How Is Infertility Diagnosed

Diagnosing infertility

Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after 12 months of trying for women under 35 years of age, and after 6 months of trying for women 35 years of age and older. About 80% of infertility is caused by ovulation issues, sperm issues, or fallopian tube issues.

The goal of infertility testing is to answer which of these may be responsible for the couple's inability to get pregnant. Most of these tests can be completed within 6 weeks. Here are some questions that should be explored:

Timing of sex: Are you having enough sex, and at the right time?

Ovulation: Are you ovulating normally? Do you have typical signs of ovulation? Are the eggs of good enough quality? 

Fertile days: Are you calculating the days when you are most fertile? Check out our ovulation and calculator.

Fertility charting: Consider charting your temperature, cervical mucus changes, and signs of ovulation.

7-10 Days after ovulation progesterone test: This is a blood test drawn about 7-10 days after ovulation at a time when progesterone levels peak. A good level of progesterone (usually above 10 ng/ml) usually confirms ovulation.

Blood tests for her

Cycle Day 3: FSH Levels: FSH is a pituitary-gland hormone that normally increases as menopause approaches and the ovary begins to show signs of aging. Blood is drawn as close as possible to day 3 of the cycle. A high level suggests that the ovaries are not responding well to brain signals and do not develop follicles for ovulation. A high FSH may mean that chances for achieving pregnancy are poor.

Prolactin: a pituitary-gland hormone that may go up in women with small benign growths of the pituitary gland and those on certain medications.

Thyroid tests: help to determine if there may be a problem with the thyroid, where there is not enough or too much thyroid hormone.

Testosterone, DHEAS, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone: Androgens (male hormones) that may be useful to check in women.

Tests for him

A sperm analysis is a test done usually in a male infertility clinic or a urologist's office. The ejaculate is obtained through masturbation, placed in a sterile collection cup, and brought to the laboratory. The best results are obtained when the man abstains for three days, and the sample arrives at the lab within an hour of ejaculation. The sample is then evaluated for volume, sperm count, motility (how many are swimming) and morphology (how many are a normal shape). Although normal values vary between laboratories, a normal count is typically >20 million/mL and normal motility and morphology are >50%. This test is done to rule out male causes for infertility and to see if the couple might benefit from treatment such as artificial insemination.

Fallopian tube patency testing

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): The HSG is an X-ray test in which dye is injected through the cervix and up into the uterus and fallopian tubes, while the doctor watches on a video screen. The HSG is usually done in the first half of the menstrual cycle, between the end of the menstrual period and before ovulation. The HSG is useful in determining if the fallopian tubes are open and if the cavity of the uterus is a normal shaped. There is a slight increase in fertility after this test.

Laparoscopy: A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which a telescope is inserted into the abdomen, usually in the area around the belly button, and the pelvic organs are examined. This is usually done under general anesthesia, but in some instances is done under local anesthesia only. A laparoscopy is 'diagnostic' if used only to look at the organs, and it's 'therapeutic' when additional surgery is done as treatment.

Sonohysterogram: A sonohysterogram is similar to an HSG except it is done in the doctor's office with ultrasound rather than an X-ray machine. Saline is injected through the cervix into the uterus, and the uterus and fallopian tubes are examined with ultrasound on a monitor.

Other Tests

Postcoital Test (PCT, Huhner Test): The PCT is not dissimilar from a Pap smear, but it requires a couple to have intercourse 2-8 hours beforehand. The PCT is done at the time of ovulation when the cervical mucus is thin and receptive to sperm. A small sample is removed, placed on a slide and examined with the microscope. If good, it suggests that the cervix is not a barrier to fertilization. If the test is poor, the couple may benefit from artificial insemination.

Endometrial Biopsy: A small sample of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is obtained in the latter part of the cycle to see if the endometrium has properly matured, under the influence of the hormone progesterone. If there is a "lag" (that is, the endometrium has not reached the proper stage), the condition is known as a Luteal Phase Defect, which can be treated with hormones.

Transvaginal Ultrasound: A plastic ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina so that the uterus and the ovaries can be seen on a monitor. A transvaginal ultrasound is used to look for such things as fibroid tumors of the uterus and ovarian cysts, as well as to follow patients on fertility medications and in early pregnancy.

Hysteroscopy: During a hysteroscopy, a telescope is inserted through the cervix into the uterus. The inside of the uterus can then be examined, and surgical procedures such as removal of a fibroid tumor, polyp, or scar tissue can be performed. When done for diagnostic purposes, this can often be done in the office under local anesthesia.

Is it time to consult an expert? Take this quiz to find out if you should see a fertility specialist.

Read More:
Why Can't I Get Pregnant?
Infertility FAQs