Infertility & Testing
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 semen analysis and blood tests.
Fertility / Infertility
The tests that are done look for many different reasons that could be causing the fertility problems. One of the very first things that your doctor is going to want to check is tests for sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Many STD’s will cause fertility problems and increase risk of a miscarriage. Standard STD testing will test for Herpes, Syphillis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis and HIV.
You will also need to check hormone levels. Tests for Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Progesterone 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 problem that may be the cause. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It may be reveal if a woman has menstrual or ovulation problems.
The thyroid can prevent ovulation if it is not working properly, so you will need to test either a full Thyroid Panel or the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). If you have a history of thyroid problems or are taking medication for your thyroid, then you should do the full Thyroid Panel instead of just a TSH.
In some cases, a Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) test will be used to check a woman’s egg supply (ovarian reserve). FSH testing can also be used in men with a very low number of sperm to try to find out the source of the problem. 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.
Antibody blood tests may be done to find antisperm antibodies in blood, semen or vaginal fluids. 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 or cause miscarriages.
Both partners will need to have all of these test done. You will want to have them done before any treatment is started.
The male partner will also need a 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.
Infertility test can cost a lot and cause stress. You and your partner need to keep track of the frequency of sexual intercourse. While you are trying to get pregnant, make sure to follow the simple steps. You need to avoid certain medications, the use of caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Tracking the menstrual cycle and exercise patterns can also help.
Infertility tests may find what is causing the problem and can help with treatment options. Sometimes the 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. You may still be able to become pregnant using assisted reproductive technology, which can treat male or female problems.
due to modern advance in medicine, infertility could be a thing of the past.”.;