The decision to start a family is often as exciting as is it frustrating.
Most people believe that once they stop using contraception, they will be pregnant in no time at all. And for many, this is true. But for the 1.5 million couples with infertility, trying to get pregnant can be a long process full of anxiety and stress. There are many at-home testing devices that can assist a couple in their journey to becoming pregnant, as well as numerous more specific and invasive tests that can be performed at the physician’s office.
At-Home Tests
- Basal body thermometer – may help women predict when they will ovulate based on changes in their body temperature.
- Ovulation Kits – may help women determine the most fertile time of their menstrual cycle based on hormone levels in the urine.
- Sperm Count Kits – may indicate if a male has a normal or low sperm count.
Physician Office/Hospital Tests
- Physical examination for anatomy that may make conception more difficult.
- Blood Tests – used to evaluate hormone levels, such as luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and estradiol levels in females and androgen levels in males, and thyroid function in both males and females.
- Semen Analysis – assesses the number and quality of sperm in a sample of semen.
- Hysterosalpingography – an invasive test that assesses the uterus and fallopian tubes.
- Endometrial biopsy – cutting or scrapping a sample of endometrial tissue to determine any irregularities that may be affecting fertility.
- Pelvic Ultrasound – an intravaginal ultrasound used to assess for growths in the uterus or ovaries.
- Laparoscopy – a surgical technique where a laparoscope is used to diagnose or treat issues in the female reproductive organs such as infertility.
These tests can help to give patients a clearer picture as to the reasons behind their infertility, but they may not tell the whole story. Be sure to follow up with your healthcare providers when using any at-home test and to discuss all results of both at-home and office tests. Together with your partner and healthcare teams, you can hopefully reach the dream of becoming a parent.
