4 Essential Diagnostic Tests for Couples Struggling With Fertility

Why can’t we get pregnant? That’s a question our reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists at CARE Fertility in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, get asked a lot.

We don’t always have a simple and easy answer for that question, so we use a number of diagnostic tests to find out why couples can’t get pregnant. From there, we work with you to create a plan to make pregnancy possible. 

In this month’s blog, we explain the essential diagnostic tests we turn to when you’re struggling with infertility.

1. Hormone testing

Hormone levels affect fertility in both women and men. Hormone testing is one of the first things we do for our couples having issues getting pregnant. Testing includes:

Follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH)

We check FSH levels in male and female patients when evaluating for infertility. FSH helps create the follicles that hold the eggs in women and regulates the production and movement of sperm for men.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

LH levels are also checked in male and female patients. For females, LH stimulates production of the ovarian hormones and supports egg maturation. In males, LH activates testosterone, which is essential for creating sperm.

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)

AMH is a fertility test for women that helps us better understand ovarian health and the number of eggs left in reserve. Low AMH levels means you have fewer eggs.

Estradiol

Estradiol is a female hormone test we perform to evaluate ovarian function. 

Progesterone

Progesterone is a female sex hormone that signals production of the endometrial lining in the uterus during the menstrual cycle. We perform this test to check for ovulation.

Androgen

Androgen is a male sex hormone. We check androgen levels in women to diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of infertility in women. We also check androgen levels in men to better understand the cause of male infertility.

We use a state-of-the-art lab for all of our hormone tests and get results within 1-2 hours.

2. Semen analysis

Infertility isn’t a woman’s problem — it affects men, too. We do a semen analysis to evaluate the quantity and quality of sperm.

Abnormal results from a semen analysis may affect your ability to get pregnant. Men with abnormal results need further testing to determine the cause of the infertility and potential fix for it.

3. Ultrasound

Ultrasound testing is another essential diagnostic for couples struggling to get pregnant. We do pelvic and transvaginal ultrasounds to evaluate female reproductive organs, looking for gynecological problems that may explain infertility, like blockages in the fallopian tubes. We also check egg reserves.

Males with abnormal sperm test results need a scrotal ultrasound to evaluate the scrotum and testicles. This imaging test checks for physical abnormalities that may explain the cause of infertility, such as varicocele, enlarged scrotal veins that affect sperm health.

4. Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy is a gynecological test we perform to closely evaluate the cervix and uterus from the inside using a hysteroscope — a thin tube with a light and telescope. A hysteroscopy helps us identify and fix structural abnormalities causing infertility.

Finding the cause of your infertility helps us determine the best course of action for improving your chances of conception. Are you struggling with fertility? Let us help you find out why. Call or request an appointment online at the CARE Fertility office nearest you today.