Are you thinking about having children in the future? Well, it is never too early to start a conversation with your doctor about your reproductive health. Unfortunately, a lot of women don’t even approach the subject of their fertility with their doctor until they start trying to get pregnant and find that they are having difficulty.
If you are between age 20-40 and your doctor does not raise the subject, then you should. Whether you’re ready for pregnancy now or are just keeping your options open for the future, there are questions that you should be asking now.
Ask your doctor to test your ovarian reserve. Women are born with about one million eggs in the ovaries, and from that point on egg supply is slowly dwindling down. This process speeds up in the mid- to late- 30s, which makes getting pregnant more challenging with age. A simple blood test to check your Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) level can provide information about your current egg reserve. As a woman’s egg supply declines, so does her AMH level. The AMH test is a routine lab, which can be completed by most standard laboratories.
Ask your doctor to check you for fibroids. African American women are affected by fibroids more than women from any other ethnic group, so chances are you may have them. It’s not only size, but location of fibroids that makes them a threat to fertility. If you have been diagnosed with fibroids, you should have periodic monitoring of your fibroids with a pelvic exam and ultrasound to be sure that they are not impacting your fertility. If you have surgery for your fibroids, you should ask your doctor how that surgery will affect your future fertility.
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Have an honest conversation with your doctor about your weight and lifestyle. The obesity epidemic, stemming from poor diet and lack of exercise, is particularly evident in the African American community. If you are overweight, you are at greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancers. You may also have more difficulty conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy. At your annual exam, talk with your doctor about your body mass index (BMI) and ways to keep it in a healthy range.
There are several things that you can do to protect your reproductive health. You should get annual gynecologic exams and practice safe sex techniques to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Don’t smoke cigarettes and avoid second hand smoke, because both can lower your fertility. Lastly, incorporate a healthy diet and regular exercise into your daily routine.
So are you ready to be a conversation starter? There’s no time like the present to talk about your reproductive health.
Dr. Desiree McCarthy-Keith M.P.H. and MD is a female Obstetrician & Gynecologist, has 11 years of experience and practices in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. For more information, visit www.ivf.com.
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