2016 The Year to Take Active Role in Fertility for Many Families

Jan. 5, 2016 - PRLog -- For many families, 2016 will be the year to start a family.   They can begin this journey, if struggling, by scheduling a consult with a reproductive endocrinologist and a having an infertility evaluation.   Dr. Stephanie Singleton of The Fertility Center of Charleston suggests that couples make 2016 the year families take an active role in fertility.

Armed with the information that a comprehensive fertility evaluation and consultation can provide, patients can take an active role in their future family growth. Removing the mystery of infertility is an empowering first step. The Fertility Center of Charleston encourages patients to stop waiting and start advocating for fertility health.

An estimated 7.3 million women in the U.S. struggle with infertility. For many couples, a fertility evaluation completed by a reproductive endocrinologist can set them on course to a successful pregnancy. Waiting only postpones resolving the impediments that stand in the way of parenthood. "Limited awareness about evaluation and treatment options can keep many women from receiving the care that they need," says Dr. Stephanie Singleton.

“Advances in infertility treatments allow us to help make our patient’s dreams of parenthood a reality. Financial programs, medication savings, and a keen look at insurance offerings make advanced infertility services possible for everyone. Even so, that first step of making the consultation appointment lies in the hands of the patient,” says Dr. Singleton.

Age is a critical factor for fertility. Overcoming barriers to seeking fertility earlier can improve a patient’s pregnancy success rate. Women are most fertile in their 20’s. However, today’s woman often isn’t ready to consider children until later. Even though more women are waiting to start families, the female body remains tied to a younger biological clock. It is often a surprise for women beginning families later in life to not achieve pregnancy easily and quickly.

For women in their late 30’s and early 40’s, In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most successful form of fertility treatment and donor eggs may be required. Many OB/Gyn providers encourage patients to try to conceive on their own for up to a year or two before making a fertility specialist referral. This time frame may not take into account important factors such as age.

Another important factor to consider is that the patient is in the driver's seat when choosing a fertility specialist. The Fertility Center of Charleston provides complimentary second opinions to facilitate good “patient fit” research. Check credentials, such as board certification. Specifically, your fertility specialist of choice should be board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). Dr. Stephanie Singleton remains the only board certified female reproductive endocrinologist in the Charleston and surrounding area.

Each patient should move at their preferred pace. Neither a consultation nor an evaluation commits patients to a treatment plan. A comprehensive female and male fertility evaluation provides patient’s invaluable information to make a decision regarding the need for fertility treatment.

At The Fertility Center of Charleston, Dr. Stephanie Singleton and her staff compassionately guide each patient to parenthood using the latest advanced reproductive technologies including IVF (http://www.fertilitycharleston.com/our-services/in-vitro-...). The Fertility Center of Charleston has locations in Mt. Pleasant (http://www.fertilitycharleston.com/contact-us/mt-pleasant/) &Savannah (http://www.fertilitycharleston.com/contact-us/savannah/).