Understanding Your Fertility

An excerpt from Fertility & Beyond: Join the Conversation

By Melanie Collins, MD, Ob/Gyn

It seems that the majority of the education we receive about “fertility” is tied to what we learn in elementary school sex education class. It’s not until much later in life, that you receive additional education on how the reproductive system works. Generally, this happens after you decide you want to start a family. Many times, that education comes at a cost: an infertility diagnosis.

No matter where you are in the journey of having a family, whether you’re just thinking about trying or have been on a long road of fertility treatments, it’s helpful to have an understanding of your body, in particular your reproductive system, at all ages! You need to have a better understanding of your fertility.

Our society tends to be rather quiet about fertility, menstrual cycles, ovulation, and so on. Consequently, when you start trying to navigate these complex systems, it can be overwhelming.

This should be one of the things you consider when choosing an Ob/Gyn for even your regular annual visits. Find a physician that takes the time to explain what happens at each phase of life and how it can impact you. When discussing these types of topics early and often, you can minimize some of the subsequent confusion and avoid the daunting feeling of embarrassment.

About Melanie Collins, MD, Ob/Gyn 

Background:

Dr. Melanie Collins attended medical school and completed her residency at the University of Texas at Houston, where she spent ten years. In her last year, she was greatly impacted by her work at MD Anderson. She worked with women who were pregnant and had cancer, breast cancer predominantly.

She moved to Austin, TX in 1996 and was one of the founding members of the Renaissance Women’s Group. This was located in the same office building as several prominent fertility specialists in the community.

The two practices began referring patients to one another and have maintained that relationship for over two decades, continuing to share information and remain current with the latest research in the field of fertility.

When the doctors started freezing eggs in Austin, it was quite a big leap in what was previously possible. This got her excited about the options it provided for her patients. With the trend of delaying childbearing as women extend their education, or to establish themselves in their professional careers, women have more viable choices.

Her current work:

Dr. Collins’ practice has grown over the years. She remains abreast of research and information surrounding infertility, so she can best counsel her patients.

Her primary goal is to establish patient relationships for the long term. She’s even now delivered babies for the second generation in a family! She focuses on educating patients through all cycles of life and how various phases impact their body and well-being (from basic coaching on how a woman’s cycle works, to handling fertility and beyond, and through menopause).

Contact information: http://www.rwgdocs.com

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