Fertility Services

Welcome to FSMG.

Treatment Guide to a New Beginning:

This provides you with an overview of our program including our TEAM, how to get started, and the various treatment options that are available to you in overcoming your infertility.

Initial Consult

Fertility concerns are best resolved when in consultation with both partners, so it is recommended that both you and your partner/spouse attend the initial consultation. You will meet with one of our physicians and a financial counselor. At these meetings you will be: supplied with a wealth of information; there will be plenty of opportunity to have all your questions answered and medical testing may be scheduled. The initial consultation typically takes between 1.5 - 2 hours depending upon your clinical circumstance. Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive and individualized assessment to assist you in obtaining your reproductive goals.

Medical Records

A significant part of the initial consult is reviewing your previous medical records. We must have your records prior to your first appointment. Remember-it can take several weeks to obtain records, therefore, we recommend that you keep a copy of your pertinent records for yourself. We have enclosed a medical release form to aid you in obtaining records from your previous doctor's office. You must submit separate requests for male and female records. Please feel free to telephone our office one (1) week prior to your appointment to verify that we have received your medical records.

Payment

The majority of patients have some insurance coverage for consultations, initial testing, laboratory fees and for and infertility diagnosis. It is your responsibility to know what your insurance does or does not cover and ultimately you are financially responsible for all charges. Our staff will assist you in verifying your benefits and will file insurance claims for covered charges to HMO/PPO plans with which we are contracted providers. Please provide a copy of your benefit book to us at your first visit. Request that any information you receive from an insurance company be in writing and always keep a record of the name of the person you spoke with.

Referrals

If your insurance plan requires you to have a referral, it is your responsibility to ensure that the authorization process is completed prior to your initial visit. Following your initial visit, all follow-up authorizations will be handled by our office.

We strive to provide complete and accurate information to you at all times. Please feel free to prepare a list of questions regarding both your clinical care and financial issues prior to your first visit.

Getting Started
Just as there are many factors that can cause infertility, there are also many factors that can affect your chances for successful infertility treatment.

At FSMG/SDCRS, the couple is an important part of the treatment team. We rely on you to provide us with complete and accurate information about your medical history and to communicate openly with us while you are in our care. That is why we strongly encourage both partners to attend the initial consultation which lasts approximately two hours. It is also helpful to receive medical records of any previous diagnostic testing or treatment you may have had.

To make your first visit with us as successful as possible, we ask that you complete all paperwork ahead of time and bring with you:

  • Completed Pre-consult Questionnaire
  • All previous medical records, unless you have mailed them ahead of time

Consult Appointment


Diagnosis and Treatment

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. If you are a woman over 35, or have a history of painful periods, irregular cycles, pelvic inflammatory disease, miscarriages, or the male partner has a low sperm count then the time frame is reduced to 6 months.

The first step in overcoming infertility is accurate diagnosis of the causes of your infertility. Current data show that among couples seeking treatment for infertility, there is a female problem 35% of the time, a male problem 35% of the time, and a combined problem 20% of the time. In 10% of cases, the cause is termed "unexplained" because all tests results have been normal.

In order to obtain a precise diagnosis, an in-depth study of each partner's medical history and a thorough infertility work-up will be completed. Particular care will be taken so only the appropriate tests are conducted, saving both time and expense.

Diagnostic testing can examine such things as your hormonal patterns, your ovulation cycle, the anatomy of your uterus and fallopian tubes, and sperm shape and motility. If we suspect a fertility problem, additional testing may be required for the female partner and perhaps a urological consultation may be recommended for the male partner.

Multiple Miscarriages

Reproductive endocrinologists are trained to evaluate and treat women with this difficult problem. The evaluation includes inspection of the woman's reproductive tract, the couple's genetic make-up, and the woman's hormonal and immunologic status. We are also now evaluating for clotting disorders that might contribute to pregnancy losses. For many of these problems, effective treatment strategies can be devised.

Treatment Options

Though the causes of infertility are numerous and complex, both male and female factors can be successfully addressed with many of today's technologies. Our desire is to help you conceive as naturally as possible. Therefore, considering your diagnosis, we carefully move into the next steps. Treatment options may include minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy to correct or improve anatomical abnormalities. Ovulations induction therapy can be undertaken to increase the production of eggs with intrauterine insemination (IUI) precisely timed for when fertilization could occur. More advanced care with In Vitro Fertilization might be necessary.

Here at FSMG/SDCRS, we also evaluate and treat other Reproductive Endocrine problems including:

  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Endometriosis
  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Diagnostic surgeries

We look forward to meeting you and working with you to achieve your goals. Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns at (858) 505-5500.

Last updated: July 22, 2008
Author: Dr. Arlene J. Morales

 

 

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