Infertility Evaluation
A woman should consider fertility testing if she has been actively trying to get pregnant, by having unprotected intercourse on a regular basis with her partner, for more than one year. If a woman is age 35 or older, she should consider fertility testing after six months of trying to get pregnant. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects men and women equally, so both partners should be tested.
Fertility tests for women help identify the cause(s) of infertility so the condition can be properly treated and the couple can have the best chance to conceive. Fertility tests for women often involve:
- Medical history discussion, especially to check for ovulation or menstrual cycle issues
- Blood tests to check hormone levels and ovarian reserve (the number of potential eggs remaining in a woman’s ovaries).
- Pelvic examination
- Minimally invasive procedures, such as ultrasound imaging (sonogram) and surgery, to check for structural causes of infertility