Infertility TestsOverview
What are infertility tests?Infertility tests are done to help find out why a woman cannot
become pregnant. The tests help find whether the problem is with the man, the
woman, or both. Tests usually include a physical examination,
semen analysis, blood tests, and special procedures.
See illustrations of the
male
reproductive system and the
female
reproductive system . Should I be tested?Before you have infertility tests, try
fertility awareness methods to find the best time to
become pregnant. A woman is most fertile during
ovulation and 1 to 2 days before ovulation. Some
couples find that they have been missing the most fertile days when trying to
become pregnant. A woman should keep a record of her menstrual cycle and when
she ovulates. This record will help your doctor if you decide to have
infertility tests. For more information, see the topic
Fertility Awareness. Consider infertility tests for you or your partner if: - There is a physical problem, such as not
being able to release sperm (ejaculate) or not ovulating or irregular menstrual
cycles.
- You are in your mid-30s or older, have not used birth
control for 6 months, and have not been able to become pregnant.
-
You are in your 20s or early 30s, have not used birth control for a year or
more, and have not been able to become pregnant.
How do infertility tests feel?Some tests, such as a semen analysis, physical examination, and
blood tests, do not cause pain. However, some procedures, such as an endometrial
biopsy, a
laparoscopy, or a
hysterosalpingogram, may cause some pain. Do the tests cost a lot?Infertility tests can cost a lot and cause stress. You need to
regularly record your sex life and talk to your doctor about it. In some cases,
you must do this soon after having sex. This can be embarrassing. Before you have infertility tests, talk with your partner about
how much testing you want to do. Sometimes you may not find out what causes
infertility even after many tests, so it is important to know how many tests
you want to try. For more information, see: Should I have infertility tests?
What are the risks of infertility tests?Simple tests, such as semen analysis, blood tests, or an
ultrasound, do not usually cause any problems. Other
tests which are medical procedures, such as
hysteroscopy or laparoscopy, have a higher chance of
problems after the test. Where are infertility tests done?Many infertility tests, including the physical examination,
medical history, and blood tests, can be done in your doctor's office or clinic
by a gynecologist, an
obstetrician, or
a reproductive endocrinologist. Your
family doctor or general practitioner
may do some of the first
tests. Tests on a man may be done by a
urologist. Some medical procedures are done in an
operating room. What are the benefits of infertility tests?Infertility tests may find what is causing the problem and you
can sometimes be treated during the tests. For example, a blocked
fallopian tube may be opened during a
hysterosalpingogram. Sometimes tests cannot find the cause of infertility and not all
infertility problems can be treated. Infertility in men is often less
successfully treated than infertility in women. However, you may still be able
to become pregnant using
assisted reproductive technology, which can treat male
or female problems. What tests are done first?Tests to find the cause of
infertility Who | Test name | Description |
---|
Both partners | Medical history | Your doctor will ask questions about your sex life, your
birth control methods, any
sexually transmitted disease (STDs), medicine use, and
the use of caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs. Your menstrual cycle
and exercise patterns will be checked. If STDs are suspected, more tests may be
done. | Physical examination | A complete physical examination of both you and your
partner is done to check your health. - A woman's physical examination usually
includes a pelvic examination and Pap test. For more information, see the
medical tests
Pelvic Examination and
Pap Test.
- A man's physical examination
usually includes a testicular examination. For more information, see the
medical test
Testicular Examination.
| Blood or urine tests | - Luteinizing hormone (LH) and
progesterone tests may be done during a woman's
menstrual cycle to help see whether she is ovulating. LH may be checked in a
man to see whether he has a
pituitary gland problem. For more information, see the
medical tests
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and
Progesterone.
- Thyroid function tests may
be done to check for thyroid hormone problems that may be preventing ovulation.
For more information, see the medical tests
Thyroid Hormone Tests and
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
(TSH).
- Prolactin is a
hormone made by the pituitary gland. It may be checked
if a woman has menstrual cycle or ovulation problems. For more information, see
the medical test
Prolactin.
- In some cases,
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may be used to
check a woman's egg supply (ovarian reserve). Experts question the value of the
FSH testing for infertility. For more information, see the medical test
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone.
