Infertility testing: What women need to know

You’re ready to have a child, but months or even years of failing to get pregnant have left you anxious that you may be infertile. Unfortunately, that is a possibility, as more than 6 million women 15 to 44 do struggle with infertility. The good news is that there is testing available that can help you find out what’s causing your infertility, and in many cases, infertility can be successfully treated.

4 warning signs that you should be tested for infertility issues

Any woman who has been having difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term should consider infertility testing. After all, such difficulty is the most common sign of infertility and issues that cause it. However, there are other signs that should prompt you to seek this type of testing, including:

Menstrual cycle changes — Certain changes to your menstrual cycle may be a sign that you have a fertility issue. Changes you should watch out for include irregular periods, heavier than normal flow during periods and the absence of a period.

Painful periods — Most women experience cramping and discomfort during their period. This is normal. However, severe pain during periods could be a sign that you need to seek infertility testing. This is especially true if the severe pain is combined with pain during intercourse, blood in your urine or irregular periods, as these can be signs of endometriosis.

Adult acne — Acne is common in teenagers, but not in adults. Women who develop acne as adults may have a hormone imbalance that may also be triggering infertility. Also, female adult acne can be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which also affects fertility.

Excess hair growth (or loss) — PCOS can cause women’s bodies to produce more male hormones than normal. This can lead to excess hair growth in places like your face, arms, chest or back. Excessive hair loss could also be a sign of fertility issues with your thyroid or an autoimmune disorder.

What types of tests are used to find infertility issues?

There are several types of tests that certified fertility specialists may use to discover the source of your infertility. A few of the most common tests you may be asked to take include:

Hormone testing — These tests typically require a small blood sample. They’re used to test the levels of various hormones that can affect fertility.

Ovulation hormone testing — This type of testing uses a small blood sample to check the levels of various hormones involved in ovulation. Some of the hormones this test may check the level of are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Antral follicle count (AFC) — This test evaluates the number of follicles on a woman’s ovaries. This number helps fertility specialists determine how many eggs a woman has. A vaginal ultrasound is used to perform an AFC.

What outcomes can you expect from your fertility testing?

There are several possible outcomes that can result from your infertility test(s). One common outcome is that your fertility specialist identifies a fertility issue. In this case, they will meet with you to talk about what issue you have and what treatment options are available.

Another possible outcome is that no visible infertility problems appear during your testing. If this happens, your fertility specialist may ask you to do additional and more in-depth testing to find the cause of your infertility.

What steps can you take to address issues uncovered during your infertility testing?

If the infertility test you’ve taken does uncover an issue, there are certain steps you can, and should, take. First, you should meet with your fertility specialist to go over the specific results of the test. During this meeting, your specialist will provide you with more information about the test results and the fertility issue it uncovered. Often, your specialist will actually reach out to you about scheduling such a meeting, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with them to set one up, too.

The second step you should take is working with your fertility specialist to find the most effective treatment option(s) for you. This step may actually happen during your results review meeting, but it may also require a separate consultation with your fertility specialist.

Get convenient and effective infertility testing at home from Fertility Cloud

At Fertility Cloud, we offer several types of at-home fertility tests for women and men. These tests are shipped directly to you and are then sent to certified laboratories. Our board-certified fertility specialists can then meet with you online to review your test results and help you plan your next steps.

To get your testing process started, you’ll first need to have an initial telehealth consultation with one of our fertility doctors. Luckily, our doctors typically have same-day or next-day appointments available. During this initial consultation, our specialists will let you know what types of testing you may need.

Ready to meet with one of our fertility specialists and get your infertility testing started? Contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with one of our certified fertility doctors.

While we work diligently to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information available, it’s important to remember that every individual’s fertility journey is unique. The advice and content on this blog are intended for general informational purposes only and may not apply to your specific situation. Fertility-related concerns should always be addressed by a licensed healthcare provider who can assess your personal health history and offer tailored advice. It is crucial to seek professional medical guidance to ensure that any treatments or recommendations align with your individual needs. Please consult with your doctor or a fertility specialist for a more personalized and thorough evaluation.