If you have been trying to conceive for a year or more without success, you should go ahead and seek medical advice to try and diagnose the problem for the infertility, and hopefully fix it.
Although the cause of infertility is evenly divided between males and females, let’s just take a look at the type of diagnostic testing that a woman can expect when she is being evaluated for causes of infertility.
Typical fertility tests often include:
- Ovulation Testing: Ovulation testing involves having a blood test for progesterone, which is a hormone produced after ovulation, This will ascertain whether or not you are ovulating. You can also check to see if you are ovulating at home with natural fertility tracking. There are actually home kits to test for the surge of LH hormone that is released just prior to ovulation, but you would be well advised to simply have this done in the doctor’s office.
- Hysterosalpingography: This test evaluates the size and contour of your uterine cavity and checks whether your fallopian tubes are open and not blocked. Fluid is injected into your uterus, and an X-ray is taken to determine if the uterine cavity is normal and to make sure that the fluid passes out of the uterus and into your fallopian tubes. In some women, the test itself takes care of the infertility problem simply by flushing out and opening the fallopian tubes.
- Laparoscopy: This procedure is normally done on an out patient basis and involves being under general anesthesia. Laparoscopy allows your doctor to check out your ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes to make sure that there is no blockage, scarring, endometriosis or other problems. The doctor will make a very small incision just beneath your navel, and then insert a needle into your abdominal cavity.
- Ovarian Reserve Testing: A series of blood and imagery tests that are performed on various days throughout the monthly cycle, to check the amount of ovarian reserve, or egg supply. This bout of testing is most often done on women aged 35 or older who are liable to have a depleted egg supply, those who smoke, or have an autoimmune disease.
- Hormone Testing: Testing for a specific hormone such as FSH or prolactin can help determine if a hormonal imbalance exists or another undiagnosed medical condition that might be interfering with your fertility.
These are the most common initial tests done for infertility in females.
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