What Is a Fertility Test?

A fertility test helps determine how easy or difficult it will be for a person to conceive. There are several different types of fertility tests, but most doctors begin with a simple blood test or semen analysis to determine a person’s fertility.

Common fertility tests for men

Common fertility tests for men include:

• Semen analysis
  This test examines the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm to determine whether there are fertility issues like low sperm count, poor sperm morphology or poor sperm motility that need to be addressed.
• Hormone testing
  This is a simple blood test used to determine the level of testosterone and other male hormones.
• Genetic testing
  This is a simple blood test used to determine whether there is a genetic defect that may be causing infertility.
• Testicular biopsy
  This is a medical procedure used to identify abnormalities that may be contributing to infertility. It may also be used to retrieve sperm for certain assisted reproductive techniques, like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Common fertility tests for women

Common fertility tests for women include:

• Ovulation testing
  This is a blood test that measures a woman’s anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), which is a hormone released by a woman’s eggs that declines with age. It helps identify how many eggs a woman has left and how she compares with other same-aged women.
• Transvaginal ultrasound
  This is an internal pelvic ultrasound used to examine female reproductive organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and vagina.
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
  This is an outpatient x-ray procedure used to see whether the fallopian tubes are open and if the inside of the uterus is normal.
• Hysteroscopy
  This is an outpatient procedure that inserts a small, lighted tube into the vagina and allows your doctor to look inside the uterus to diagnose or treat causes of abnormal bleeding. This is often used to evaluate recurrent miscarriage.
• Laparoscopy
  This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a physician uses a small telescope-like instrument with a light and camera to examine the pelvic anatomy for causes of infertility.
• Endometrial biopsy
  This is a procedure used to collect a small sample of the uterine lining to examine, diagnose and treat abnormal uterine bleeding, hormonal imbalances or polyps.

If you have been trying to conceive for at least 12 consecutive months (6 months if you’re over the age of 35) and believe you or your partner may be struggling with undiagnosed fertility issues, call Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility at 844-707-1296 to schedule a fertility test. We can help diagnose and treat your infertility as well as help you along your fertility journey.