What to Expect at a Fertility Evaluation

There are various types of fertility tests, and knowing which ones to get can be a little overwhelming. However, our team is committed to providing aspiring parents with the guidance and knowledge they need to progress in their path towards parenthood.

In this post, we’ll outline the different types of fertility tests, what to expect in your preliminary fertility evaluation, and other helpful information so you can take one step closer to achieving your dream family.

What is a fertility test?

Our investigations provide a means of checking your reproductive health.

• What is a female fertility test?

Female fertility assessments start with a lifestyle assessment, as your lifestyle can impact your fertility, and this can help your consultant to contextualise your test results. A series of blood tests and scans will follow this, and the combined results of these tests will allow your consultant to assess your fertility. Within 24 hours, our consultant will return with the results to discuss with you.

Though female fertility tests and male fertility assessments differ, they both aim to diagnose what might be causing infertility and provide assistance in working out what a patient should do next. We will detail specific tests later in the article.

Who are fertility tests for?

Fertility tests can be for a wide range of people. You may consider undergoing a preliminary fertility evaluation if you:

• Are actively trying to start a family

By undergoing a quick and easy assessment, you can give yourself the peace of mind that everything is functioning as it should. For some people, that means starting to try to conceive naturally.

• Want to delay starting a family in the future

Similarly, if you are thinking about delaying starting a family (such as for social reasons such as work or relationships, fertility assessments are a great way of understanding how long you might be able to delay safely or whether you should consider fertility preservation, like egg freezing or sperm freezing.

• Seek peace of mind

Even if you don’t have pregnancy on your mind right now, you may want to check that everything’s alright for the future. Our fertility assessments offer valuable, accurate insights that can reassure you and help you make the right decisions regarding your fertility.

Why is it important to understand reproductive health with a preliminary fertility evaluation?

Understanding your reproductive health is important for various reasons, such as:

• You can understand your overall health

More and more people are considering fertility assessments, regardless of whether or not they are actively trying to start a family. Reproductive health is a brilliant and quite sensitive indicator of overall health. For example, diet, lifestyle, exercise and stress can impact fertility. For this reason, fertility assessments can help you to understand your health more broadly.

• You can detect issues early on and plan for the future

Medicine is becoming increasingly proactive, looking to identify issues before they become problematic. Fertility assessments are a great way to proactively ensure something which is one of the most important aspects of life for many people: creating a family.

• You can detect and prevent STIs and STDs

If you start to understand your reproductive health, you can also gain knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Knowing how they are transmitted, their symptoms and prevention methods can help you and your partner protect yourselves from infection.

• You can feel empowered

Learning about reproductive health can empower you to ask questions, seek the best information, and make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

When do you need a fertility test?

There are many instances when you may consider getting a preliminary fertility evaluation. Here are some symptoms to look out for in males and females.

Reasons to seek a fertility assessment for females:

• You have a history of tubal, uterine, or pelvic inflammatory disease
• You have endometriosis
• You have had cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy
• You experience irregular menstrual periods or none at all
• You have a history of multiple miscarriages
• You have a history of genetic diseases
• You have been attempting to conceive for one year if you are under 35 or half a year if you are over 35

Reasons to seek a fertility assessment for males:

• You have a history of infertility with an ex-partner
• You have a history of testicular trauma
• You have a history of surgery for an undescended testicle or hernia
• You have undergone treatment with chemotherapy drugs
• You have been attempting to conceive for over one year if your partner is under 35 or half a year if your partner is over 35

What to expect from a fertility evaluation

There are various things you can expect from a fertility assessment. During your initial visit to one of our clinics, you will meet with one of our consultants to discuss your medical history, including your personal health information and requirements. You may discuss your medication uses, sexual history, and usage of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Females may also be asked to discuss the following:

• Birth control methods
• Menstrual cycle length, frequency, and last period
• Any previous pregnancies

Males may also be asked to discuss:

• History of infertility
• History of infections and childhood disorders

Your fertility consultant will perform a physical examination following the initial medical history discussion. You may be recommended one or several diagnostic tests to assist with the clinical diagnosis.

Types of fertility tests: how is a fertility test done?

