infertile coupleAccording to research completed by the University of Utah’s Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, some women seek out and receive fertility treatments before such treatment is clinically indicated. The results of the research study were published in the April 2013 issue of Maternal and Child Health Journal.

Information for the study was collected from PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System). More than 9,500 survey’s filled out by women who had recently delivered were included in the study. The surveys assessed how long the women had tried to become pregnant and when, if ever, fertility help was sought out.

About 9.5% of the women surveyed admitted using fertility treatments to aid conception. Among the women who sought out fertility assistance, nearly 90% had been trying to conceive for less than 12 months. Women who received fertility assistance typically reported trying to conceive naturally for more than one year prior to receiving treatment.

Some women, particularly women with at least one child already, are seeking fertility assistance before assistance is clinically indicated. These women may benefit from education and information on weight loss and ovulation tracking to time intercourse.

Source: Sanders J, Simonsen S, Porucznik CA, Baksh L, Stanford JB. Use of Fertility Treatments in Relation to the Duration of Pregnancy Attempt Among Women Who Were Trying to Become Pregnant and Experienced a Live Birth. Matern Child Health J. 2013 Apr 13.