WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 2002: Re: Course of action for woman with family history of fertility issues

Re: Course of action for woman with family history of fertility issues

From: William McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 30 Apr 2002 21:32:36 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Anon: "Re: Course of action for woman with family history of fertility issues"

At Tue, 30 Apr 2002, Anon wrote: >
>At Tue, 30 Apr 2002, KTP wrote:
>
>>KTP,
>
>>From the patient perspective: I brought the issue up myself with my then
>gynecologist when I was about 30- he had not mentioned it in my prior
>annual exams. His quaint reply was " The proof is in the pudding". In
>other words he told me to try to conceive for a year, and if not, he
>would begin testing, etc. He also felt time was on my side. I waited
>until 32, and luckily conceived in 4 months. Remember also that men
>have fertility problems so even if you start in your twenties it could
>be an issue. For females there may be specific fertility problems not
>related to age, but I do not have knowledge in that area.
>
>>I know that recently, I've been hearing a lot in the news about how
>>doctors are now recommending that women try to have their first child
>>earlier (since the age seems to keep creeping up into the late 30's and
>>early 40's). I know that in my family, we've had fertility issues with
>>people getting pregnant, staying pregnant, and having healthy full-term
>>kids. Therefore, I know that I need to be aiming at my mid to late
>>twenties to have a first child.
>>
>>However, I have never heard anything about this from my doctor. I have
>>a few friends in their late 30's or early 40's who are trying to get
>>pregnant - but low and behold, they've already entered an early
>>menopause.
>>
>>Doctors: Do you talk with your patients about their fertility and its
>>possible "expiration date?" What course of action do you recommend for
>>women who tell you they have a familiy history of fertility problems?
>>
>>Patients: Have your doctors talked with you about your fertility?

I make a point of having a conversation about pregnancy and declining fertility with all of my patients around age 30, particularly if they have never had a living child. I generally have no idea about a particular woman's "expiration date", but I do talk about population averages, and the limits of medical science.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG

This is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for consultation and examination by a licensed medical professional.

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