A couple should visit the doctor if they are unable to conceive despite having unprotective sex for a year. If there is some problem with the conception, the healthcare provider might suggest taking fertility tests to know where the problem is.
A fertility test can help a woman diagnose the cause of infertility if she has been trying to conceive and cannot. Once the cause has been identified, the condition can be properly treated, and her chances of conceiving increase.
If you can not conceive, you must seek expert advice. There are separate fertility tests for men and women. Here in this article, we will discuss women’s fertility tests. If you are unable to conceive, you must visit the healthcare provider for treatment. To get expert advice, you can consult the Best Gynecologist in Lahore.
Tests Involved:
Fertility tests for women often involve:
- A detailed medical history
- Blood tests to evaluate the hormone levels
- Ovarian reserve test to evaluate the number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries
- Pelvic examination
- Minimally invasive procedures
Medical History
At the initial visit to the hospital, the fertility specialist may inquire about the woman’s health and sexual history. Good knowledge of the patient’s sexual practices and past medical history is an essential step to help a physician reach a good diagnosis. A medical history will provide information for the doctor to determine if further testing should be conducted.
Sonography (Ultrasound Imaging)
Once the fertility specialist completes the medical and sexual history, they may perform a sonogram (image produced by ultrasound echo) of the woman’s pelvic area. It is done to determine any issues that cause infertility. The pelvic ultrasound can diagnose several problems like an abnormally shaped uterus or cysts in the ovaries.
Hormone Blood Tests
Blood tests can be done during a woman’s menstrual cycle to measure hormone levels in the blood.
Blood tests help the doctor determine if the woman is producing high-quality eggs and if the brain sends proper hormonal signals to the ovaries.
Different hormones can be evaluated to diagnose infertility. An evaluation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels is a common test for women. Other possible blood tests for hormones include anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol.
Ovarian Reserve Test
Ovarian reserve test can help the physician assess the number of eggs a woman has in her ovaries. These tests are usually suggested if a woman has a high chance of having a depleted ovarian reserve. The following are the risks associated with having a depleted number of eggs in an ovary :
- Age 35 or older
- Family history of early menopause
- Previous reproductive surgery
- Having only one ovary
- Previous gonadotropin ovarian stimulation
However, having them does not guarantee infertility. But they can contribute to infertility.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery to examine the abdominal cavity. The doctor inserts a small camera and little surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity through a small incision in the belly button. This process is used to evaluate and treat endometriosis or remove any uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts which may be a cause of infertility in women.
Hysterosalpingogram
A hysterosalpingogram is a procedure where an X-ray image of a woman’s fallopian tubes and uterus helps to detect an abnormality. The fertility specialist inserts a catheter containing dye into the cervix. This procedure can help locate polyps and fibroids in the uterus or fallopian tubes.
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical way of viewing and diagnosing polyps and fibroids in the uterus by inserting a small camera in the cervix. Hysteroscopy can diagnose abnormalities in the uterine cavity, such as polyps, fibroids, and uterine septa (divided uterus).
The Bottom Line
If you can not conceive despite one year of unprotected sex, you should consult a doctor soon. They can detect the cause and treat it. In this way, you might conceive. Fertility tests play an essential role in knowing the exact cause of infertility. If you have any gynecological issues, you must visit the healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can consult Gynecologist in Karachi.
