How Fertility Tests Can Help Diagnose Reproductive Issues
March 18, 2025Everyone has a unique parenthood journey. While some couples have pleasant journeys, a lot of them end up with infertility testing. According to WHO, 1 in 6 couples face difficulties in conceiving. With delayed pregnancy, modern lifestyle, and underlying health conditions, the causes of infertility have become diverse & complex.
Thankfully! Fertility tests answer why you are facing difficulty conceiving and which treatment can address your concern. Experts even recommend that couples should start fertility testing if they are unable to conceive even after one year of unprotected sex.
Let us break down the causes, the best fertility tests for couples, and what to expect throughout the process.
Fertility Testing: Causes and Diagnoses
The process of pregnancy requires proper ovulation and fertilization. However, irregularities in certain conditions cause infertility. Sometimes, the causes of infertility are innate in couples. But, other times, it develops over time. Hence, fertility testing helps you find out why you are unable to conceive. Some of the major causes of infertility include:
Causes of Infertility in Men
- Low sperm count or quality due to medical conditions like genetic defects, hormonal problems, diabetes, HIV, or genetic defects.
- Sexual conditions such as premature ejaculation, cystic fibrosis or blockage in the testicles.
- Exposure to chemicals, pesticides or radiation.
Causes of Infertility in Women
- Ovulation disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can affect fertility in women.
- Too much exercise or eating disorders
- Tumors in the wall of the uterus (uterine fibroids)
- Scar tissues form after appendicitis, endometriosis, or pelvic infection.
When Should You Consider Fertility Testing?
Seeking assistance from your healthcare provider becomes essential when you are trying to get pregnant for at least a year. Other than that, the diagnosis also becomes crucial under the following circumstances:
- When you are 35 years or less and haven't conceived after 1 year.
- When you are above 35 years of age and haven't conceived after 6 months.
- When you have a history of inflammation in the pelvic
- When you have had multiple miscarriages
- When you have irregular menstrual cycle (more than 35 days apart)
- When you have undergone cancer treatment like chemotherapy
Men should also observe early signs of infertility and seek assistance sooner when they have :
- Low sperm count or other related problems
- Past history of prostate, testicular, or sexual condition
- Hernia surgery
- Smaller testicles than average adult-size
Types of Fertility Tests for Women
Female fertility depends on the condition of the ovaries. These fertility tests recognise better the ovaries are releasing sufficient eggs. Hence, fertility treatment options for women include:
- Ovarian Reserve Testing: This test is done to find out the total amount of eggs you have for ovulation.
- Genetic Testing: This test is done to find out if genetic defects are the cause of infertility.
- Pelvic Ultrasound: Also known as a sonogram, it generates vivid images of the female reproductive system. It is used to detect if there are any abnormalities like fibroids or cysts.
- Sonohysterogram: It generates close-up images of the uterus so that the specialist can detect the abnormalities in it, causing infertility.
Types of Fertility Tests for Men
Male fertility depends on whether the testicles are producing enough sperm. Male infertility tests recognise whether the problem is curable or not. Some of those fertility tests include:
- Semen Analysis: Being the most common test, semen samples are analysed to check the number and quality of sperm.
- Fertility Blood Tests: It checks levels of certain hormones levels like testosterone, prolactin, or thyroid. A fertility test is typically taken after semen analysis when there are issues in the latter.
- Testicular Ultrasound: It captures a detailed image of your scrotum and testicles to understand the causes of fertility.
- Post-ejaculatory Urinalysis: This test is done to detect whether there are sperm in the urine. The condition causing this state is called retrograde ejaculation.
- Testicles Biopsy: In this test, small tissue samples are removed from testicles using a needle. However, it is not a commonly used test for infertility.
Next Steps Beyond Testing
Once your fertility treatment is done, the results may include hormone therapy, medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes. The most popular medical treatments include:
- Surgical Processes:
- Laparoscopic surgery to remove large fibroids or treat endometriosis
- Treating blocked fallopian tubes in women
- Surgery to reverse sperm blockage or repair varicocele
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies:
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): In this process, sperm are directly injected into the uterus. The process is carried out according to the women's ovulation.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): Being the most popular method of fertilization, embryos are implanted into the uterus after eggs and sperm are combined in the lab.
- Medications:
- Medicines to increase sperm count and better functioning of testicles.
- Medicines for regulating the levels of thyroid and lactose stimulating hormones.
Book a Fertility Test Online
Fertility tests are useful in determining the causative agents of infertility. They can guide couples to the right treatments and interventions by outlining some of the underlying problems, whether these involve lifestyle changes, some medication, or assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). For couples struggling with infertility, a consultation with a fertility specialist and the appropriate tests are probably the first steps toward understanding their options and increasing their chances of conception. Schedule your fertility tests with Apollo Fertility and plan your family with greater ease and convenience.