How a fertility test is done can vary depending on which one you get. We will outline the different types of fertility tests below.

Typical types of fertility tests for females:

• Ovarian reserve test

Tracking ovulation can help determine if you are ovulating as regularly as you should. We can perform ovarian reserve testing using a mix of ultrasounds to monitor your follicle count and hormonal blood tests.

You can have blood tests to assess hormone levels involved in ovulation and the menstrual cycle, including follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones. Irregular hormone levels could suggest problems with ovarian function.

Most ultrasounds and hormonal blood tests should be performed on a specific day in the menstrual cycle, although anti-mullerian hormone blood testing can be done anytime.

• Thyroid test

Your thyroid could be a leading factor in your history of infertility and miscarriages. If hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism is a part of your genetic history, a thyroid test may be useful. Our professionals will evaluate whether your thyroid-stimulating hormone is elevated or starting to decline. If your thyroid is irregular, you may be prescribed los doses of medication to regulate it.

• Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy involves a scope which is inserted into the uterus via the cervix. This enables direct visualisation of your uterine cavity and can be utilised to diagnose and treat a range of uterine abnormalities impacting fertility levels.

• Hysterosalpingography

Hysterosalpingography involves injecting a contrast dye into the uterus and fallopian tubes before taking an X-ray. The results can assist in spotting irregularities or blockages in the fallopian tubes and uterine cavity abnormalities, like fibroids or polyps.

• Transvaginal ultrasound

This type of imaging test uses sound waves to generate images of your pelvic organs, including the uterus and ovaries. This can help our professionals examine the ovarian reserve to evaluate the quantity and quality of your eggs, assess the quality of the uterine lining, and identify ovarian tumours or cysts.

• 3D Saline Infusion Sonography

A tube is inserted into the uterus through the vagina, along with an ultrasound probe. A saline solution is inserted to expand and hold the walls of the uterus apart, allowing our experts to examine the uterus in more detail.

• Cervical mucus test

In some cases, cervical mucus may be preventing pregnancy. This test can help us understand your cervical mucus’ quality, which may give insight into how your partner’s sperm is interacting with it. This test typically takes place directly before ovulation occurs.

• Laparoscopy

A laparoscopy is only conducted if it is very likely that you have fertility issues. In this procedure, a small cut is made in your lower abdomen to insert a laparoscope. This allows us to scrutinise the womb, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in more detail. Additionally, a dye may be put into the fallopian tubes through the cervix to help identify any blockages.

Typical types of fertility tests for males:

• Semen analysis

A semen analysis is one of the most common fertility tests for males, involving receiving and analysing a semen sample to evaluate sperm count, mobility, shape, and volume, amongst other factors. This analysis helps reveal if there are any problems with sperm production or function which could be affecting fertility.

• Semen Culture

Often used alongside a semen analysis, a semen culture test detects if a semen infection may be negatively affecting fertility.

• Sperm DNA Fragmentation

This advanced test is conducted to determine any damage to the sperm that could negatively affect its ability to fertilise an egg.

• Genetic testing

You may undergo genetic testing if you have a family history of genetic disorders or sperm abnormalities. These tests can uncover chromosomal abnormalities or genetic mutations impacting fertility levels.

• Hormone testing

As well as being performed on females, hormonal blood tests may also apply to males since some hormone levels play a critical role in sperm production. Abnormal levels of hormones like testosterone or prolactin could indicate teste or pituitary gland problems.

• Scrotal ultrasound

A scrotal imaging test uses sound waves to create images of the scrotum and testes, which can help identify structural abnormalities, tumours, or blockages that may be impacting fertility.

Once the results are returned our consultant will meet with you to discuss the results, which are also given to you to keep on record. Should they need to, our consultant will also provide you with expert advice on improving the results or other steps you should consider to secure your reproductive health.

Book your preliminary fertility evaluation at CRGH

If you’re interested in learning more about your reproductive health, you can read more about the male fertility assessments and female fertility assessments on our website or visit one of our open evenings.

Furthermore, if you think you would benefit from a fertility test, please contact us today or book an initial consultation. Our team will be happy to provide tailored assistance and advice.