What to Expect in a Fertility Test
The definition of infertility is not conceiving after a year of unprotected intercourse. If you are having trouble getting pregnant, the first step is to make an appointment for a consultation with a fertility specialist. Younger women might wait a year before making that appointment while older women might wait just a few months if at all. Women with a known history of infertility or known risk factors such as not ovulating or endometriosis might not wait at all either.
At that first appointment, our board certified fertility doctor will learn all about you by asking a lot of questions and reviewing your (and your partner’s) entire medical history. Usually, the doctor will also want to do some initial testing to get a better understanding of any issues you might have. This testing will help determine the best course of action for moving forward.
Male Fertility Testing
For the male, testing is very straight forward and involves a semen analysis. A semen analysis will check to see how many sperm there are, how many of them are moving and how well they are moving, and how pretty they look under the microscope. To perform a semen analysis, the male will ejaculate into a cup which will then be taken to the laboratory for further testing. Usually the collection will either occur in a private area in the doctor’s office or at the partner’s home and will be immediately brought into the office for examination.
Female Fertility Testing
For the female, there are a few fertility tests that need to be done to have a full picture of any issues. To evaluate the ovaries, there is blood testing done on the third day of the menstrual cycle to measure hormone levels. There is also an ultrasound done vaginally to count the number of eggs, or follicles, there are in the ovaries that month. The uterus can also be looked at with that same ultrasound. To see if the cavity of the uterus where the baby grows is normal and if the fallopian tubes are open, a hysterosalpingogram is performed. This is a special study done in radiology where we watch dye under x-ray go into the uterus, fill the fallopian tubes, and spill out the end. Finally, there are a few blood tests to make sure you are well and healthy and have no underlying medical condition that can affect your fertility.
After Fertility Testing
After all the testing is completed, you will meet with the fertility doctor again to go over each result one by one. We really want to make sure you completely understand everything. At that point, we can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different fertility treatments and we will make some recommendations specifically for you. Importantly, because we are a wellness center and provide the most comprehensive infertility care in Southern California, we will also go over different wellness solutions that we have.
Fertility Testing at Reproduction Health and Wellness Center
Everything we do at Reproductive Health and Wellness Center is individualized and is based on you, your history, your test results, and most importantly, your goals. Don’t as yourself how to check infertility from home. We offer new patient consultation and have the most affordable price for fertility treatments. To make an appointment for an affordable fertility test call our office at 949-516-0606.
At Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, we are experts at treating fertility issues. We provide the latest in cutting-edge embryo science by using the latest technologies, and we create innovative fertility plans tailored specifically to each individual. But we’re so much more.
