Fertility Tests

A woman who has failed to conceive after 12 months is typically advised to undergo various female fertility tests to diagnose the underlying cause of infertility. On the other hand, if she is over 35, she should seek help after 6 months.
However, fertility tests, such as ovulation tests that can be taken at home, can also be used by women who are just starting preparing to get pregnant in order to get a sense of their ovulatory patterns and fertile window so that they can time it with intercourse more accurately.
Keep on reading to learn everything about home and medical fertility tests that can help you take control of your fertility and bring you that much closer to a healthy pregnant.

Based on the collected information, he or she might order one or several fertility tests:
Pap Smear :

It is a standard gynecological procedure consisting of taking samples of cells from the surface of the cervix. It can show cervical problems or undiagnosed sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can cause fertility problems.

Blood Tests:
Because most fertility problems are rooted in hormonal imbalance, a standard doctor’s work-up will include a comprehensive screening of hormone levels. Fertility blood tests can check if ovulation is occurring, rule out other underlying endocrine disorders, and verify the state of the ovarian reserve, particularly the egg count.
• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is the most common egg count blood test. The hormone is produced by the developing ovarian follicles. Low AMH levels signal low egg count as the cause of fertility problems.
• Day 3 FSH blood test checks follicle-stimulating hormone levels, which in the beginning of the cycle, should be low. High FSH levels on day 3 indicate that ovulation might not be occurring properly. Another variation of an FSH test is done in combination with timed administration of the fertility medication clomiphene citrate for more accurate results.
• Estradiol (a form of estrogen) blood test verifies if the hormone is rising in the first part of the cycle as it is produced by the follicles. Low estradiol levels mean low ovarian reserve.
Other standard blood tests might include a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and thyroid hormone levels (TSH, T4, T3), all of which will provide insight of a woman’s overall health status.

Diagnostic Examinations:
Infertility investigations typically start with a transvaginal ultrasound, which along with the AMH lab test, is the most common fertility test. Other diagnostic procedures are added as necessary to reach a final diagnosis.
• Transvaginal ultrasound is used to perform an egg count test called the antral follicle count, which gives a view of the number of ovarian follicles that were recruited for maturation. It helps determine if fertility issues are due to low ovarian reserve. Through an ultrasound, a doctor can also check for anatomical abnormalities in the uterus and ovaries that might be the culprit of infertility.
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a test during which a dye is injected through the cervix, and a series of X-rays are taken to locate blockage or damage to the reproductive organs that might prevent pregnancy.
• Hysteroscopy is a follow-up procedure when some abnormalities were found with HSG. It is done by inserting a scope with a camera into the uterus to provide a clear view of possible scarring, blockage, or other problems, such as endometriosis or PCOS.
• Laparoscopy is similar to a hysteroscopy with the exception that if abnormal growth or scarring is found during a laparoscopy, it can be immediately removed. This procedure is done under general anesthesia.
• Endometrial biopsy is done to ensure that the endometrial lining’s thickness is sufficient to support a fertilized egg and the fetus. It consists of taking a sample of the endometrium right before a woman’s period.