Fertility testing can help your doctor determine why you and your partner are unable to conceive a child. Fertility problems can occur in the male, female, or both partners can have problems that make conception difficult. Testing involves examining the male and female reproductive tracts for abnormalities and determining if hormone deficiencies play a part in the failure to conceive.
Identification
You may be considered infertile if you have been unable to conceive after a year of having unprotected sex, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Couples may also seek infertility treatment and testing if the woman has had several miscarriages or has an irregular menstrual cycle.
Before Testing
Before testing begins, both partners must be evaluated by doctors familiar with infertility. Doctors who commonly perform fertility testing include infertility specialists, reproductive endocrinologists and urologists. Some obstetricians/gynecologists may also specialize in infertility issues. Your doctor will ask to you to describe any past health issues and ask questions about your general health. If you are female, you will be asked if you have had pelvic pain, surgeries, prior pregnancies, an irregular cycle or abnormal bleeding in the past. Males will be asked if they have had surgery or an injury to the genital area, used illegal drugs or previously fathered a child. Both partners will be asked to describe birth control methods used in the past. After an examination, your doctor will make a recommendation regarding appropriate infertility tests.
Fertility Tests
Blood tests can be used to check hormone levels to determine if the female partner is ovulating, or releasing eggs, each month. Blood tests can also be used to check for thyroid problems and egg supply in the women and for testosterone levels in the man. Semen analysis is conducted to determine if the sperm in a man's semen move normally and that there are a sufficient number of sperm necessary for conception. Semen analysis can also be helpful in identifying a clumping problem that prevents sperm from swimming normally. An ultrasound examination may be needed to check if the uterus and ovaries are operating normally in the woman and to check for blockages in the male reproductive tract. A cervical mucus test can be helpful in determining if sperm can penetrate the mucus produced by a woman's cervix. The test is conducted at ovulation after the couple has had sexual intercourse.
Considerations
More extensive testing may be needed if less invasive tests do not reveal the cause of infertility. X-rays examinations using special dyes can be used to find blockages in the male or female reproductive tract. Tiny cameras can be inserted into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries to search for abnormalities or scarring. According to the American Pregnancy Association, your doctor will need to confirm that you are not already pregnant before conducting these tests. Proceeding with testing if you are pregnant could result in the loss of the pregnancy. Biopsies of the testes, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles, and the lining of the uterus can provide valuable information about the cause of infertility.
Warning
All insurance plans do not cover fertility testing. Before you proceed with testing, you may want to check with your insurance company regarding its policy for covering both infertility testing and treatment.
