New Delhi: Before starting fertility treatment, undergoing essential tests helps to detect the underlying causes of infertility and allows an expert to come up with tailored treatment plans for couples battling infertility. Infertility is a pressing concern in couples. Infertility can take a toll on both men and women due to hormonal imbalances, lifestyle choices, genetic conditions, and underlying medical issues that will require immediate medical attention. In men, infertility is seen because of problems in sperm quality, while in women, ovulation disorders, fallopian tube blockages, or endometriosis can hurt fertility.
Dr Sandeep Mane- Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Thane, said, “Fertility treatment is a critical step for couples struggling with infertility and trying to conceive. However, determining the right approach begins with thorough fertility testing. The vital expert-recommended tests help to understand the factors leading to infertility, examine reproductive health, and come up with the best treatment options for fulfilling the dream of parenthood. For both men and women, specific tests evaluate hormone levels, egg and sperm quality, reproductive structures, and other crucial factors that play a role in conception.”
Dr Mane then shared a list of tests for couples before opting for fertility treatments.
Tests for Women
- Ovulation Testing: This is done to check hormone levels like progesterone and know if ovulation happens.
- Ovarian Reserve Monitoring: This will help to check the quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs with the help of pivotal tests like Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), FSH levels, and antral follicle count (via ultrasound).
Saline-infused sonography or HyCosy is preferred over Hysterosalpingography (HSG) for tubal patency testing: These tests help to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes and assess the uterus’s structure. - Pelvic Ultrasound: Will be carried out to examine the uterus and ovaries for fibroids, cysts, or other abnormalities.
- Hormone Panel: Includes tests for checking estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones that impact fertility. Blood tests will also be required to look for thyroid function, prolactin, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and LH (Luteinizing Hormone).
Tests for Men
- Semen Analysis: Will be recommended for men to determine the sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape) and spot any male infertility causes.
- Hormone Testing: Looks for testosterone levels and other hormones like LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH, which are crucial for sperm production.
- Genetic Testing: This is mandatory for picking up any genetic factors or chromosomal abnormalities that may affect sperm quality. It is very important to do the genetic testing in couples with recurrent miscarriages
- Invasive tests: Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy have diagnostic and therapeutic value. These are operative procedures, mostly done under general anesthesia for more detailed assessment after an ultrasound scan. Pathologies such as adhesions, mild endometriosis, and tubal inflammation are not detected in routine sonographies. These conditions are not only detected by laparoscopy but they can be surgically improved for better fertility. At hysteroscopy also, one can detect bands of adhesions, micro polyps, inflammation, and ostial blocks, which can be improved surgically.
The last word
Fertility testing is vital for couples to understand their health status and come up with a suitable treatment plan, ensuring that the causes of infertility are detected and addressed without any delay. After completing these tests, the couples will be able to conceive with ARTs and will have increased chances of a successful pregnancy. It is the need of the hour to consult a fertility specialist for couples to be able to navigate this journey with utmost care and successful outcomes.
Fertility testing is vital for couples to understand their health status and come up with a suitable treatment plan, ensuring that the causes of infertility are detected and addressed without any delay. After completing these tests, the couples will be able to conceive with ARTs and will have increased chances of a successful pregnancy. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
