Female Testing
There are several tests used to check for the required factors for normal female infertility. Some patients may need most or all of them done, others only a few. Your doctor will consult with you in deciding what tests would be best for your case. A list of possible problems and some of the tests used to check for those problems is listed below:
Normal Anatomy (uterus, tubes, cervix, vagina)
Careful physical exam
Vaginal and/or abdominal ultrasound
Vaginal saline infusion sonohysterogram
Hysterosalpingogram
Hysteroscopy
Chlamydia antibody (blood test)
Ovulation (release of an egg or oocyte)
Mid cycle ultrasound
Day 21 progesterone level (blood test)
Urinary test to document LH release (usually done by the patient at home)
Basal body temperature test (done by the patient)
Normal Peritoneal Cavity (the environment where the sperm and egg interact)
Careful history and physical exam
Chlamydia antibody test (blood test)
CA 125 (blood test)
Laparoscopy
Oocyte Health (Quality of the eggs, and their odds of producing a normal pregnancy
Day 3 ultrasound to count ovarian follicles and ovarian volume
Clomid challenge test, which combines a day 3 estrogen and FSH level, a day 10 FSH level with clomiphene citrate (Clomid) given days 5-9 of the cycle. This is a kind of "stress" test of the ovaries to see if they are producing normal amounts of estrogen. If they are, then there is a better chance that the eggs that remain will result in a normal pregnancy.
Mullerian inhibiting factor (blood test)
Document Fertilization
We can't prove that fertilization has occurred unless it is observed in the laboratory. Of course, pregnancy is also good proof of fertilization. In a couple who are unable to achieve pregnancy, fertilization will be proven by laboratory results of the sperm and egg interaction.
