Where and how can I get tested for sterility in New York?
January 5, 2011 5:28 PM Subscribe
Where and how can I get tested for sterility in New York City?
I am recently married, but have a history of taking various prescribed medications and frequent pot smoking. My wife and I want to have kids, but I've been too embarrassed to bring up the topic of fertility/sterility and doubting myself. Is there a place I can go and get tested for this?
I am recently married, but have a history of taking various prescribed medications and frequent pot smoking. My wife and I want to have kids, but I've been too embarrassed to bring up the topic of fertility/sterility and doubting myself. Is there a place I can go and get tested for this?
Son, this is not something to be embarassed about. Just say "Hey sweetie, since we want to start a family, I think I should get checked out and make sure that I'm firing on both cylinders and all my boys can swim". If you have a sort of GP then they will point you in the right direction, or you can make an appointment with a urologist or just call a fertility clinic directly (depending on your insurance). I went through my primary care physician.
And for crying out loud, don't be embarassed about telling your doctor stuff. The doctor has heard it all. Twice. Today. And it's only 10AM. He or she is not going to be freaked by the fact that you used to smoke pot unless you actually light up a fattie during the examination.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 5:47 PM on January 5, 2011 [5 favorites]
And for crying out loud, don't be embarassed about telling your doctor stuff. The doctor has heard it all. Twice. Today. And it's only 10AM. He or she is not going to be freaked by the fact that you used to smoke pot unless you actually light up a fattie during the examination.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 5:47 PM on January 5, 2011 [5 favorites]
Yep, just go to your regular doc and say "My wife and I want to start a family, and I'm wondering what my sperm count and motility look like." It's a completely routine test.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:57 PM on January 5, 2011
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:57 PM on January 5, 2011
This is so normal your doctor will sleepwalk through the conversation, or could, anyway. Seriously, they assume all women could be pregnant, that when you swear you don't drink that means you drink a little, and that everyone smokes pot - at least, that's how they talk to me, and I'm a Mormon who doesn't drink, do drugs, or have sex.
They'll be delighted you want something easy to provide.
posted by SMPA at 6:33 PM on January 5, 2011
They'll be delighted you want something easy to provide.
posted by SMPA at 6:33 PM on January 5, 2011
Have any understanding friends with microscopes? Its pretty straightforward to do
posted by Blasdelb at 7:47 PM on January 5, 2011
posted by Blasdelb at 7:47 PM on January 5, 2011
I don't think that they will refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist (who generally do these workups) without an indication, such as trying to get pregnant and not succeeding. Unless you just want to pay for it out of pocket, in which case it doesn't necessarily matter whether you 'need' the test or not.
As brainmouse mentioned, the length of time before you're considered to be having fertility problems can be 6 months for people who are really trying hard and are pretty certain they're having sex at all the right times, or more like 1 year for people who aren't as intense about it... insurance companies aren't usually very excited about paying for this stuff either way since from their point of view it's not a medical necessity.
I wouldn't worry so much... there are a lot of pot smoking, medication taking daddies out there. Give it a go, you may be surprised...
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:59 PM on January 5, 2011
As brainmouse mentioned, the length of time before you're considered to be having fertility problems can be 6 months for people who are really trying hard and are pretty certain they're having sex at all the right times, or more like 1 year for people who aren't as intense about it... insurance companies aren't usually very excited about paying for this stuff either way since from their point of view it's not a medical necessity.
I wouldn't worry so much... there are a lot of pot smoking, medication taking daddies out there. Give it a go, you may be surprised...
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:59 PM on January 5, 2011
If you call to set up an appointment, they might not even bring you in to the doctor. They sent us straight to the lab, who sent us home with a cup and a wink. This is such a routine thing.
posted by theraflu at 8:06 PM on January 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by theraflu at 8:06 PM on January 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
Do you really need to be checked? If you want to have kids the cheap and easy (and fun!) first line check is to try to have kids. If you end up having trouble you're going to be medically investigating the situation anyway and a sperm check is one of the first things they'll do. Induced sterility is not really that likely.
posted by nanojath at 9:31 PM on January 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by nanojath at 9:31 PM on January 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
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But I believe (and if I'm wrong I will be corrected I'm sure) that the general technique with fertility is to try to get pregnant for something like 6 months, and if it doesn't work then begin testing and, if necessary, interventions.
posted by brainmouse at 5:43 PM on January 5, 2011