Ep 307: When Do I Need to See a Fertility Doctor?

Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. This episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored tackles one of the most common fertility questions patients ask: When should I seek care for infertility? We answer key questions including: When do I need to see a reproductive endocrinologist? In general, patients under 35 should seek fertility care after one year of unprotected intercourse without conception, while patients age 35 and older should seek care after six months. What conditions should prompt earlier evaluation by a fertility specialist? These include irregular menstrual cycles, blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, such as low sperm count, and medical conditions like autoimmune disease or endometriosis, all of which may have an impact on infertility. We also discuss when to see a fertility doctor if additional factors are involved, such as the need for donor eggs, donor sperm, or a gestational carrier. These situations vary in complexity, with gestational carrier arrangements typically requiring earlier and more specialized planning, while donor eggs or sperm may be more straightforward. This episode helps patients understand when waiting is reasonable—and when seeing a fertility specialist sooner rather than later can make a critical difference.