Infertility is a prevalent health issue for women of childbearing age around the world. This is a reality that most women experience, but society and many people fail to recognize the depth of the situation. It is important to know the process and available options if you are planning for childbearing or searching for information on behalf of a close one. This blog from Jindal IVF centre in chandigarh will take you through how to test if a woman is infertile giving information on the causes, tests, and procedures.
Understanding Infertility in Women
These include the failure to conceive after one year of trying or more and this is the overall definition of infertility. In women, this can be due to hormonal factors, structural factors, or even lifestyles. However, before we discuss how to test if a woman is infertile, a point to note is that infertility is a dual condition, and if conception is hard both male and female should be tested. Jindal IVF and Sant Memorial Nursing Home offers the best female infertility treatment in chandigarh and male infertility treatment in chandigarh.
When to Consider Infertility Testing
It is also important to understand when one should test if a woman is infertile before looking at how this can be done. It is worth mentioning that women who fall under the age of 35 usually may attempt conception for a year before going to the doctor. For women, 35 years of age and above, one is advised to follow up with the doctor after six months. Also, women with an irregular menstrual cycle or women who have PID can consult a doctor at an earlier stage.
Common Causes of Infertility in Women
Before administering tests, physicians will discuss possible factors that may result in cases of infertility and tell how to test if a woman is infertile. These causes include:
- Ovulation Disorders: Illnesses such as PCOS, PCOD, or thyroid can cause the eggs not to be released from the ovaries.
- Fallopian Tube Blockage: In some cases fallopian tube is damaged or blocked and this may lead to the sperm not getting to the egg.
- Endometriosis: A state of affairs whereby a tissue that is expected to be attached to the uterus wall cervix protrudes to other areas causing fertility issues.
- Age-related Factors: It means that with increased age a woman has a reduced number and quality of eggs leading to conception challenges.
Becoming familiar with such facts will help you know how to test if a woman is infertile.
Steps to Test If a Woman Is Infertile
Now, let’s take a look at the tests and procedures that doctors utilize to figure out how to test if a woman is infertile.
A Health Questionnaire and General Checkup
The first step then is to go through medical history. Your doctor will want to know if you have ever been pregnant, had surgery, or been treated for an STI. Also, they may ask questions regarding patients’ lifestyles such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity which are factors that affect fertility. Physical examination, especially of the external genitalia might be done such as examination for signs of hormonal change or abnormalities of the sexual organs.
Ovulation Testing
The basic means among the known ones to diagnose infertility is to know if the woman is ovulating. Ovulation testing includes:
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting: It is best to take one’s body temperature daily so that one may be able to know when one is ovulating because there is an increase in temperature after ovulation.
- Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): The contents of these kits are used to diagnose the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine sample. The LH is high, ovary releases are expected to occur within the next one to two days.
- Blood Tests for Hormones: One needs to undergo blood tests to determine hormones like follicle-stimulating, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone. These levels enable the identification of whether there are regular ovulations or not.
Ultrasound Exam
Transvaginal ultrasound is useful for doctors to diagnose the condition of the ovaries and uterus. This test enables an early check on ovarian cysts, fibroids, or polyps that could hinder conception. An ultrasound examination during the menstrual cycle can also help determine whether the follicles in the ovaries are growing well.
Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
Hysterosalpingography is a medical examination similar to an X-ray to examine the blockage in the fallopian tubes and the shape of the uterine cavity. Contrast material is inserted into the uterus, and pictures are taken of it as it flows through the female reproductive organs. This test is useful in determining whether tubal blockage plays any role in the infertility of a woman.
Laparoscopy
At times the doctor may advise that he/she should carry out a laparoscopy to have a better view of the reproductive organs. A form of surgery that uses a small thin tube containing a camera known as a laparoscope which is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. Besides, it enables the doctor to look for such things as endometriosis, scar tissue, or other problems that might not be seen during tests.
Hormonal Tests
Hormonal balance plays a crucial role in fertility, and several tests may be performed to check the levels of key hormones, such as:
- Thyroid Function Tests: Disorders caused by overactive or underactive thyroid glands can lead to problems with ovulation.
- Prolactin Test: As stated before elevated prolactin levels can prevent ovulation.
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test: This test measures the ovarian pool containing the number of eggs remaining in a woman’s ovary.
Measuring hormone levels is always useful when it comes to deciding how to test if a woman is infertile.
What Happens After the Tests?
After you have the test results your doctor will inform you of possible causes of infertility and possible treatments. In some cases, eating habits modification, exercising, or shedding some pounds might help a woman regain fertility. In some cases, fertility problems can only be treated through medication like fertility-enhancing drugs, surgery or IVF, and other artificial means of treating infertility.
Also Read: IVF Success Rate In India
Conclusion: How to test if a woman is Infertile
How to test if a woman is infertile is a tricky area that requires some steps and different tests that aim at checking specific causes of infertility. Waiting for ovulation, blood hormone level testing, ultrasound HSG, and even laparoscopy are some options for diagnosing the main problem. One has to visit a doctor to get a piece of professional advice and get properly examined.
It is critical to understand how to test if a woman is infertile. Looking forward to having a child can be tough, especially if you are experiencing infertility. If you have fertility concerns or are unable to conceive, you should visit your doctor at Jindal IVF and Sant Memorial Nursing Home.
