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Infertility FAQ

Common Questions Answered

By The Office on Women's Health

For a man, testing usually begins with tests of his semen to look at the number, shape and movement of his sperm. Sometimes other kinds of tests, such as hormone tests, are done.

For a woman, the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are several ways to do this. For example, she can keep track of changes in her morning body temperature and in the texture of her cervical mucous. Another tool is a home ovulation test kit, which can be bought at drug or grocery stores. Checks of ovulation can also be done in the doctor's office, using blood tests for hormone levels or ultrasound tests of the ovaries. If the woman is ovulating, more tests will need to be done.

These are some common female tests:

• Hysterosalpingogram – An X-ray of the fallopian tubes and uterus after they are injected with dye. It shows if the tubes are open and shows the shape of the uterus.
• Laparoscopy – An exam of the tubes and other female organs for disease. An instrument called a laparoscope is used to see inside the abdomen.

Various fertility drugs may be used for women with ovulation problems. It is important to talk with your health care provider about the drug to be used. You should understand the drug's bnefits and side effects. Depending on the type of fertility drug and the dosage of the drug used, multiple births (such as twins) can occur in some women.

Want to see more?

• Money, Marriage and Medicine: Some Things to Think About Before You Conceive
• Global Infertility: Experiences in Other Countries
• Visiting the Reproductive Endocrinologist: What to Expect the First Time
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!