If you are struggling with infertility and trying to conceive or carry a pregnancy to delivery, you may find the following questions and answers address some of your concerns.

Q.  When should I see a specialist in infertility?

A.

- If you are over 35 years old.

- If you have been trying to conceive for over one year with well-timed intercourse.

- If you have irregular menstrual cycles or a history of pelvic infection, appendicitis, DES exposure, painful or heavy menstrual periods.

- If your partner had an undescended testicle at birth, a hernia repair or a history of urinary infections, prostatitis or epididymitis.

- If you have had 2 or more pregnancy losses.

Q. How do I find an infertility specialist?

A.

- Contact National RESOLVE at 617-623-0744 or 1310 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144 for referrals to gynecologists with additional training in infertility or fellowship trained reproductive endocrinologists (a gynecologist who has taken two additional years of training). RESOLVE also can refer you to urologists that specialize in male factor infertility.

- Contact the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (formerly the American FertilitySociety), 1209 Montgomery Highway, Birmingham, AL 35216, phone: 205-978-5000, for referrals to doctors who are members of their organization.

- Contact a local RESOLVE chapter for a physician referral.

Q. How do I learn about treatment options?

A.

- Contact RESOLVE to get a list of the 50+ fact sheets they publish on adoption, emotional aspects, pregnancy loss, drug treatments (Clomiphene, Pergonal, Humegon, Parlodel, Lupron, etc.), assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, micromanipulation of sperm and egg, etc.), donor insemination, endometriosis, overview of adoption, etc. RESOLVE's quarterly National Newsletter also describes new and relevant treatment options as well as provides articles on coping with infertility, adoption and childfree living.

- Contact the American Society of Reproductive Medicine to get a list of their educational booklets on a wide range of topics. Serono Laboratories also has patient education booklets, call 1-800-283-8088.

Q. How can I talk with others who are experiencing infertility?

A.

- Contact National RESOLVE for information about RESOLVE's nationwide local chapters, information on support groups and on member-to-member contact systems.

Q. I have questions about insurance and legislation regarding infertility coverage, where can I go?

A.

- RESOLVE has an active advocacy effort on-going in Washington. The local RESOLVE chapters can help with insurance questions or call National RESOLVE to get information about their Infertility Insurance Advisor, 52-page booklet.

Fast Facts About RESOLVE

RESOLVE is a national non-profit consumer organization serving the needs of the infertile population and allied professionals with support, education and advocacy. In principle and in practice, RESOLVE values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization.

Benefits of membership include:
National Newsletter, Medical Call-In HelpLine, discount on RESOLVE literature, Member-To-Member Contact System, local chapter services, updates on legislative and insurance reforms.

For membership information call the RESOLVE HelpLine at 617-623-0744 or send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: RESOLVE, 1310 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144-1731.

____Donor & Partner Insemination: Facts & Decision-Making - $6.00 A current source of medical information and guidance for decision-making about insemination. (Includes Fact Sheet #36).

____Assisted Reproductive Technolonv (ART} Workbook - Members $25.00 each; Non-members $40.00 each An exceptional 33-page resource for those considering or pursuing ARTs. Includes five factsheets (# 18, 20, 23, 32, 33), information on success rates, work sheets to use for choosing a clinic, "Questions to Ask" and more.

____Infertility Insurance Advisor - $5.00 fee for shipping & handling. A practical guide to help you understand your insurance coverage and to instruct you to become your own insurance advocate. Topics include understanding insurance language and appealing a denial of coverage.

STARTER KITS - Members $11.00 each; Non-members $16.00 each

____Introduction to Infertility - The First Steps includes pact Sheets # 6 16 47 and a related newsletters
____Exploring Adoption includes Fact Sheets # 1 2 3 and a newsletter)
____Emotional Aspects of Infertility includes Fact Sheets # 15 18 and related newsletter articles

FACT SHEETS - Members $3.50 each; Non-members $6.50 each

Check here.

Adoption:
1.____Overview
2.____Parent-lnitiated Adoption in the U.S.
3.____Perspectives *
3a.____Alternative Treatments: Naturopathic & Acupuneture
4.____Cancer and Infertility
5.____Childfree Decision-Making

Coping/Self-Help:
6____ Family and Friends, How They Can Help
7.____Health Insurance: See "Insurance Advisor" above
8.____Holidays *
9.____Infertility as a Chronic Illness & Stress Disorder *
10.____Meditation and Infertility *
11.____Patient Rights, Views on *
12.____Pregnancy after Infertility, Medical Facts
12a.____ Pregnancy after Infertility, Emotional Aspects
13.____ Religious Perspectives and Infertility
14.____Sex and Infertility
14a.____Shame: The Dark Shadow of Infertility
15.____Stress of Infertility/How to Cope (available in Spanish)
16.____What is an Infertility Specialist?
17.____When to Consider Stopping Medical Treatment *
18.____When to Seek Professional Help for the Emotional

Aspects of the Infertility Experience
Drug-related:
19.____Bromocriptine (Parlodel): Prolactin Problems
20.____Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene)
21.____DES: Its Impact on Infertility
22.____GnRH Agonists: Role in Infertility *
23.____hMG (Pergonal) and hCG
24.____Donor Egg and Frozen Embryos
25.____Ectopic Pregnancy

Endometriosis:
26.____ Endometriosis
27.____Three Doctors Look at Endometriosis *
28.____Environmental Factors (including weight & stress)*
29.____Hysterosalpingograms *
30.____Infections: Role in Infertility & Pregnancy Loss *

Assisted Reproductive Technology:
31.____Collected Articles on IVFIGIFT *
32.____Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Q&A *
33.____Overview of the New Technologies
34.____Micromanipulation (SUZI, ICSI, Assisted Hatching)
35.____Luteal Phase Defect

Male Infertility:
36.____Artificial Insemination (Husband, Donor, IUI}
37.____ Insemination: See "Donor & Partner" above
38.____Male Perspective, Collection on
39.____Male Infertility - Medical Management
40.____Microsurgery, Vas Blockage/Vasectomy Reversal*
41.____Semen Analysis
42.____Sperm Antibodies & Immunologic Infertility
43.____ Varicocele: Surgical and Medical Treatment

Miscarriage:
44.____ Emotional Impact
45.____Medical Causes of Miscarriage (including immune factors)
45a.____Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction
46.____Older Women Attempting Pregnancy *
47.____Overview of the Infertility Work-up
48.____Ovulation, Pinpointing
49.____Polycystic Ovarian Disease
50.____Premature Ovarian Failure
51.____Secondary Infertility, Medical & Personal Viewpoints *

Surgery:
52.____Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy: What to Expect
53.____Laparoscopic Surgery: Laser, Electro *
54.____Microsurgical & Laser Techniques for Tubal Repair
55.____Surgery: Who, When and Where? *

Surrogacy:
56.____Overview
57.____ Surrogating: What Do You Think? *
58.____ Uterine Factors in Infertility *
59.____Unexplained Infertility *

* Updated fact sheet or prior newsletter article