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Treatment Options 101 (Part 2 of 3)

© Shayla Swart

When I began this process I was completely ignorant of what my options were. I had faith in my Ob/Gyn and just said okay to whatever she wanted me to do. I learned over the next 21 months of treatment that knowledge is power. Finally after letting everyone else run my treatments and spend our money for us my husband and I said, "Enough!".

So here is Treatment Options 101 for those who are just beginning this journey. Please note that this is my definition and my knowledge, I am not a Doctor and any and all information should be taken to your physician. Your physician then can make the decisions that are best for your personal case. This will be done in a set of three articles the first dealing with what kind of drugs are available. The second what kind of testing and the third what kind of option and monitoring are most commonly used. I hope that you find this information helpful.

Testing

Clomid Challenge- Many doctors want to get an idea of how your ovaries are functioning. One of the best ways to find this out is put your ovaries through a mini "workout". You take Clomid usually 50 mgs. days 3-7/5-9 like you would for a treatment cycle. Then your blood is tested to see where your FSH level is. The Dr. is looking for it to be in normal range thus showing that your ovaries are not suffering from any type of premature menopause or poor egg quality.

HSG- Hysterosalpinogram is the technical name. This test takes roughly 30-40 minutes depending upon the doctor performing it. It is used to gauge whether your fallopian tubes are open or not. A catheter is inserted through your cervix up into your uterus. x-ray dye is then shot through the catheter and pictures are taken every couple of seconds. If your tubes are open you will see the dye spill out of both tubes. This test is minorly painful and I'd recommend some ibuprofen before and after to help with the pain.

Hysteroscopy- I've never experienced a hysteroscopy but from reading and talking to friends I have found that it is basically an easier way to take get a look at a womans reproductive organs without having to do surgery. A thin telescope mounted with a fiber optic light is inserted through the cervix, pictures are then taken for the doctor review. A hysteroscopy is not usually done unless an abnormality was seen on the HSG.

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