What is Fertility Evaluation? Why It’s the First Step to Treatment

Infertility is a common challenge many people face when trying to build their families naturally. Medically speaking, infertility is said to exist when someone has been having sex regularly without protection and been unable to conceive for a period of time. This period of time is 12 months for people under the age of 35 years, and six months for those who are 35 years and above. 

There are many factors that influence a person being unable to conceive. Thanks to assisted reproductive technologies, people are able to get fertility evaluations which help doctors to diagnose the possible cause of their infertility. This in turn helps fertility experts to recommend treatment options or alternatives to family building, as the case may be.  We shall  now look at what fertility evaluation entails and why it matters. 

Why Do You Need a Fertility Evaluation?

The main reason why fertility evaluations are done is to examine a person’s reproductive function. This has to do with the hormones that regulate reproduction, the reproductive organs themselves, and the proper production of eggs and sperm for reproduction. It must be noted here that apart from reproductive function, factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history  have an impact on fertility. 

Who Should Get a Fertility Evaluation?

If one is having challenges trying to build their family, then a fertility evaluation may be what would be recommended. For women, there fertility naturally declines after the age of 35 due to the decline in hormonal production. The production of estrogen is done within the ovaries and is dictated by the ovarian reserve. As this reduces over time, so does the production of estrogen, which in turn has an impact on the ease with which one can become pregnant.    

If a person is experiencing repeated pregnancy loss (RPL), then fertility testing may benefit them. Abnormalities in the DNA frequently lead to pregnancy loss because the embryo is not properly formed. During fertility testing, both male and female chromosomes can be assessed for these anomalies. Other causes of infertility could be low sperm concentration or poor sperm movement.  

What Are the Different Types of Fertility Tests?

Tests such as semen analysis, ultrasound, antral follicles count among others, are some of the fertility tests one can do. However the specific type of test (or tests) that will be done are based on a patient’s situation. So let us see what these test are and how they are conducted.  

Hormone Testing

Hormone testing is done using blood sample. The reproductive organs release hormones which travel throughout the body in the bloodstream. When hormonal levels are higher or lower than normal, this will be reflected in the blood sample. Normal hormonal ranges point to normal reproductive function. Higher or lower than normal levels indicate issues with reproductive function. 

Semen Analysis

A semen analysis entails examining both semen and sperm. Semen is the fluid that carries sperm and it is usually analyzed for factors such as volume, viscosity, protein, white blood cells, among others. Sperm are analyzed for quantity, movement, and structure. As well semen analyses assess sperm DNA for anomalies.  

Ultrasound and HSG

Ultrasounds fall under the category of imaging tests. In fertility evaluations, they are used to view both female and male reproductive organs. These can show the surface structures as well as the internal structures of the reproductive organs. A hysterosalpingography (HSG) is an imaging test specifically used to check if the fallopian tubes are blocked. A HSG would be conducted using a contrast liquid under X-ray.

Conclusion

Fertility evaluations are useful tools used by fertility experts to determine the medical cause of infertility. These evaluations enable doctors to come up with treatment options that eventually help people build their families. For those who wish to build their families at a future point, fertility evaluations are helpful in assessing their current fertility, what aspects to consider as time passes, and what can be done about their fertility metrics. 

The experts at our Dallas Fertility Center are available to respond to any questions or concerns you may have about your fertility. As well, they are happy to walk you through your fertility evaluation. We understand that each family building situation is different and as a result, we do our best to ensure that we carefully assess and diagnose each case with utmost professionalism and compassion. 

FAQs:

When should I consider a fertility evaluation?

Fertility evaluation should be considered by persons who desire to build families. In particular, if they have had any sexually transmitted infections, multiple miscarriages, surgeries that could impact fertility, conditions of reproductive health such as PCOS or endometriosis.  More importantly, if they have been actively trying to become pregnant for a long time.

Can I still conceive naturally after a fertility test?

You absolutely can. Fertility tests do not impair a person’s ability to become pregnant, they just provide information about a person’s reproductive health.  

What if my fertility test results are normal but I still can’t conceive?

If you have normal fertility metrics, a doctor may request for more comprehensive tests, recommend lifestyle adjustments, or explore medically assisted reproduction treatments. 

How much does a fertility evaluation cost?

Fertility evaluations cost between $200 and $500 for basic evaluations, or $1,000 to $3,000 for the more comprehensive evaluations. However these costs vary depending on the State where one does them, and the fertility clinic they have them done in. Insurance may cover some of these cost, but this depends on the insurance provider, and the insurance plan one is on. 

What happens after my fertility evaluation?

Once your fertility evaluation is complete, the fertility expert will review the results with you, discuss the implications of the results, share some possible treatment options, and make recommendations for the next steps based on their expertise.