How Is Infertility Diagnosed/Tested?
There are many possible causes of infertility, ranging from hormone imbalances to abnormal sperm production to uterine conditions.
If you have been trying to conceive for 12+ months without success, your doctor may order a few diagnostic tests to help determine your cause of infertility. Some of these tests may include:
Blood tests to check your thyroid levels, AMH (anti-mullerian hormone), and reproductive hormone levels (progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, FSH, LH, etc.)
Note: reproductive hormone levels may need to be checked at certain stages of a woman’s menstrual cycle
A pelvic exam and ultrasound: this determines if there are certain structural abnormalities that may interfere with fertilization and implantation. An antral follicle count may also be performed to count how many small follicles are inside a woman's ovaries.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): dye is inserted into the uterus and an x-ray is used to determine the shape of the uterus and the patency (openness) of the fallopian tubes
Hysteroscopy: a small camera is inserted into the uterine cavity to look for and, in some cases, remove fibroids, polyps, scar tissue, or a uterine septum
Saline infusion sonogram (SIS): saline is injected into the uterus and an ultrasound is used to detect any abnormalities such as a uterine polyp
Karyotype: this test (blood or saliva) determines if either parent has chromosomal abnormalities, such as a translocation, that could be passed onto their offspring
Genetic carrier screening: this screening test determines if the parents are carriers of any genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, that can be passed on to their offspring
Semen analysis: this test analyzes a semen sample and records the sperm’s concentration, motility, morphology, etc.
Infectious disease screening: this blood test determines if either parent has infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, or syphilis.
Some clinics may also order additional tests depending on the results of the above-mentioned tests. In some cases, the cause of infertility remains unknown even after these tests are performed. The above-mentioned tests may not be performed on everyone. Talk with your doctor about which diagnostic tests are best for you.
Based on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine which treatment option is best for you. For example, someone with blocked fallopian tubes may be a good candidate for IVF since other treatment options would not be effective.
