Infertility Test

What is an infertility test? An infertility test is one of numerous methods of determining whether or not viable eggs are present in a female and/or a high level of healthy sperm are present in the male.

Infertility testing can be intrusive, expensive, stressful, and frustrating. Yet, for many, the anguish of testing is well worth the discovery, and treatment, of infertility in the relationship. In the majority of cases, infertility testing results in the discovery of treatable physical reasons for problems in conception. In the minority, however, genetic causes are to blame. In any case, knowing the cause of infertility with a test or tests is very helpful.

Infertility is assumed if a couple has engaged in unprotected sex for 12 months without a resulting pregnancy. Infertility assumes that one or both of the individuals are not sterile, meaning that there is no chance for pregnancy at all.

The most common causes of infertility include ovulation problems, tubal infertility, sperm problems, age of male/female, and egg quantity and quality. Other less common causes include previous tubal ligation or vasectomy, uterine problems, endometriosis, and infertility associated with immunological issues.

A number of different infertility test proceedures exist to determine which cause or causes are to blame for infertility in any given couple, beginning with the most simple basic infertility evaluation. A basic infertility test includes questionnaires about lifestyle and medical history for both partners.

A physical examination of the female including a pelvic ultrasound, and a collection of sperm for evaluation is also included in the basic infertility evaluation. More extensive infertility testing will include Day 3 FSH testing, hysterosalpingograms, ovarian reserve/quality/quantity examinations, hysteroscopy and/or laparoscopy for infertility, and ovarian antral follicle counts, to name a few.

The more extensive infertility testing proceedures tend to be invasive and, at times, painful. Some proceedures require minor surgery to conduct them. Once the infertility test or tests determine the cause of infertility, treatment can begin, if applicable. Treatment includes medications to increase egg or sperm production, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, stress reduction, and healthy living.

Direct semination of either donated or male partner sperm is a common fertility treatment, as well as beginning the fertilization process outside of the womb in a test tube and implanting back into the female once the embryo has formed into a blastocyst.