How to Test a Woman's Fertility

 How to Check a Woman's Fertility

     Women's and fertility issues are serious concerns for many couples because it is a potentially dramatically life-changing diagnosis that you would normally imagine yourself to be.

But infertility is not as bad as you think. Even though I individually could be considered infertile after a whole year of trying to conceive, a year probably doesn't mean much.

One recent study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that the majority of women up to 39 years of age who did not become pregnant in their first year, became pregnant in their second year -- without hep treatment. For women between the ages of 27 and 34, only 6% were unable to get pregnant in their 2nd year. And for women ages 35 to 39, only 9% can't get pregnant in their second year -- provided their partner is under 40.

So, even if you've been trying to get pregnant for a year, it doesn't mean you're infertile. Resist the temptation to rush through expensive infertility treatments before you need them.

What is Fertility Testing for Women?

A woman should consider fertility testing if she has been actively trying to conceive, by having regular unprotected sexual intercourse with her partner, for more than one year. If a woman is 35 years of age or older, she should consider a fertility test after 6 months of trying to conceive. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects both men and women, so both partners should be tested.

Fertility tests on women help identify the triggers for infertility, so that the condition can be treated appropriately and the couple has a chance to get pregnant. Fertility testing for women typically involves:

- Pelvic examination

-Discussion of your medical history, especially to check your ovulation or menstrual cycle problems

-Minimally invasive procedures, such as ultrasound imaging (sonogram) and surgery, to identify structural triggers for infertility.

-Blood tests to check your hormone levels and ovarian reserve (the best number of eggs remaining in a woman's ovaries).

When Should You Take A Fertility Test?

For 2 people to conceive a child, both partners' bodies must contribute. However, if you and your partner try to conceive but fail for a year or more, both the male and female partners should have a fertility test done. As a woman, there are many tests that you can pass.

You should take the test if you do not become pregnant after a year of unprotected unprotected sex. However, it may also be suitable to be tested beforehand if:

-Your age is more than 35

-You have a problem with your uterus, fallopian tubes or abdominal cavity.

-You experience an abnormal menstrual cycle or a missed menstrual cycle pattern

Women's Fertility Check

The first step in diagnosing female fertility is making a complete appointment with a fertility doctor. Throughout this appointment, your medical history and lifestyle will be discussed extensively. Topics such as contraceptive use, menstrual and pregnancy history, current and past sexual practices, medications used, surgical history, other health problems and what your lifestyle and work/living environment are like will be covered.

A thorough physical exam will also be performed. Areas such as thyroid, breast, and hair growth will be examined. The pelvic test is also an important part of the female fertility test, along with the Pap smear.

After this first appointment, the female fertility doctor may want to continue with some initial checks. This initial test will check things like whether ovulation occurred, when it should occur, ovarian function, and uterine function during ovulation.

Ideally, you have started tracking ovulation through a fertility awareness or fertility monitor. This will offer your reproductive doctor with valuable information about your ovulation. Usually one of the first questions about female fertility is whether you are ovulating or not.

Ovulation Testing May be Broken Down Into Types:

-Ovulation test—to confirm whether ovulation is occurring by looking through a temperature chart, using an ovulation predictor kit and blood and ultrasound tests.

-Ovarian function test- This test aims to see how the hormones function and work throughout the ovulation cycle. Tests include FSH Day 3 (measures follicle-stimulating hormone), Day 3 Estradiol (measures estrogen), ultrasound (to confirm the appearance of ovulation) and blood tests to show the stage of inhibin B.

-Luteal Phase Test- The test will check for progesterone levels, more extensive hormone testing, and possibly an endometrial biopsy.

-Hormone tests: Almost all of these tests will revolve around a comprehensive hormone test. (americanpregnancy.org)

The Process isn’t Always Easy or Cheap

Getting all of these tests isn't always easy. A woman from New York recently underwent a fertility test as she and her husband had been trying to conceive for almost a year.

Blood tests were initially done at the ob-gyn office, but she was referred elsewhere for a hysterosalpingography, and then to an endocrinologist for her husband's semen analysis. The problem with the whole process is that 3 different medical offices are required to carry out this test. And he felt they never got a clear picture of their fertility prospects by doing all the tests together.

In addition, many insurance companies will not cover fertility testing for women under 35 unless they have been trying to get pregnant for a full year. For women 35 years and over, the test is usually done after the partner has been trying for 6 months. How much does an infertility examination cost?

If a woman just wants to know her AMH level, she can ask her doctor at a women's fertility center, or insurance company if this test will be covered. Home supplies are in the $100 to $200 range, while costs at a doctor's office or at a fertility clinic can vary. Some companies will credit a woman's testing costs against the price of egg freezing or IVF, if she decides to go with either option.

Last Word

Several tests performed on female to check for her infertility should be carried out in a focused, and cost-effective manner, to find all the factors involved, and should include both male and female partners. The least invasive method, which can detect the most common causes of infertility should be done first. The speed and extent of evaluation have to take into account partner preference, woman's age, length of infertility, and unique features of the medical history and physical examination.