Infertility: Essential Tests and What They Mean!

Infertility means not being able to conceive after one year of trying (or six months if a woman is 35 years or older). At this stage it becomes important to consult a doctor in order to diagnose the real problem and treat it further.

How to know if a woman is Infertile?

To check the infertility status, doctors will do a checkup.

The first step involves a physical check up and a consultation session with both the partners about their health and sexual histories. Sometimes, this alone is enough to find the cause. However, most of the time, the doctor will need to do more tests.

To start the further diagnosis, doctors usually first find out if the woman is ovulating each month or not. For this, they may ask a woman to track her ovulation at home by:

• Writing down changes in her morning body temperature for several months
• Writing down how her cervical mucus looks for several months
• Using a home ovulation test kit (available at pharmacies)

Ovulation can also be checked by blood tests or an ultrasound of the ovaries. If ovulation comes out to be normal, then the doctor goes ahead with other fertility tests like:

• Hysterosalpingography: This is an x-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Doctors inject a special dye into the uterus through the vagina, using which doctors can then see if the dye moves freely through the uterus and fallopian tubes.

This can help them find physical blocks that may be causing infertility. As these blocks can prevent the egg movement from the fallopian tube to the uterus. This can even prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.

• Laparoscopy: This is a minor surgery done with a small tool with a light called laparoscopy, to see inside the abdomen. The doctor makes a small cut in the lower abdomen and inserts the laparoscope. With the laparoscope, the doctor is able to check the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus for any disease or physical problems.

Finding the cause of infertility can be a tiring and emotional process. It may take time to complete all the required tests. Remember regular consultation, patience and positivity are the key to successful conception.

Source:- https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/infertility