What to Know When
You're Considering a
Fertility Specialist

There’s no such thing as a “typical fertility journey”—everyone’s experience is unique! But there are a few guidelines you can follow to help you along the road to parenthood. We went to the experts at Spring Fertility to consult with Dr. Angie Wang about fertility timelines, care and treatment, and how to deal when you and your partner just don’t seem to be on the same page.

Q: What is the timeline of a "typical fertility journey," if there is such a thing? What does the process look like once you've begun to seek fertility care from a doctor?

The timeline of a fertility journey really varies so much by individual and depends on the patient's age, duration/cause of infertility, ovarian reserve, and family building goals. In some cases, patients may not be recommended for any treatments, while in other cases they may be recommended directly for IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) or IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), depending on the factors at play. These treatments may also not be successful on the first try, so it may necessitate multiple cycles, in some situations. The best thing to do is to find a fertility doctor who works with you as a partner to design the best plan based on both your goals and the existing evidence, and is willing to support you through the journey. We usually tell patients to take it one step at a time, and always discuss the overall plan after each treatment cycle. Sometimes it can be a marathon, and sometimes it can be a sprint—we will usually have a sense upfront, but it may be different than we expect, which is why working with a clinic and doctor you trust with your care is so important.

Q: What is the ideal time to begin exploring fertility options?

The guidelines for infertility evaluation are usually after 6 months of trying for women 35 and older, or 12 months for patients under 35, or as soon as possible for a known issue (such as irregular cycles, genetic disorder, low sperm count).

Q: When and how should you begin initiating conversations with partners about fertility testing?

Male factor infertility contributes to 30-50% of all fertility cases, so in cis-het relationships, it is good for partners to be aware of this. However, fertility doctors are happy to discuss recommendations in more detail for fertility testing for partners, and some partners are very aware of the need for testing and some are not. We are happy to meet them wherever they are, and discuss options and rationale for testing partners.

Q: Do you have guidance around navigating fertility conversations with a partner who seems resistant to testing or treatment?

I would emphasize the shared goals as a couple, and that both partners are being evaluated. In cases where the couple is cisgender and heterosexual, the female partner may be subject to suboptimal treatment if a male evaluation is not completed. Bringing a partner to an initial fertility consult can also be very helpful—they can hear these recommendations directly from a doctor. The male evaluation is needed to optimize and, in some cases, even proceed with fertility treatment. However, sometimes these discussions take time and that is okay too, though the older the patient is, the better it is to expedite fertility evaluation.

Q: When should you schedule an in-person consultation with a fertility expert?

We really welcome patients to come discuss fertility options with us anytime in their journey, since we prefer to be more proactive in terms of determining a plan and troubleshooting issues. We also welcome patients with fertility preservation questions to discuss as soon as possible, since younger patients will have better outcomes.

Looking for fertility care? Check out Wisp’s Fertility testing and treatment options, available online with FREE delivery. Ready to take the next step? Dr. Angie Wang along with the other experts at Spring Fertility have your back. Consult with experts and explore care, including IVF, egg freezing, sperm donation, and more.

Shop Fertility Care