day and understand patients’ reluctance or hesitation to discuss personal matters.
In many cases, tests may be performed in an attempt to pinpoint the problem so that a solution may be worked out. Ask your specialist about the different tests being performed to help you understand the process. Diagnostic tests such as semen analysis, ultrasounds and cycle monitoring may be used to help determine the cause of infertility for many individuals and couples. Clinics may also investigate the possible causes of recurrent pregnancy loss if this is an issue. If the tests reveal the cause of the infertility, the specialist may recommend various treatment or procedure options and explore these options with the couple or individual.
Some of the more common fertility treatments available at many reproductive health centers include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). In vitro fertilization involves the combination of sperm and eggs in a dish in a laboratory to create embryos, which are then transferred to the uterus where they may implant in the uterine wall and develop. Intrauterine insemination involves the direct injection of sperm into the uterus where it may fertilize the egg to create an embryo, which may then implant in the uterine lining and develop.
A variety of treatments and procedures may be available to treat various possible causes of infertility. These include endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), among many others. Male infertility may also be treated at many clinics. To help patients through what can be a difficult time, many clinics now offer counseling or stress-relieving exercises such as yoga or fertility massage to help patients relax and manage their stress.