Fertility Diagnostic Testing

With the advances made in reproductive technology, it is now possible to access the fertility potential of a man or a woman. Many fertility clinics are currently providing “Fertility Diagnostic Testing” to allow people to access their fertility potential. Through the process, you’d be provided with information that helps you to create your immediate reproductive plans or those of the future.

Diagnosis

Before you carry out infertility testing, your clinician will try to find out your sexual habits and offer you advice base on the information you provide. Sometimes, it is difficult to ascertain the cause of infertility. Infertility assessment can be costly; a good number of medical insurance plans don’t cover fertility treatment. Also, it frequently involves uncomfortable procedures. In addition, undergoing fertility assessment is not a guarantee that you’d become pregnant eventually.

Fertility diagnostic Testing for men

For a man to be fertile, his testicles must be able to produce plenty of healthy sperm. Also the sperm produced must be effectively ejaculated into the vagina of a woman and be motile enough to meet with her egg. Diagnosis and test for male fertility involve as procedure taken to check if any of the fertility processes are impaired.

You may be given a standard physical exam which includes the examination of your genitals. Main fertility treatments for men include the following:

Semen analysis

A semen analysis is an uncomplicated test used to assess male’s fertility potential. You’d be asked to abstain from sex for several days-after which a specimen is collected and the number, motility and shape of sperm are tested. The Semen specimen is commonly obtained through masturbating or by interrupting intercourse and ejaculating your semen into a hygienic container. The specimen is analyzed in the lab. Sometimes, a urine specimen is collected and the presence of sperm in the specimen is checked.

Hormone testing

You may be offered a blood test to estimate the level of testosterone and other male hormones.

Genetic testing

Genetic testing may be carried out to find out if you have any genetic impairment.

Testicular biopsy

In some instances, a testicular biopsy is carried out to find out any defect that is the cause of the infertility or to retrieve sperm to use for assisted reproductive techniques like IVF.

Imaging

In some situations, imaging studies like a brain MRI, bone mineral density scan, transrectal, scrotal ultrasound, a test of the vas deferens known as vasography may be carried out.

Other specialty testing

In exceptional situations, tests to assess the quality of the sperm may be carried out like checking a semen specimen for abnormal DNA.

Fertility diagnostic Testing for women

Women fertility declines as she ages. Both the quantity and quality of her eggs reduces as she gets older. Through a mixture of three blood tests and an ultrasound of the woman’s your ovaries, the ovarian reserve is determined. This indicates the woman’s age connected fertility possibility, although these tests are not exactly 100 percent accurate.

A woman’s fertility potential depends so much on the ability of her ovaries to release healthy eggs. Her reproductive tract must make it possible for the released egg to travel through the fallopian tubes and meet with sperm for fertilization. Again, the fertilized egg, ought to be able to travel down the uterus and get implanted in the uterine lining.

Tests for female infertility try to examine if any of these processes are faulty. The test may include standard physical exam together with gynecological assessment.

Main fertility tests carried out include the following:

Ovulation testing

A blood test is carried out to estimate the hormone levels and check if the woman is ovulating.

Hysterosalpingography

Hysterosalpingography test estimates the uterine and fallopian tube condition and checks if there is any blockage or other issues.  This involves injecting X-ray contrast into the woman’s uterus, and taking an X-ray of her uterus to ascertain if the womb cavity is normal and make sure that the fluid pours out of her fallopian tubes.

Ovarian reserve testing

This test is carried out to ascertain the quality and quantity of the eggs present for ovulation.

Other hormone testing

Tests for ovulatory hormones and pituitary hormones that control reproductive processes are carried out.

Imaging tests

Pelvic ultrasound is conducted to check if there is any womb or fallopian tube disease. Occasionally a hysterosonography is conducted to get details of the womb that are not visible on a standard ultrasound.

Depending on your situation, rarely your testing may include:

Hysteroscopy

During hysteroscopy, the doctor inserts a small, lighted device through your cervix into your uterus to see any possible defects.

Laparoscopy

This is a slightly invasive surgery that is done under your navel and inserting a slender viewing device to estimate the woman’s fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. It is used to check for endometriosis, scarring, blockages or defects of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.

Genetic testing

Genetic testing is used to estimate if the woman has any genetic defect that causes infertility.

FSH

The level of Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is conducted between day-two and day-three of your menstrual cycle through your blood specimen. FSH is the key brain hormone that signals to your ovary to produce an egg.

Estradiol

The estradiol level test is mainly used to check the value of your estradiol. A high estradiol means that your ovaries have an advanced egg that month which signifies ovarian aging.

AMH

Your blood sample is collected and tested for AMH level. A high AMH shows good quantity of egg and a low AMH show less numbers of egg.

Infertility can lead to anxiety but you must always remain calm and avoid hasty use of very costly fertility treatments. Defer those and use them as the last resort. You require systematic examination to find out the root cause of your infertility. Nearly seven million women in the US face the problem of infertility. Not only that, it is a disease that affects both men and women; so, you are not alone. Very often, it is easy to discover infertility causes and treat them.