Explore your fertility options. Fertility treatment doesn’t have to mean in vitro fertilization. “ Usually, women wanting to become pregnant can be treated with less expensive, simpler methods,” says Rebecca Flyckt, MD, a Cleveland Clinic fertility specialist at Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center. “Often, just a small adjustment can improve fertility.” Fertility preservation. Generally, there are two reasons women preserve fertility: Cancer diagnosis and treatment Postponing childbearing due to lack of a partner or first wanting to pursue education or a career Egg freezing is the conventional method and is frequently performed in these scenarios. However, Cleveland Clinic also offers ovarian tissue freezing, a cuttingedge experimental technology. Instead of storing eggs for fertilization later, specialists remove and store a portion of ovarian tissue (containing thousands of egg cells). Later it can be re-implanted so the woman can conceive naturally. “Cleveland Clinic Beachwood is one of few U.S. locations that offer tissue freezing,” says Dr. Flyckt. “It’s a good option for women who need to start cancer treatment immediately. We can do the outpatient procedure in one day, instead of waiting weeks for ovulation.” The Fertility Center at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood provides a range of treatments: Medication. Fertility drugs can help women who don’t ovulate. Women can often take just one pill for five days during the first half of their menstrual cycle. Combined with timed intercourse or insemination, it’s often all women need to conceive, says Dr. Flyckt. More aggressive treatments involve injected fertility medications. Insemination. Experts select a concentrated sample of the healthiest, most active sperm and insert it through the cervix into the uterus. Surgery. Surgery can correct common gynecologic disorders that hinder fertility, such as: Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, which prevent eggs from getting to the uterus Fibroids (benign tumors of the uterus) Endometriosis, which can cause pelvic pain, bleeding and infertility Treatment for hormone issues. “Thyroid disorders are quite common and often undiagnosed,” says Dr. Flyckt. “When your thyroid is malfunctioning, you may have irregular periods and it may be hard for you to get or stay pregnant.” In vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization has the highest pregnancy success rate but can be very expensive and time-consuming. Eggs retrieved from a woman’s body are fertilized in a lab. When an embryo begins to grow, it is implanted into the woman’s womb. Cleveland Clinic’s in vitro program, one of the largest in Ohio, is equipped with the most advanced technologies available. Rebecca Flyckt, MD When should you see a doctor? Try to conceive for a year before seeking fertility treatment if your periods are monthly, advises Dr. Flyckt. If you are age 35 or older, you should see a fertility specialist after six months. If you are over 40 or if you have painful periods, infrequent periods or other gynecological issues, you should see a fertility specialist right away. “There are many treatment options that can improve your chance of conceiving which are easy, gentle and not too expensive,” says Dr. Flyckt. For more information, visit clevelandclinic.org/fertility. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Flyckt or another fertility specialist at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center, call 216.839.3150. January 2015 n Beachwood Buzz 45