Lesson
3: Your Doctor, Your Options
In
this Lesson, we will explore the differences between an OB/GYN and
an RE and when you should switch to an RE. We will also discuss
one low-tech option, Clomid, and get an overview of endometriosis,
PCOS, and what a semen analysis is.
Overview
of Lesson
After looking at lifestyle issues and the basic
blood tests in the previous Lesson, now is the time to look at your
doctor and delve a little deeper into two possible causes of infertility.
We will also look at one low-tech treatment option, and discuss
just what a semen analysis is.
If you pick up your local phone book, and turn to
the listing for physicians in the yellow pages, you will see a wide
variety of doctors. For this course, we are only concerned with
two specialties, OB/GYNs and REs. In the next two sections, we will
learn what they are, and then we will follow that up with learning
when you should switch from an OB/GYN to an RE.
When to switch is never a clear cut or easy choice
to make. However, this section should give you an idea about how
to weigh your needs against what your OB/GYN can offer you. Sometimes,
it is the doctor that refers you to an RE, but you should not wait
for this to happen in many cases.
In section 4, we will discuss in greater detail
ovulation and introduce ourselves to the drug Clomid. This is one
of the first low-tech options that most doctors turn to when a couple
has not conceived. This is not always the best option, and this
will be discussed further, along with the possible side effects
of Clomid.
Endometriosis and PCOS have been mentioned already
in this course, but in sections 5 and 6, we will take a closer look
at them. This will be an overview of each condition and the common
treatments used to control them.
In
section 7 we will learn what a Semen Analysis is, what is normal
and sub-normal, and what the man should and should not do before
a scheduled SA.
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