7 Most Common Infertility Tests!

Infertility tests are performed to help you find out why you can’t become pregnant.

The tests help to find whether the problem is with the woman, man or both.

Generally, the tests include blood tests, semen analysis, physical examination and other special procedures.

The most common procedures include:

• Hysterosalpingogram


• Sonohysterogram


• Hysteroscopy


• Laparoscopy


• Endometrial biopsy


• Dilation & curettage


• Post-Coital Test
  

1. Hysterosalpingogram: Also known as uterosalpingography, is an X-ray examination of a woman’s uterus and fallopian tubes. This test uses a special type of X-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material. This helps your physician to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

2. Sonohysterogram: Also known as hysterosonogram, is an office based ultrasound procedure that can determine if there are abnormalities inside the uterus that might interfere with pregnancy.

It is important to have an evalaution of the uterine cavity with a sonohysterogram or other method before proceeding with an IVF cycle. This test involves no radiation, and there are very few risks from the procedure.

3. Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your surgeon to look inside your womb (uterus) using a narrow tube-like telescopic camera called a hysteroscope. t's carefully passed through the vagina and cervix (neck of the womb) and into your womb.

Also, this procedure helps to find the cause of symptoms like vaginal bleeding or discharge. Also, conditions like polyps and fibroids, heavy periods and early signs of womb cancer.

4. Laparoscopy: This method is used to observe your ovaries, peritoneal cavity, uterus and outside of your fallopian tubes. This procedure is used to look for endometriosis, adhesions and malformations. Before undergoing the procedure, your physician gives you anesthesia.

The doctor will then insert a scope through a small incision inside the navel or just below it to view the outside of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

5. Endometrial biopsy: This is a procedure in which a tissue sample is taken from the lining of the uterus (endometrium), and is checked under a microscope for any abnormal cells or signs of cancer. This procedure may be done with or without anesthesia.

Your health care provider will do a pelvic examination, and will insert an instrument into the vagina to hold it open and see the cervix.

6. Dilation & curettage: Also called as D & C, is the procedure in which your doctor removes tissue from the inside of your uterus. This procedure is used to diagnose or treat various uterine conditions, such as heavy bleeding and clearing the uterine lining after abortion or miscarriage.

In this procedure, your doctor dilates and expands your cervix. A surgical instrument called a curette is then inserted into your uterus to remove tissue. Curettes used in a dilation and curettage can be sharp or can use suction.

7. Post-Coital Test: This test involves an examination of the mucus around the cervix shortly after intercourse has taken place. It is like having a smear test, and under the microscope interactions between the sperms and cervical mucus are analyzed.