Which Infertility Tests Will Your Doctor Give?

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Getting pregnant can sometimes feel like a chore. If you are having problems getting pregnant don’t worry. You are not alone. Infertility is a problem for many couples who are trying to conceive. If you and your partner have been trying to have a baby for a year and have not been successful, it is most likely the time to consult with your doctor to rule out some issues that may be affecting your chances of getting pregnant. Although it is common to be concerned, we are here to shed some light on some of the tests that your doctor may perform to help determine the reason or reasons why you may be having difficulty getting pregnant.

During your visit, you should probably first expect your doctor to consult with the potential father of the baby to ensure that he has healthy sperm. Analyzing a woman before the man would be putting the cart before the horse because analyzing a man’s sperm is a relatively simple and straightforward procedure that can be easily performed in a laboratory or office. If the man’s sperm is not healthy, motile (able to swim) or is low in count, he may not be able to fertilize the egg.

The second thing your doctor will most likely analyze is your menstrual cycle to ensure that an egg is being released properly and on time each month. In other words, are you ovulating? It is known that 90% of women who have a regular period on a monthly basis do ovulate every month. Having a regular period is good news and can sometimes be all that the doctor needs to determine that you do indeed ovulate. However, it must be stated that there are some women who seem to have regular periods but don’t actually ovulate. For these situations there are a number of other tests that can be performed including blood tests which test for levels of progesterone (a hormone that pregnant produce) and ultrasounds to look for a developing follicle where the egg develops.

If nothing is apparent, a next step would be to take a look at your fallopian tubes to ensure that they are open. After all, the egg must travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus for conception to occur. The most common fallopian tube test is called the HSG which stands for hysterosalpingogram. The hysterosalpingogram is a type of x-ray that enables your doctor to view your uterus. While taking the x ray, your doctor will inject a special safe dye into your uterus and through the fallopian tube. By looking at the dye as it travels through your fallopian tube, your doctor will be able to determine if the tube is open or if there is a blockage. If the dye is being prevented from traveling through the fallopian tube, then the it is most likely closed. A closed fallopian tube may explain why you may be having difficulty getting pregnant. Blockages can be due to a number of reasons including fibroids, polyps and other growths. An ultrasound or a physical exam in the office may also be used to determine the presence of a fallopian tube blockage.

Occasionally other test may be performed. Such tests include laparoscopy which enables your doctor to look inside your pelvis with a camera and a hysteroscopy which allows your doctor to view the inside of your uterus with a camera. On other occasions, there may be additional tests that may be required depending on the specific situation. If you have any other questions about the tests mentioned or other ones that were not covered in this segment, please feel free to leave us a comment or send us comment and we will answer you shortly.