infertility flowchart
TRANSCRIPT
DO YOU HAVEIRREGULAR
CYCLES?
DO YOU GETSEVERE
CRAMPS?
POSSIBLEENDOMETRIOSIS
5% of infertility cases are dueto this condition (2).
See your doctor.
ARE YOUOVULATING?
POSSIBLELUTEAL PHASE DEFECT
due to low progesterone. Sometimesdue to PCOS (4). See your doctor.
DO YOU HAVE ALOW BBT?POSSIBLE
HYPOTHYROIDISMwhich can cause fertility issues.
See your doctor.
POSSIBLEMISTIMED SEX
Use the Fertility Awareness Methodto identify the times you’re
most likely to conceive.
POSSIBLEINSUFFICIENT LH AND FSH
Your pituitary gland may not be producing luteinising hormone or follicule stimulating
hormone (1). See your doctor.
POSSIBLEPCOS
70% of incidents of anovulation are dueto this hereditary condition (1). See your
doctor.
PERIODTRACKING
CERVICALFLUID
BASAL BODYTEMPERATURE
(BBT)
DO YOU HAVELITTLE TO NO
CERVICAL FLUID?
BBT below 97.2°Fduring your follicular
(pre-ovulatory) phase.
DO YOU HAVE ASHORT LUTEAL PHASE?
A post-ovulatory phaseof less than 10 days.
A mid-cycle BBTshift indicates
ovulation.
CAUSES OF IMPAIRED FERTILITYWhat your body may be telling you
It can take 2-3 cycles off thePill to return to normal.
Wait it out!
ARE YOUTAKING
CLOMID?
Since you’re ovulating, Clomidmay not help. It may reduce
cervical fluid (3). See your doctor.
DO YOU HAVE AHIGH BBT?BBT frequentlyabove 98.6°F.
POSSIBLEHYPERTHYROIDISM
58% of hyperthyroid patients experienceoligomenorrhea (infrequent menstruation)
or amenorrhea (6). See your doctor.
DO YOU HAVE A LOW BMI?
DO YOU HAVETHICK CERVICAL
FLUID WHENFERTILE?
NO
YES
ARE YOUDEHYDRATED?
POSSIBLEHOSTILE CERVICAL FLUID
Thick & sticky cervical fluid during thefertile window can hinder sperm. There are many potential causes (3). See your doctor.
ONE OFMANY OTHER CAUSES3% of all cases of infertility aredue to cervical fluid issues (2).
See your doctor.
DRINK WATERDehydration can result in lessfertile-quality cervical fluid (3).
YES
YES
YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
DO YOUMENSTRUATE?
YES
NO NO
It can take 2-3 cycles off thePill to return to normal.
Wait it out!
YES
ARE YOU RECENTLYOFF HORMONALBIRTH CONTROL?
ARE YOU RECENTLYOFF HORMONALBIRTH CONTROL?
POSSIBLESECONDARY AMENORRHEAExcessive exercise, low BMI, PCOS andother conditions can cause a cessationof menstruation (5). See your doctor.
NO
YES
YES
YES
NONO
DO YOU HAVEHEAVY MENSTRUAL
BLEEDING?YES
NO
SOURCES: Mayo Clinic, The Women’s Health Council, British Medical Group, Toni Weschler. Full sources on blog.kindara.com
DO YOU HAVE A HIGH BMI? YES
POSSIBLEANDROGEN EXCESS
which causes low preogesteroneand estrogen (6). See your doctor.