Testing for Women

When Should Women Be Tested For Infertility?

Fertility testing for women is recommended based on medical and family history, as well as age.

Family and medical histories can point to a potential cause of infertility that may have already been identified. It may be a genetic condition passed down through a family or due to a pelvic surgery you may have had when you were younger. Your fertility specialist may recommend specific fertility tests based on this information.

Age can also indicate that it’s time for you to undergo fertility testing. Women who are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year should reach out to a fertility specialist for testing. If you are 35 years old or older, it’s recommended you get fertility testing after six months of trying to conceive. Women over 40 should get fertility testing after three months of trying to conceive.

How Long Does Fertility Testing Take?

Fertility testing for women takes, on average, a few menstrual cycles to complete. This gives your specialist a chance to get all the information they need during different points in your cycle, including ovulation, to assess your fertility accurately.

Fertility Tests For Women

Fertility testing covers a variety of diagnostic tests and exams. Depending on how much information your fertility specialist needs, you may undergo all of these tests or just some.

Pelvic Exam

Your specialist will likely begin by performing a pelvic and gynecological exam. This is a standard exam you may receive at your annual gynecologist visit. It gives your fertility specialist a chance to identify any cause of infertility that can be discovered during an exam.

Blood Tests

There are a variety of fertility blood tests that your provider may recommend. These blood tests may measure your hormone levels. If your hormone levels are too high or too low, this can affect your fertility.

Other blood tests your provider may perform include measuring your Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. FSH levels determine if a woman is still producing eggs that can be fertilized. AMH levels let your fertility specialist determine the reserve of eggs you may have available.

Imaging

Sometimes, there is a structural reason that women struggle with infertility.  

Imaging, like pelvic ultrasounds, can help your fertility specialist identify conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, and ovarian cysts that can affect fertility. Sometimes, an ultrasound is conducted with fluid inside the uterus to measure the uterine walls, called a sonohysterogram.

Hysterosalpingograms (HSG) are an x-ray procedure that provides a visual of your fallopian tubes. During an HSG, your provider will inject a dye into your uterus and fallopian tubes and perform an x-ray. This allows your fertility specialist to identify anatomical conditions, such as blocked fallopian tubes, that can cause fertility issues.

A diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are surgical procedures that allow your fertility specialist to feed a camera into your reproductive system and examine your reproductive organs. During a diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, your provider may remove fibroids or polyps that they find or take a tissue sample to confirm the presence of a condition such as endometriosis. Fibroids, polyps, and endometriosis can all affect your fertility.

Schedule A Fertility Assessment Today

Your fertility specialist can help you find out the cause of your infertility and create a treatment plan unique to your specific circumstances. We’re here to help you navigate your fertility journey and walk you through it every step of the way. Contact The Fertility Institute to schedule a fertility assessment today.