Infertility is something many couples experience silently or unknowingly. But infertility is treatable with timely couple-based infertility screening. This type of screening helps the couple to conceive a child by finding the cause of infertility and getting treated. The treatment plan is also based on the test results. So, learn when you should consider a fertility test and the type of fertility tests you can expect in this article. Schedule an appointment at Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center.
What is a Infertility Screening and when to consider one?
Infertility Screening is a screening test for couples who want to start a family and would like to learn more about their reproductive health. It is also considered the first stage of treatment for infertility, as doctors create treatment plans based on the results of these tests.
These tests usually begin with understanding the couple’s medical history, lifestyle, and sex life. Then doctors have other screening tests to find out the real cause of infertility to treat it.
Usually, couples should consider fertility testing when they are already trying to conceive (for 1 year or more), if they’re under the age of 35, or for 6 months of trying after the age of 35. In case you have certain health problems that make it difficult for you to get pregnant, then you should talk with your doctor if you and your partner have a history of:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Irregular periods
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Repeated miscarriages
- Thyroid problems
- Cystic fibrosis
- Injury or trauma to your scrotum and testes.
- Problems with maintaining or getting an erection.
- Problems with ejaculation.
Types of Infertility Screening For Couples
Usually, fertility tests for couples include a consultation with the doctor about their lifestyle, medical history, and sex life to understand what can be the problem that affects their fertility. After a physical exam, doctors do some tests and procedures to find the cause that makes you and your partner infertile. It includes:
- Blood tests: This is usually recommended to check the levels of essential hormones in the body that play an essential role in your fertility (such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, progesterone, etc.) or used to check for a disease that affects your fertility such as chlamydia and rubella. Some blood tests are recommended around the woman’s menstrual period.
- Pelvic examination: The doctor uses this test to look for the signs of sexually transmitted diseases that may interfere with your infertility.
- Semen analysis:This test examines the quality and quantity of the sperm present in the semen. It is also used to check sperm motility, which means sperm movement inside the female uterus to reach the egg to fertilize it.
- BBT charting: Doctors used to record basal body temperatures in females to check ovulation.
- Postcoital test: In this test, the doctor asks the couple to have sexual intercourse and visit the doctor a few hours later. So, that doctor takes a sample of cervical mucus to check the viability of the sperm and how it interacts with the cervical mucus.
- Transvaginal (pelvic) Ultrasound exam: An ultrasound is recommended because it allows the doctor to see inside the ovaries and uterus. This type of ultrasound gives the idea of how many of the follicles within the ovary are working properly. It is usually performed 2 weeks after a woman’s menstrual period.
- Hysterosalpingogram or HSG: In this test, a doctor performs a series of X-rays to check if fallopian tubes are open or blocked by injecting a liquid dye into the uterus through the vagina. The dye is visible in X-rays and detects blockages or uterine defects.
- Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscope is used to check any issues that cause infertility. In this test, a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube through the vagina into the uterus to look inside the uterus.
- Laparoscopy: A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where a doctor makes an incision in the abdomen to look inside of endometrial scarring in this test. A doctor performed this test under general anesthesia.
What Can Happen during The Test?
Testing for infertility usually begins with a doctor asking questions about your medical history and doing a physical exam. It may take several months for your doctor to find the cause of your fertility problems, so don’t get disappointed if you don’t get an answer right away.
Fertility tests for a woman:
Your doctor may conduct a pelvic exam. Then, they also use an ultrasound to look at your ovaries and uterus, and a blood test to check your hormones. Sometimes, they also ask you to start tracking your ovulation patterns by checking signs like cervical mucus, taking your temperature, or looking at your home ovulation tests. Other tests and procedures recommended after the first exams don’t provide the main cause of infertility.
A special test called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is used to see if the fallopian tubes are open or blocked. A doctor will put a special dye in your uterus, and then use an X-ray machine to watch the dye moving inside your uterus through fallopian tubes. In some cases, infertility testing also requires minor surgeries to look inside your body. Then the doctor uses special tools to check your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus for problems.
Fertility tests for a man:
Your doctor may perform a physical exam and ask him to give a semen for analysis. Semen will be tested for:
- Sperm count (how many active sperm your partner has)
- How quickly the sperm can move
- The size, shape, and quality of the sperm.
- The amount of seminal fluid
Doctors also suggest taking a blood test to check hormonal problems, which can be the reason for infertility.
Couple-based infertility screening allows couples a guide for better fertility results or helps them to understand the reason they failed to conceive and get appropriate treatment to improve their results. These screenings help the doctor to find health conditions, hormone imbalances, reproductive organs, etc. which get treated with infertility treatment options.
Get an infertility screening now to ensure you have a healthy child, visit our gynecology clinic in Brooklyn to get the best medical support for your fertility problems. At Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center, we have the best GYN doctor in Brooklyn, and we provide women with quality health care services. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call us on 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at Gynecology – Doral Health & Wellness Brooklyn NY.
