There could be symptoms of infertility that you are facing while trying to get pregnant. But, you may not be sure whether you are fertile or not. Sometimes people don’t get pregnant because of their underlying health issues, which is not infertility, whereas some people have some fertility issues requiring fertility treatments. But how to know what is the actual cause of infertility and how to diagnose it. Well , there are some certain procedures which are used to diagnose fertility. Let’s see what are they –
Diagnostic Tests for Women Fertility
If you are a woman who wants have a baby and having regular unprotected sex for last 12months and still not able to get pregnant then it is high time to visit to a doctor and check for if you really have any infertility issues. And, if you are older than 35years and you are having regular unprotected sex for 6 months or more and still not able to get pregnant then this is the time to check for fertility test.
Your doctor may ask you about your contraceptive medication history , previous gynecologist health history or if you previously have been pregnant and terminated your pregnancy following physical and pelvic examination. Navigate here to get std testing and treatment. After that he /she may ask you for following diagnostic tests like –
- Ovulation testing – it is a blood test that measures hormone levels in the body to determine if you are ovulating or not.
- Hysterosalpingography – hysterosalpingography is a kind of x-ray test which is used to evaluate the abnormalities of uterus and fallopian tube like blockage and other issues. Basically a x-ray contrast is injected into the uterus and a x-ray image is taken to determine whether organs are working properly or any abnormalities are present there.
- Ovarian reserve testing – this test is performed to evaluate the functioning of the ovary like how much eggs it produces , how much eggs are available in the ovary, how well ovaries are functioning to the hormonal signals of the brain. The most common test to check ovarian reserve is a blood test that determine FSH level ,estradiol, anti mullerian hormone (AMH), and inhibin-B, as well as transvaginal ultrasound to perform the antral follicle count to measure the number of eggs during the early part of a menstrual cycle.
- Imaging tests – pelvic ultrasound , transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonogram (saline infusion sonogram) are such imaging tests which are used to see reproductive organs closely and this technique helps to take decisions to the doctor. Hysterosonogram determine the internal status of the uterus which cannot be seen otherwise. And, transvaginal ultrasound is basically placing a probe into the vagina to assess the uterine and ovarian abnormalities.
- Urinary luteinizing hormone – you can get “over-the-counter” ovulation prediction test kits that can indicate presence of luteinizing hormone in the urine, and it also detects a rise in hormone level that generally occurs 2 days prior to ovulation. Urinary luteinizing hormone can predict ovulation before it occurs.
In rare cases
- Hysteroscopy – sometimes your doctor may ask you to undergo a hysteroscopy test if he/she finds any uterine deformities. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin, lighted device through your cervix into your uterus to see any potential abnormalities.
- Laparoscopy – This surgery involves minimal invasion through making a small incision beneath your navel and inserting a thin small camera device to examine your fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. It can also identify endometriosis, scarring, blockages or irregularities of the fallopian tubes, and problems with the ovaries and uterus.
Diagnostic tests for men’s fertility –
- Semen analysis – Your doctor may ask you to eject semen which is generally obtained by masturbating or by interrupting intercourse and ejaculating your semen into a clean container and then send it to the lab to analyze your semen specimen. In some cases, urine may be tested for the presence of sperm.
- Hormone testing – your testosterone and other hormone level can say a lot about fertility capability. A blood test can reveal your hormone level in the body.
- Genetic testing – Genetic testing can be done to assess whether there’s a genetic defect or not which leads to infertility.
- Testicular biopsy – In some cases, a testicular biopsy may be performed to identify abnormalities contributing to infertility or to retrieve sperm for assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF treatment.
- Imaging -In certain situations, imaging studies such as a brain MRI, transrectal or scrotal ultrasound, or a test of the vas deferens (vasography) may be performed.
- Other specialty testing – In rare cases, other tests to evaluate the quality of the sperm may be performed, such as evaluating a semen specimen for DNA abnormalities.