Fertility tests are recommended for couples who have been trying to conceive for 6 to 12 months without success. Tests include a sperm test for men and tests to determine ovarian function for women. Infertility can be caused by age, abnormal hormone levels, STDs, and lifestyle issues. Two-thirds of couples receiving infertility treatment go on to conceive.
When a woman does not become pregnant after 6 to 12 months of trying or continues to have miscarriages, she and her partner often go to a doctor to have a fertility test. The doctor usually does a sperm test for men and a test to determine ovarian function for women. The test indicates the problem that is causing difficulty conceiving, allowing the doctor to decide on an appropriate course of treatment.
A doctor considers several factors when recommending a fertility test, including the couple’s age and the length of time they’ve been trying to conceive. A fertility test for women usually consists of a physical exam, a history review, an ovulation check, tests to verify a normal uterus and open fallopian tubes, and a discussion of the frequency and timing of intercourse sexual. The full assessment usually takes a few months to conduct, so testing may be done over several menstrual cycles.
For men, a fertility test usually involves testing a semen sample, which the man can produce at home or in a laboratory, depending on the doctor. The doctor studies the sample to determine the number of sperm, their shape, their movement, and any signs of infection. The doctor might also refer the man to a urologist for urinary tract testing.
For women, the doctor usually begins fertility testing by conducting a physical exam and analyzing medical history, including menstrual function, pregnancy history, history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and control history of births. The doctor then does a pap smear and blood tests. Other tests your doctor may do include hysterosalpingography (HSG), x-rays of the uterus and fallopian tubes; transvaginal ultrasound; hysteroscopy, using a telescope-like device to look through the cervix; and laparoscopy, using a telescope-like device to look through a small cut in your belly button. The doctor might also have the woman perform self-tests — using urine tests and basal body temperature tests — at home to check for ovulation so she can time intercourse correctly.
Infertility can be a result of the couple’s age, problems with the man’s sperm, abnormal hormone levels, STDs, and lifestyle issues. Statistics show that infertility can be traced back to the woman in 65 percent of cases and the man is responsible for the infertility in 20 percent of cases. The rest of the time, no cause can be found for the infertility problem. As many as two-thirds of couples receiving infertility treatment go on to conceive.
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