What are the type of female fertility tests?
Infertility is when a couple cannot get pregnant (conceive) despite having regular unprotected sex.
Being diagnosed with infertility can have a significantly negative impact on the lives of both men and women who are trying to conceive – often causing couples to feel hopeless. Individuals that are diagnosed with infertility can develop mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Research suggests that between 48 million couples, and 186 million individuals live with infertility globally. [1]
WHAT CAUSES FERTILITY PROBLEMS?
There can be many different causes for infertility, in both the male and female reproductive systems. For 1 in 4 couples, a cause cannot be identified.
In women, infertility is commonly caused by problems with ovulation (the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries). Some problems prevent an egg from being released at all, while others will prevent an egg from being released during some cycles, but not others. A condition called polycystic ovary syndrome is usually the main cause. [2]
There can also be numerous other causes for infertility in women – some of the most common ones being:
- Ovulation disorders
- Uterine or cervical abnormalities
- Fallopian tube damage
- Endometriosis
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause)
- Pelvic adhesions
- Cancer and its treatment
Age can also play a contributing factor. When a woman is in her mid-30s, fertility will gradually decline, and the rate of follicle loss speeds up, resulting in fewer and poorer quality eggs. After the age of 35, fertility will rapidly drop, and the chances of having a miscarriage will increase. [3]
There can also be other reasons for female infertility that may affect a woman’s ability to conceive naturally [4]. These can include:
- Smoking
- Excess alcohol use
- Stress
- Being overweight or underweight
- Sexually transmitted infections
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF INFERTILITY?
In women, the main symptom is not getting pregnant. A menstrual cycle that’s too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you’re not ovulating. There may be no other signs or symptoms.
HOW TO TEST FOR INFERTILITY
A doctor will usually start by going over your medical history. They’ll ask about the current state of your health, your sexual history, and any existing conditions or illnesses that could contribute to infertility.
They’ll then perform an examination of your pelvic area to check for abnormalities such as fibrosis, or conditions such as endometriosis or PID.
This will then be followed up by a doctor checking to see if you’re ovulating every month. This can be determined by an at-home ovulation testing kit or through blood testing at a doctor’s office. [5]
Other common tests for women can include:
- Ultrasound
- Hysterosalpingography
- Laparoscopy
- Ovarian reserve testing
It’s important to note that infertility affects men and women equally, so it’s a good idea for both partners to get tested at the same time.
For men, tests such as semen analysis, hormone testing, and genital ultrasound can be performed.
Most of the risks mentioned above may also interfere with men’s reproductive health.
TREATMENT FOR INFERTILITY
Once a doctor has diagnosed you with infertility and pinpointed the cause, there are a variety of treatment options. The type of treatment you will need depends on the cause of infertility. For example, structural problems may be treated through surgery, while hormonal medications can be used for other issues, such as ovulation problems or thyroid conditions.
Many women will require intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) to treat their infertility. [6]
If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for over a year to no avail, then it may be time to get evaluated and seek treatment. Click on this link here for more information about our professional team, who will be glad to help you.
SOURCES:
[2] causes of infertility - NHS - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
[3] Infertility - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
[4] The Causes of Female Infertility - IVI UK
[5] Infertility: Male Causes, Female Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments & More (healthline.com)
[6] Infertility Causes: Types, Risk Factors, Diagnosis & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)