- A
testosterone test may be used to see whether a problem
with the testicles or pituitary gland is preventing a man from being able to
father a child. A low amount of testosterone can lead to low sperm counts. For
more information, see the medical test
Testosterone.
- Tests for sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) may be done. These may include urine samples or
samples from the
cervix or
urethra.
| Man | Semen analysis | A semen analysis checks the number of sperm (sperm count),
the number of sperm that look normal, the number of sperm that can move
normally, the number of
white blood cells in the semen, and how much semen is
made. For more information, see the medical test
Semen Analysis. | Woman | Post-coital test | The post-coital test checks a woman's cervical mucus after
sex to see whether sperm are alive and able to move normally through the mucus.
This test must be done the day before or the day of ovulation. Many
doctors question the value of the post-coital test to check for
infertility. It is not done very often. For more information, see the medical test
Post-coital Test. | Home test | Home LH urine test kits can be used to see when ovulation
occurs. Sometimes a woman's
basal body temperature (BBT) is also checked at the
same time. For more information, see the medical test
Fertility Awareness. | What if the first tests do not find a cause?If the first tests do not find a cause for infertility, the woman
may have one or more of the following tests. Tests for women to find the cause of
infertility Test | Description |
---|
Pelvic ultrasound | A pelvic ultrasound looks at the size and structure of the
uterus and both
ovaries. It can also check the condition and size of
the ovaries during treatment for infertility. For more information, see the
medical test
Pelvic Ultrasound. | Hysterosalpingogram | A hysterosalpingogram is an
X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and
the fallopian tubes. The pictures can show a blockage of the fallopian tubes
that would prevent an egg from reaching the uterus or prevent sperm from moving
into a fallopian tube to join (fertilize) an egg. This test may also see
problems on the inside of the uterus that might prevent a fertilized egg from
attaching (implanting) to it. For more information, see the medical test
Hysterosalpingogram. A sonohysterogram is an ultrasound test that uses a special
dye (contrast material) to look at the female reproductive
organs. | Endometrial biopsy | An endometrial biopsy is done to take out a small piece of
the uterine lining (endometrium) to see whether the lining
has normal changes during the menstrual cycle. For more information, see the
medical test
Endometrial Biopsy. | Laparoscopy | Laparoscopy is a procedure to look at a woman's pelvic
organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries) using a thin, lighted scope that
is put through a small cut (incision) in the belly. This procedure is used to
find
cysts, scar tissue (adhesions),
fibroids, and infections that can affect fertility.
Laparoscopy can also be used to treat conditions, such as
endometriosis. Laparoscopy is usually done with
general anesthesia. For more information, see the
medical test
Laparoscopy. | What other tests may be done?If a hysterosalpingogram, laparoscopy, or endometrial biopsy does
not find a reason for your infertility, or if your infertility treatment has
been unsuccessful, one or more of the following tests are sometimes
used. Other tests to find the cause of
infertility Who | Test name | Description |
---|
Both | Antibody blood tests | Antibody blood tests may be done to find antisperm
antibodies in blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Doctors question the value of
antibody tests for finding the cause of infertility. For more information, see
the medical test
Antisperm Antibody Test. | Karyotype (chromosome analysis) or genetic test | - Karyotyping is a blood test that looks
for problems in the genetic material (chromosomes) in
your cells. Some genetic problems make it hard to become pregnant. For more
information, see the medical test
Karyotype Test.
- Genetic tests may be done
to help find the cause of infertility. For more information, see the medical
test
Genetic Test.
| Man | Ultrasound | Ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of structures
inside the body. It may be done to see whether a problem in the
testicles is causing a problem with the sperm. For
more information, see the medical test
Testicular Ultrasound. | Testicular biopsy | In rare cases, a testicular biopsy may be done to check the
sperm in the man's testicles. For more information, see the medical test
Testicular Biopsy. | Woman | Hysteroscopy | Hysteroscopy is a procedure that looks at the lining of the
uterus using a thin, lighted scope that is put through the vagina and cervix
into the uterus. Hysteroscopy is used to find problems in the uterine lining.
Sometimes your doctor can use small tools during the procedure to take out
growths or take samples of tissue (biopsy) or open a blocked fallopian tube.
For more information, see the medical test
Hysteroscopy. |
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| Author: | Carrie Henley Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated August 31, 2006 | Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine | This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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