Fertility Testing 101: What to Expect and When to Seek Help

Health Tourism can provide more insight on what to expect in Fertility Testing 101. But to enjoy the full benefits of medical tourism, it is best to seek the services of a trusted meditour agency like Anavara.  

A diagnosis of infertility has the potential of ruining a couple’s future and is considered a serious issue. However, infertility is not as grave as is usually imagined. While a woman is usually considered infertile after about 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse without any pregnancies, 12 months may not mean much eventually. It is also possible for the woman to conceive in the second year.  

Infertility can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on couples. Many infertility-affected couples may feel isolated, guilty, and ashamed of themselves. The relationship may suffer as a result of these difficult-to-manage feelings. In order to manage these emotions and a strong connection, couples must seek counseling and emotional support. Couples can overcome the difficulties of infertility and find a way forward with the right help.

When to go to the doctor

While it is normal for it to take up to a year for the woman to get pregnant, however, if the couple has been trying to get pregnant for more than a year with no result, it may be advisable for the couple to seek medical help. Some certain health problems can make getting pregnant more difficult. In such cases, the couple should not wait for a year to talk to a doctor. Some examples of the issue include:

• Thyroid problems
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Irregular periods
• Cystic fibrosis
• Injuries to the scrotum or testes
• Inability to get an erection
• Problems ejaculating

Some doctors recommend that women over 35 should seek infertility testing about six months after trying to get pregnant.  

What happens during a doctor’s visit?

When a woman is concerned about her fertility, the best course of action is usually to make an appointment with a doctor, preferably a specialist in fertility issues. It is also crucial to go along with their partners. The doctor will usually ask them about their general health and habits. The questions, while they may seem intruding and awkward are very essential in evaluating if there are any issues and the causes of them. In most cases, infertility is a result of a combination of issues that may be found in either partner, and this is the reason for the thorough examinations. The doctor might inquire about things like the following.

• The medical history of the couple
• The use of any prescription medication
• Their history of exposure to any chemicals, radiation, or poisons
• Their daily habits and lifestyle
• Their exercise routine and activity levels
• Their sexual habits, including how often they have sex, their sexual problems, any history of sexually transmitted diseases, or any sexual relations outside the relationship
• Underwear choices, especially for men

The doctor will also enquire about the woman’s gynecologic history, some of the questions they may ask include:

• If the woman has been pregnant previously and the outcome of the pregnancy
• The period pattern of the woman and the frequency of it
• If there have been any irregular or missed periods or spotting between periods
• About any changes of flow or appearance of very large blood clots
• About the birth control methods employed if any
• About any previous visits to a fertility expert and their recommendations and treatments

It is also crucial in the instance of previous visits to fertility experts, to carry all the medical records, diagnostic images, and any other prescription or recommendations documents, to the current fertility expert. In the instance that the couple’s country of residence is not advanced in fertility treatments, they can seek overseas medical treatment in the form of medical tourism. They can do this through a meditour agency or a medical travel agency that specializes in health tourism.

Tests

After the consultations with doctors, the next step is to begin the physical examination and tests to check the levels of hormones and other factors. The physical exam will include a pelvic examination to look for any symptoms of a transmitted sexual infection chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other genital infections that may contribute to the fertility problem. The doctor will suggest a semen analysis for the male partner to check the indices of the semen, like the number, shape, and motility of the sperm. The doctor will schedule other blood tests around the menstrual cycle of the woman. 

They may test the follicle-stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone, which must be carried out on the second or third day of the woman’s cycle. The woman may need to come in for further tests, especially on the seventh day after their ovulation. The doctor will also test the progesterone and estradiol levels and compare them with the levels previously gotten on days 2 and 3 of the cycle.

What other tests can be done in infertility situations?

Postcoital test 

This requires that the couple engage in unprotected sexual intercourse several hours before the woman goes to the test. The doctor will then take a sample of the cervical mucus for microscopic examination. This test can determine the sperm’s viability as well as how it interacts with the cervical mucus. 

Transvaginal ultrasound exam 

This may be recommended by the specialist, it is done to check the condition of the uterus and ovaries. Often the doctor will be able to determine if the follicles in the ovary are working optimally. The ultrasound is often performed about 15 days before a woman’s expected menstrual period.

 Hysterosalpingogram 

This is also known as HSG or tubogram. In this procedure, a series of X-rays are taken of the fallopian tube after a contrasting dye has been injected into the uterus through the cervix and vagina. It can help highlight areas of blockages and defects in the uterus. This test is usually scheduled between 6-13 days of their cycle. 

Some other tests include:

• Hysteroscopy
• Laparoscopy
• Endometrial biopsy

The doctor will advise on the particular test the woman will undergo; not all women undergo all these tests. After the testing, most infertile couples will have an idea about why they are not pregnant and will also be given a solution or a way to get around it. In the case that all the solutions do not result in a pregnancy, the couple could seek to find out how surrogacy can help. 

What are the treatment options available for infertility?

Infertility can be treated in several ways, depending on the underlying cause and the individual’s circumstances. Intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), surgery to address structural problems, and ovulation-stimulating drugs are some of the most popular therapies. To choose the best solution for your unique circumstances, it’s crucial to examine these possibilities with a licensed healthcare professional. 

Surrogacy can also be a helpful solution for the couple regardless of the nature of their infertility. The fertilized egg can be harvested from them, and they get fully involved in the surrogate selection process. When the baby is born, they can fully start their new family.