Top 5 Tests for Fertility Assessment

Infertility is a matter of concern for every couple nowadays, it is common among couples due to several factors. You have to check yourself for diagnosing the problem that leads to infertility. A couple is  considered infertile ,if no pregnancy happens even after one year of unprotected intercourse

If you are worried about fertility or having trouble getting pregnant, get your fertility test so that you can get information about your fertility issues. The journey of parenthood or conceiving is personal to the couple, filled with joy, expectation, desires, and excitement.  Though the journey is challenging for couples, modern medicines have offered multiple fertility assessments that shed light on potential causes and provide treatment plans. 

This article will delve into identifying and exploring the top 5 fertility tests used in assessing the fertility of both men and women.  Moreover, it is crucial to understand that different individuals have different problems, so to diagnose the same, you need an appropriate course of action for dealing with the same.

Semen Analysis: A Deep Dive into Sperm Health

Semen analysis is the first step in evaluating the fertility of men. The sperm health of a man contributes equally to the fertility problem of the couple.  The test is undertaken to evaluate the most common aspect of sperm health. It includes-

Sperm count- It helps measure the total number of sperm present in a semen sample. A low sperm count is denoted to be a significant factor that causes infertility.

Motility- Healthy sperm are the ones that can swim efficiently and actively to reach the egg. Thus, the motility test helps in evaluating the movement of sperms. 

Morphology: This test helps in examining the size and shape of sperm as abnormalities in it affect its ability to fertilize an egg. 

It is a non-evasive procedure where the sample is collected through masturbation and analyzed in the laboratory afterward. It is important to know that you need to abstain from ejaculation before 2-7 days for accurate results in the test.

Unveiling the Hormonal Landscape: Blood Tests

Hormones in an individual play a critical role in assessing reproductive health as they regulate ovulation and sperm production. Thus, blood tests are conducted to assess and evaluate fertility by measuring hormone levels. 

Some of the key hormones evaluated include:

• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): In women, FSH stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries, which contain eggs. High FSH levels can indicate diminished ovarian reserve, meaning there are fewer eggs available for ovulation.
• Estradiol: It is a primary estrogen hormone in women; the level of estradiol fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle. These are essentail for the development of eggs and preparation of uterine lining required for pregnancy. 
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH): The LH surge triggers ovulation in women. Abnormal LH levels can disrupt ovulation and impact fertility.
• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): The production of AMH depends on the development of eggs in the ovaries. Generally, AMH levels decrease with increasing age, which offers you an insight into the remaining eggs in women. 
• Testosterone: the production of sperm relies upon testosterone, as a low level of testosterone leads to a reduction in sperm motility and its count. 

Blood tests for fertility are typically performed on specific days of a woman’s menstrual cycle to ensure accurate hormone level readings.

Ovulation Prediction: Unveiling the Fertile Window

Timing intercourse with ovulation is important in conception, especially in women. Several methods are undertaken for tracking ovulation. This includes-

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting- This relates to the daily assessment of your body temperature, especially every morning before bed. A minimal temperature change reflects ovulation. 

Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These home tests detect the LH surge that precedes ovulation by analyzing urine samples.

Visualizing the Internal Landscape: Pelvic Ultrasound

It is a noninvasive imaging test that produces images that help assess organs and structures within the female pelvis. It is meant to analyze the internal reproductive organs in women and diagnose problems. Pelvic ultrasound can assist in the following-  

• Evaluate the size and shape of the uterus and ovaries.
• Detect uterine fibroids, polyps, or other abnormalities that might affect implantation.
• Monitor the development of follicles during ovulation induction treatment.

Additionally, a scrotal ultrasound can be used in men to evaluate the testicles and identify potential blockages in the tubes that carry sperm.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): X-raying the Pathway

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray procedure that evaluates the fallopian tubes and uterus. A dye is injected through the cervix, and X-rays are taken to see if the dye flows freely through the fallopian tubes, indicating they are open. Blockages in the fallopian tubes can prevent sperm from reaching the egg, hindering conception.

While an HSG can be slightly uncomfortable, it is generally an outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time.

End Note

Infertility is a common problem that occurs in 1 in 10 due to several reasons. 

Before reaching any conclusion, you need to assess all the factors that could lead to infertility. It is important to ascertain the factors and take different tests that could help you diagnose the problem. Multiple fertility tests are conducted for both men and women so that root causes can be identified and treatment needs to be followed accordingly.  

Aveya IVF and Fertility Centre is here to help you meet your dream of parenthood by examining you properly and taking the desired tests.