How Is Female Infertility Typically Diagnosed
You are of productive age, and you have been trying to get pregnant for six months to a year without success. Perhaps it is time to get an appointment with a fertility doctor. This specialist will evaluate you and your partner. They will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. Their goal is also to appoint a treatment if infertility is discovered.
Female infertility is a relatively common issue that affects millions of women worldwide. It is typically defined as the inability to conceive after one year of sexual relations. The causes of Infertility could be:
- Ovulatory disorders
- Endometriosis
- Uterine infections
- Tubal abnormalities
- Other unexplained infertility factors.
To be able to treat it effectively, it is essential to know the cause of the infertility issue. This article will look at the typical ways to diagnose female infertility.
- Medical History: the diagnosis of female infertility begins by taking a detailed medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions about the frequency and duration of your menstrual cycle; if you have had any previous pregnancies; if you have undergone any surgeries; if you are taking any medications; and if you have any other medical conditions. The fertility specialist may also ask you about your sexual history and if you have suffered from any sexually transmitted diseases in the past.
- Physical Exam and Imaging: The doctor will give you a physical exam to look for signs of any undiagnosed medical conditions. As part of this exam, the doctor will conduct an ultrasound pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities in the reproductive organs. Sometimes a sonohysterogram, also called a saline infusion sonogram, or a hysteroscopy, is used to see details inside the uterus that can't be seen on a regular ultrasound.
- Ovulation Testing: Ovulatory disorders are one of the most common reasons for female infertility. The diagnoses of these are made through ovulation testing. An over-the-counter kit that can be purchased from the pharmacy detects the increase in luteinizing hormone that happens before ovulation. And a blood test measures the level of progesterone, a hormone that should be surging after ovulation. Additionally, the doctor may give you an ultrasound test to monitor the growth of follicles in the ovaries.
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An HSG is an X-ray test that checks for blockages in the fallopian tubes. During the test, a coloring agent, or contrast, is injected into the uterus, and an X-ray is taken to see if it passes freely through the fallopian tubes.[2]
- Ovarian reserve testing: This test determines the quality and quantity of eggs available for ovulation. Women older than 35 or those at risk of a depleted egg supply undergo this kind of blood and imaging test.
- Laparoscopy: This is a procedure where a thin tube with a camera at the end (laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. It is used to identify endometriosis, scarring tissue, blockages, or other issues with the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, and the uterus. [1]
- Genetic testing: there are cases where a genetic disorder causes infertility. This type of testing can identify any abnormalities that may be the underlying causes of infertility.
Diagnosing female infertility is a complex process that may involve a number of tests and procedures. At Gynem, we can help determine which tests are appropriate based on your specific situation. With a proper diagnosis, we can develop an effective infertility treatment plan to increase your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.
Sources:
- Female infertility - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. (2021, August 27). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/diagno...
- Schankath, A., Fasching, N., Urech-Ruh, C., Hohl, M., & Kubik-Huch, R. A. (2012). Hysterosalpingography in the workup of female infertility: indications, technique and diagnostic findings. Insights Into Imaging, 3(5), 475–483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-012-0183-y
