Talking With Your Healthcare Provider

Even if you and your partner fit the criteria of couples who should see a healthcare provider about fertility difficulties, making that first appointment can be hard.

Your hesitation is understandable. It's common to find reasons to avoid going to a healthcare provider. You're afraid of failing, for example. You're concerned about how much it might cost. Or you may have heard from friends about the difficulties they have had and the money that was spent.

Sound like you? Take heart:

Most infertility cases — 85% to 90% — are treated with conventional therapies, such as drug treatment or surgical repair of reproductive organs.1 In fact, fewer than 5% of infertile couples in treatment actually use in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Your insurance may cover some of your testing and/or treatment costs.

If you want to conceive, it's important to overcome the emotional hurdles and take action. Don't wait! The sooner you see a healthcare provider, the sooner a problem may be diagnosed and treated.

Types of healthcare professionals that might be right for you
Description Healthcare Professional
We just started trying to conceive and are having difficulty. Primary Care Physician or OB/GYN
We've been trying to conceive for more than one year with no luck. Reproductive Endocrinologist (Fertility Specialist)
I am a woman over 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than 6 months. Reproductive Endocrinologist (Fertility Specialist)

Start the conversation now:

  • 1. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Frequently Asked Questions About Infertility. 2000-2004.

Know Before You Go

Check into your insurance coverage before you see your healthcare provider. Your policy may determine what kind of healthcare provider you see, what kinds of fertility tests you undergo and in what sequence. To have a benefits specialist assist you, call Fertility LifeLines™ at 1-866-LETS-TRY (1-866-538-7879). All calls are free and confidential.

Personal Stories

Watch videos

Hear from others who have gone through what you and your partner may be experiencing.
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Important Considerations:
Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the oligo-anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® RFF Pen is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program. Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) should only be prescribed by physicians specializing in fertility or reproductive health. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, and multiple births. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to FSH preparations, primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction and pregnancy. Nursing women should not use Gonal-f®. Common side effects include headache, abdominal pain, enlarged abdomen, and injection site disorders. For complete product details, see full prescribing information.

Important Considerations:
Women: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program.
Men: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of spermatogenesis in men with primary and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom the cause of infertility is not due to primary testicular failure. Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) should only be prescribed by physicians who are thoroughly familiar with infertility problems and their management. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women and men who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to recombinant FSH preparations or one of their excipients, high levels of FSH indicating primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, sex hormone dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs, and an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; and in women who exhibit abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin, ovarian cyst or enlargement of undetermined origin and pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Gonal-f®. The most common side effects in patients using Gonal-f® include headache, ovarian cysts, nausea and upper respiratory infections in women and in men, acne, breast pain and growth, and fatigue. Injection site reactions were also reported. Reports of multiple births have been associated with Gonal-f® treatment. For complete product details, see the full prescribing information.

For complete product details, please read the Prescribing Information offered below.


© EMD Serono, Inc. CIM Last Update 2008-09-16
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