Some patients have sexual problems they are hesitant to bring up. Being open and honest about sexual practices and frequency may reveal sexual dysfunction. “I have had patients not forthcoming about difficulty with having sex,” recalls Dr. Schoyer. If you have problems having intercourse, experience pain, or want to know if there are certain types of intercourse more effective than others, talk to your physician.
Prescription and Herbal Medications
At any preconception medical visit you will probably be asked to complete a questionnaire listing all your prescription medications. It’s essential that your physician know exactly what you’re taking and at what dosage. Besides concerns about drug interactions, your physician should also be alert to medications that are not appropriate for use during pregnancy or for a certain period of time prior to conceiving. Although this information is important, sometimes patients simply forget. To make sure you provide your doctor with the right information, create a list at home with information copied directly from the bottles.
Many patients don’t realize that herbal medicines, available over-the-counter in many pharmacies and health food stores, can interfere with fertility treatments. Dr. Werlin stresses the importance of discussing any herbal medicines you take with your doctor. “Some herbal medicines can alter hormones and in turn interfere with reproductive treatments,” he says, adding that soy in particular can be a problem.
But besides listing all the medications you take, you also need to be honest about whether you’re really taking the medications as prescribed. If you’re skipping doses, avoiding medication because of side effects, or are simply forgetful, it can have an impact on a drug’s effectiveness, whether it’s a drug being used for fertility or any other health concerns. Carolyn Kaplan, M.D., director of IVF at Georgia Reproductive Specialists in Atlanta, warns that if you aren’t truthful, your doctor may “change medicines unnecessarily because we think the medicine isn’t working at the dose [you] are supposed to be taking.”
{loadposition frboost} Yes To Honesty, No To Shame
In addition to being honest with your physician, you need to be honest with your partner. It’s not uncommon to for one member of a couple to keep parts of their past hidden, not wanting to divulge a past STD, drug use or alcohol addiction, miscarriage or abortion. But this is information your doctor will ask about, so it’s best to discuss it with your partner first. Even though most physicians will keep information confidential for you if you ask, there are good reasons to discuss things with your partner. “It is incredibly important for a couple to first be honest with each other,” says Dr. Werlin. “When they cover up items it becomes a vicious cycle. Sooner or later they end up having to confess the truth.”
If there are factors that your doctor should know about but you feel too uncomfortable to say them out loud, author Weiss suggests writing your physician a letter describing the information and indicating you want it to remain confidential. If there are matters you’d rather not discuss with or divulge to your partner, Dr. Foulk recommends requesting a private meeting with your doctor to discuss the subjects. Your physician is committed to helping you conceive, but is also committed to protecting your privacy and remaining non-judgmental about your health and your life. “Patients need to realize that their doctor has seen it all.” says Dr. Kaplan.
This article was originally published in the Spring 2007 issue of Conceive Magazine.
Related Topics: Boost Fertility; Fertility Health
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