Infertility can feel like the antithesis of control, but I want to tell you that you are in control more than you think. Looking back now, I can see the number of choices, options, and decisions my husband and I were able to make. At the time, it felt like a whirlwind and that I had anything but control; it was overwhelming, horrific at times, and absolutely scary, the unknown.
Every time you sit down with your doctor, every day you track of your cycle, every treatment you decide to learn more about, move ahead with, or not – these are all your decisions. I thought this was important to point out – I’ve been where you are and it feels awful. However, you will be more in tune and in control of your body than ever before. For all the blogs and message boards I read, I wish someone mentioned it – I’m not saying at the time I would have believed them, and maybe now I can only see this because my treatment worked. I’m not an expert, just a warrior – like you. Don’t you forget the strength you already have or let anyone else tell you otherwise.
I give a brief overview of some of the more common treatments for infertility, but as always, please remember to discuss options with you doctor to help determine what is best for you and your partner. I also encourage you to do research yourself – look for reliable sources, like Resolve, Mayo Clinic, and WebMD. Sites associated with medical organizations, societies, and peer-review research are often full of useful and updated information.
Pre-treatment tests – Getting a baseline with bloodwork and diagnostic testing
Soft treatments – I consider hormone therapy the “soft treatments” – although the needles are anything but that! Read on to learn about Clomid, progesterone, and other therapy options.
Hard treatments – Intrauterine Insemination and Invitro-Fertilization. When hormone therapy doesn’t work, you may find yourself looking at more intense treatment options along, coupled with a complex mix of hormone injections and tracking.