Of course it would be ideal if we could all just get pregnant by simply having unprotected sex. But the reality is, there are many different types of challenges that can affect both male and female fertility.
Fortunately, we live in a time in which comprehensive testing is available to get to the root cause of fertility issues. The more we know about why we might not be having success getting pregnant, the better equipped we are to solve the problem and get that positive test.
This article explains what several different fertility tests are, and why you might need them. A fertility specialist can help you choose which test or tests make sense for your own situation.
What is a Fertility Test?
Fertility tests help you learn more about your body and cycle in order to help you conceive, or learn more about why you may be having difficulty conceiving.
There are several different types of fertility tests. A fertility specialist can help determine what type of testing is most appropriate following a physical exam and a discussion about you and your partner’s health history.
When Should I See a Doctor About Infertility Testing?
Fertility experts generally recommend fertility testing if you are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for at least a year, or over 35 and have been trying for at least six months.
Certain circumstances may warrant seeing a fertility specialist sooner. Reach out to your healthcare provider when you decide to start trying to conceive if you or your partner has a history of any of the following:
- Irregular periods
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Repeated miscarriages
- Thyroid problems
- Cystic fibrosis
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Injury or trauma to the scrotum and testes
- Erectile dysfunction
- Problems ejaculating
What Happens During a Fertility Test?
Testing for infertility usually begins with a nurse or doctor talking with you about your medical history and doing a physical exam. From here they will determine what tests are most appropriate from your specific situation. They may ask questions around some of the following topics:
- Medical history, including any long-term conditions or surgeries
- Medications you have taken or currently take
- Whether you use any substances, like cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, or illicit drugs
- Whether you have or had contact with chemicals, toxins, or radiation at home or work
- How often you have sex
- Your history of birth control use
- If you've ever had any sexually transmitted diseases
- If you have had any challenges when having sex
- Whether you have you been pregnant before (or gotten a person pregnant)
- What the frequency of your periods has been over the past few years
- If you have had any changes in blood flow or the appearance of large blood clots during periods.
After gathering your own personal information, your fertility specialist will recommend tests based on your specific situation
Fertility Tests for Women
There are several different types of fertility tests for women. Here are several of the most common. Your healthcare practitioner will determine which of these tests are most appropriate for you, but please feel empowered to ask questions - like why did they select the tests that they chose, and why did they exclude the tests that they didn’t choose?
- Blood tests: Hormonal imbalances can interfere with egg production, maturation, and ovulation. Blood tests check hormone levels (like progesterone, estradiol, thyroid stimulating hormone) in your blood at specific points during your menstrual cycle.
- Ovarian reserve testing: Also known as anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), this test combines a blood test with a transvaginal ultrasound. It measures your antral follicle count (AFC) and the AMH hormone produced by your ovaries, which tells your provider whether you have a typical egg count compared to other people your age. This test is typically performed in women opting for in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Genetic testing: This can check for any mutations in your genes that could impact fertility.
- Pelvic ultrasound: This type of imaging generates detailed pictures of your reproductive system. A provider might check for abnormalities like uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts.
- Sonohysterogram: Also known as a saline infusion sonogram (SIS), this is a detailed ultrasound that creates images of the inside of the uterus. It can reveal several conditions like uterine fibroids or polyps, scarring, abnormal uterine shape, cancer, or blocked fallopian tubes.
- Hysterosalpingogram: This is another type of imaging test that uses an X-ray and contrast dye to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes.
- Hysteroscopy: This test involves inserting a thin, lighted tube (a hysteroscope) into the vagina to examine the cervix and the inside of the uterus.
Male fertility tests
Fertility tests for men may include the following:
- Semen analysis: This is one of the most common male fertility tests. Semen analysis involves providing a semen sample to evaluate sperm count and other parameters.
- Fertility blood tests: As with women, blood testing can check certain hormone levels, like testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and more.
- Genetic testing: This can check for any mutations in your genes that could impact fertility.
- Testicular ultrasound: An ultrasound gives a more detailed look at the scrotum and testicles to identify any potential issues.
- Post-ejaculatory urinalysis: This urine test checks to see if there is sperm in a man’s pee. This can be caused by a condition called retrograde ejaculation.
What Are the Next Steps if The Results are Abnormal?
If any of your results are abnormal results of any kind, your healthcare provider will talk with you about next steps. You might need further testing before pursuing treatment, or your provider may propose a plan to start addressing the issue right away.
While receiving health news can feel overwhelming, the good news is that getting to the root of your fertility challenges can take away some unknowns and help solidify a plan to move forward.
Can I do a Fertility Test at Home?
There are now some types of fertility tests that are available to take at home. However, it is important to work with a fertility specialist who can help you interpret the results of your tests and help develop a treatment plan.
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