If you are seeing symptoms of infertility, you may want to consider giving fertility tests a try. We at IVF Spring Centre understand that it can get a bit awkward to discuss your sex life, the thought of seeing infertility symptoms and then deciding to go for fertility test for women can create a sense of worry, but just relax! We are here to help you, just grab something healthy to eat and keep reading regarding fertility test for women.
Tests for female infertility are referred to as fertility test for women.
When to consider fertility test for women?
You can consider fertility test when you think you are showing symptoms of infertility, you want to know if you are infertile or not or you at most want to get some advice on optimizing your chances of natural conception. Read this instructive blog post to look out for signs of infertility- http://ivfspring.com/blog/7-infertility-signs-to-lookout-for/
How is a fertility test for women takes place?
For female infertility to be diagnosed, a comprehensive appointment with the fertility specialist should take place first, during the appointment session the specialist will first interview the patient and then run some basics tests. Your medical history, lifestyle will be discussed extensively. Topics like birth control use, menstrual, pregnancy history, current and past sexual practices, medications used, surgical history and other health issues will be discussed.
Note – If you had contact with chemicals, toxins, or radiation at home or work, feel free to share it with your doctor.
Before going for a fertility test for women jot down the answer to these questions:
- Am I facing any problem having sex?
- Am I having irregular and missed periods over the last year?
- Which methods of birth control have I used?
- Did I get any treatment done?
- When I am having periods, do I see any changes in blood flow or the appearance of large blood clots?
- How often I indulge in sex?
- Am I using an illicit drug?
‘’Be honest with your answers and make sure you initiate the conversation with your fertility doctor. Don’t be afraid to tell about anything that is worrying you or anything you have questions about’’.
After the discussion is over, a thorough physical examination process will be done in which areas such as your thyroid, breasts, and hair growth will be looked at. A pelvic exam is also an important part of evaluating fertility along with a pap smear/Pap test (is a method to test for cervical cancer in women, problems with the cervix or sexually transmitted diseases). During a pelvic exam your vulva and your internal reproductive organs- your vagina, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus are examined. This exam is not at all painful and takes only about 5 -6 minutes.
Remember- you can have your first pelvic exam once you hit age 21 unless other health issues require it earlier.
After your physical examination part and the first appointment is done, your doctor may want you to proceed with some initial testing. This initial testing will evaluate things such as if ovulation (when a mature egg is released from the ovary and is made available to be fertilized) is occurring when it should be occurring, uterine function during the ovulation process. To get pregnant, you need to release an egg each month termed as ‘’ovulation’’.
You can now track your ovulation cycle through these ovulation tracker apps for getting pregnant –https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/ovulation/fertile-days/the-10-best-period-and-ovulation-tracker-apps/ (read this blog post to know about the ovulation tracker apps)
Hormonal tests, gynaecological tests, chromosome testing are some basic tests done in the fertility test for women process. Hormonal tests revolve around through hormone tests, used to check the patients’ sex hormones as well as hormones that play a key role in the menstrual cycle. Gynaecological tests will evaluate the anatomy of the uterus and if the ovaries are working properly, this is done using ultrasound tests that check the condition of the uterus & ovaries, whereas chromosome testing (karyotyping) will dismiss the possibility for a chromosomal alteration to be present.
‘’ Hormone blood test ultimate goal is to evaluate if your ovaries and pituitary gland are working properly’’.
Hormone test includes the following:
- Luteinizing Hormone or Lutropin (LH) – Its role is to control the menstrual cycle along with FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone). This hormone shows up in high levels just before you ovulate
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – secreted by the pituitary gland, FSH is responsible for stimulating the ovaries and causes the follicles to grow. High FSH levels suggest you have lessened chances of getting pregnant. FSH blood levels get checked early in your menstrual cycle (often on day three)
- Estradiol – It is released by the cells that surround the egg as it matures inside the follicle
- Progesterone – It is secreted by the follicle that remains in the ovary following ovulation in order for the endometrial lining to prepare for embryo implantation. Increases in progesterone show that you are ovulating
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AHM) – It is a hormone test that can be done at any time in the menstrual cycles, as your AMH levels are stable throughout the cycle. Understanding the AMH levels can help assess your ovarian egg reserve, fertility. It gives an idea of how many eggs are left in the ovaries.
Blood tests to evaluate hormones such as Prolactin, TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), free thyroxine, total testosterone, free triiodothyronine (FT3) may also be required. These are not sex hormones, but if their levels are above or below the average, they can have a negative impact on the hormones that control the menstrual cycle and the ovulation.
‘’ Two blood tests are required to have these hormones checked, one at the starting of the menstrual cycle, and another one at the end’’.
Note- Your doctor will discuss with you which test options are best for you in your situation, you may not need to do all tests.
‘’Before you get pregnant, your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries all need to work right’’.
Additional fertility test for women:
- Laparoscopy – This procedure involves the use of a narrow fibre-optic telescope under. The laparoscope is inserted into a woman’s abdomen to give a view of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Through this method problems such as endometriosis (a disease that affects the uterus) can be corrected. It is crucial to confirm that you are not pregnant before this test is performed
- Hysteroscopy- Your doctor puts a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end through the cervix and into the uterus, which allows seeing any abnormalities, growths, or scarring in the uterus. The doctor can take tissue samples if needed
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) – It is also called as ‘’tubogram”. This is an x-ray of your uterus and fallopian tubes. The x-rays are taken after your fertility doctor injects liquid dye through the vagina
- Endometrial biopsy – This method is performed to determine if the lining is thick enough for a fertilized egg to implant in and grow. You should not be pregnant before this test is performed
Fertility test for women Cost:
The fertility test for women cost varies based on the test, also based on the fertility clinic you opt for your fertility test for women. Common testing cost range starts from $50 to$200 or more for blood tests for the female to check the levels of hormones that promote the maturation and release of eggs.
Contact IVF Spring Fertility Clinic
Everything you want to know about the fertility test will be answered by our expert team of professionals. Feel free to connect us! You reading this content indicate that you are already one step ahead in your fertility journey, as reading accurate information makes you well prepared before coming to our fertility clinic- IVF Spring Center and this is what we want from you!