Introduction to Infertility
Marissa Chase never thought that she would go to a fertility clinic. But after almost a year of trying to conceive with her husband and facing increasing disappointment, she noticed that something was wrong. She said, "You know it was finally the time. The month. The time to try yourself, and in the end, it was a pregnancy test that had failed after the failure."
The Struggle with Uncertainty
Every negative test brought new waves of uncertainty. Fear grew without a clear diagnosis. Chase explained, "To be honest, it was terrible, right? Because you didn’t know. Everything runs through your head, I will never be able to have a family. Among other things. So it was very scary."
Diagnosis and Treatment
Chase finally turned to a fertility clinic, where Dr. Jonathan Kort diagnosed her with polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS, a condition that had remained undetected for years. According to the US Office on Women’s Health, PCOS affects about 1 out of 10 women of reproductive age and is a leading and often under-diagnosed cause of infertility.
Understanding PCOS
Dr. Kort explained, "Often our patients with infertility have been trying at home for months and even years. And often they will just try. But the majority of patients with PCOS, they don’t ovulate regularly. And sometimes they have no ovulation at all. So they try at home without treatment, which is not really effective." He emphasized that earlier treatment can increase the likelihood of conception, especially if patients do not see any signs of regular ovulation.
A Successful Outcome
The treatment changed everything for Chase, not just once, but twice. She recalled, "I will never forget it. Never forget it. It was the best feeling all over the world." Today, she tells her story to encourage others with similar challenges to seek help and hold on to hope.
Holding onto Hope
Chase reflected, "It was amazing. Nothing about the birth and what you say is underestimated. For the first time, the emotions that are anxious and excited to experience this kind of love for the first time. I think that every person on this planet should be able to experience this kind of love. Because it is completely unique." Although her journey to motherhood was not easy, Chase said that every step was worth it.
