Overview of Infertility and Infertility Tests

Infertility is a problem that affects both husband and wife alike. A couple is termed infertile when the woman is not able to conceive after repeated attempts of unprotected sex for a year. Medical conditions, age, lifestyle practices and chemo-radiation therapy affect fertility to a great extent. 30% of infertility is due to the female, 30% due to the male and the remaining is due to both partners having problems.

There are two forms of infertility:

• The man or woman is not able to contribute to conception biologically.
• The woman is not able to carry the baby full term.

This section answers some common questions many couples have.

• Am I infertile?
• Infertility Tests
• Infertility Treatments
• VIDEO- Watch interview discussing infertility and treatments

Am I Infertile?

You must worry about your fertility being at risk if you are below 30 years old and meet with failure after repeated attempts over a 12 month period. Also, you must not delay in getting help from a doctor if you are more than 30 years and have not conceived in six months. There is no "right" time to think of seeking medical help. If you are beginning to feel anxious and worried, then you may consider consulting a doctor.

You may consider doing an infertility test if:

• Your partner is not able to release or ejaculate his sperms.
• You are not able to ovulate or have irregular menstrual cycles.
• You are in your 30s or older but have not been able to conceive although you have not used birth control for 6 months.
• You are in your 20s but have not been able to conceive although you have not used birth control for a year or more.

You must not delay seeing a doctor in the following cases:

• Periods that occur within a gap of three weeks or less Or having periods once every 35 days or more
• Absence of periods for more than three months
• Repeated occurrences of pelvic infection
• More than a couple of miscarriages or abortions
• If the husband has had prostate infections
• If the husband is not able to feel his testes in the scrotum

Infertility Tests

Infertility tests are used to find out why a woman is not able to conceive after repeated attempts of unprotected sex. Since infertility is a problem that affects both husband and wife, there are separate tests for both of them. Physical examinations, blood tests, semen analysis and other special tests are available to determine infertility.

Both of you will also have to keep a track of your sexual intercourse and discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor may start with basic tests such as semen analysis, blood tests and ultrasound scans. Special tests such as hysteroscopy or laparoscopy may be done if necessary. Most of a woman's tests can be done in her gynecologist's clinic or operating room. The man may have to get some of his tests done through a urologist.

While infertility tests can be used to detect the cause of infertility, some of them can also correct the problem. It is usually advisable to rule out infertility in the man before the woman because the tests are far more simpler and cheaper.

Infertility Treatments

Based on the results of the tests, your doctor may recommend a treatment. Some common treatment options are:

• Medications that help you in ovulation.
• Adopt techniques suggested by your doctor to increase your partner's sperm count.
• Get your doctor to directly inject your partner's sperm into you. This is called artificial insementation.
• Correct problems due to endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes with the help of surgery.
• Turn towards invitro fertilisation (IVF).

Treatments for infertility can enhance your chances of becoming pregnant. But, they are also capable of making you expect more than one baby at a time. Do make sure to discuss the associated risks with infertility treatments with your doctor before deciding on one.