When treating infertility, tend to more than just the physical

Commentary. By Alicia Aebersold, AMNews contributor. Oct. 21, 2002.

My husband and I have spent the past five years navigating the fertility maze -- struggling through the ins and outs of trying to conceive a child. After hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars spent in doctors' offices on exams, tests and procedures, we are now counting down the weeks to the birth of our first child.

Clearly, modern medicine was integral to our reaching this point. But it caused heartaches along the way, too. In general, the most positive experiences we had -- even when the outcomes were not what we hoped -- were those in which the physicians and their staffs related to us not only as hosts of reproductive organs, but as people in pain, tending to not just the physical diagnosis and treatment but also the emotional issues.

Here are some examples of things that can make a big difference.

Consider fertility assessment as part of regular health care -- for women and men. Amid all the publicity about whether women and their doctors should routinely discuss fertility, little attention is focused on men's fertility until a problem arises. Yet initial testing for men is simpler, cheaper and much less invasive. Our specialist immediately deduced from a physical exam alone that my husband's fertility might be compromised. His primary care physician noted the same symptom years before, but never mentioned it. A quick sperm count in those early days would have saved us two years of sleuthing.

Freely offer information about noninvasive options. Even before the magical "one year of trying" is complete, doctors can suggest that couples monitor body temperature, use ovulation predictor kits and time intercourse accordingly. They can also consider ordering easy tests. Discovering that blood hormone levels or sperm counts are problematic is invaluable early information for both the physician and patient in moving forward. [...]