How Do Doctors Check Female Fertility?

Infertility is a common problem for many women. Approximately ten percent of the female population over the age of thirty-five is considered infertile. There are many tests and procedures a woman can go through to determine her level of fertility. This article will describe some of the more common medical procedures used to determine a woman’s level of fertility.   

• Hysterosalpingography (HSG). This procedure is commonly used to assess a woman’s fertility. The physician will inject a special dye into the uterus and follow with an X-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes. The doctor can then watch the X-ray to see that the dye moves freely and there is nothing blocking the fallopian tubes or the uterus.


• Laparoscopy. The laparoscopy is a surgical procedure. The physician makes a small incision in the abdomen and then inserts the laparoscope. The physician can then view the uterus, fallopian tubes and the ovaries. By using the laparoscope the physician can determine if there is any disease affecting the fallopian tubes, ovaries or the uterus.


• Blood tests. Typically on day 3 of a woman's menstrual cycle the physician will conduct a blood test to determine that the luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone levels are OK so that the woman can ovulate.  The blood work for day 25 of her cycle will test the progesterone level and let the physician know if the level is high enough to show that the woman has ovulated.


• Physical exam. The purpose of the exam is to rule out other physical issues that can affect fertility. For example sometimes women with either heart or lung disease may have difficulty with fertility. A woman that is diabetic will also have difficulty with fertility.  The physician will also check the thyroid, as low thyroid levels also cause problems with fertility.