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. This will take us into the last section where there will be student discussion topics, the reading assignment, and a list of the resources used for this lesson.
