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Warning-sign checks

Infertility: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek urgent or emergency care for:

    • Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
    • Shortness of breath or chest pain
    • Fainting, confusion, or severe weakness
    • Heavy vaginal bleeding
    • A positive pregnancy test with one-sided pain, shoulder-tip pain, or faintness

    These symptoms may signal a treatment complication, internal bleeding, or ectopic pregnancy.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your fertility clinic promptly if treatment causes worsening pain, marked abdominal swelling, persistent vomiting, or much less urination than usual.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine fertility assessment if pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months of regular unprotected sex.

    Consider seeking help after six months if the partner who would carry the pregnancy is 35 or older.

    They are not routine features of infertility.

The article also says

Seek earlier assessment if either partner has a known concern, such as absent periods, previous pelvic infection, endometriosis, testicular problems, sexual difficulties, cancer treatment, or a history of surgery involving reproductive organs.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Infertility. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.