Basic Infertility Workup

HORMONE STUDIES:

Hormonal studies help identify hormonal imbalances that may impair your fertility. Hormones control every stop in achieving pregnancy from stimulating the development of an egg, to ovulation and implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. Each hormone that plays a role in conception must be produced in a specific amount at a precise time in your menstrual cycle. These studies measure the levels of certain hormones produced by your body during your cycle. You are likely to have a series of simple blood tests at various points during your cycle. These tests may help determine your diagnoses as well as identify the best treatment options.

ULTRASOUND TESTING:

Ultrasound can help monitor your ovulation and diagnosis conditions. This is also used to examine the thickness and pattern of your uterine lining, monitoring cycles during which you are taking drugs to stimulate the follicles in your ovaries to produce multiple eggs and it is also used during in vitro fertilization to assist in retrieving eggs.

HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (HSG):

HSG is a simple technique that requires a dye to outline, photograph, and study the inside of the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes. The study is performed after complete cessation of menstrual bleeding and before ovulation.

SEMEN ANALYSIS:

A semen analysis includes a determination of sperm count (total number of sperm), motility (percent of moving sperm), and morphology (percent of normal shaped sperm), an estimation of the quality of sperm movement, and antisperm antibody testing may also be indicated.