You are unable to get pregnant: What tests to perform.

What tests to do if you are unable to get pregnant

Pregnancy begins when a female egg is fertilized by a male sperm, but to make this happen there are some basic steps that ensure that the whole process goes well. What to do if you are unable to get pregnant. When to worry and what tests to do if you are unable to get pregnant.

When do you not get pregnant?

As we said, some circumstances play a decisive role in ensuring that fertilization is successful:

• Female hormones activate an ovary to release an egg (ovulation);

• the male body must produce sufficient and viable spermatozoa;

• while the egg travels through a fallopian tube towards the uterus, it must encounter a sperm to fertilize it;

• the fertilized egg must go to implant itself correctly in the uterine areas where it can grow for nine months.

What is infertility?

Infertility is a term that describes the inability to reproduce by natural methods. Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after one year of sexual intercourse without contraceptive methods. Infertility, therefore, is diagnosed after a couple has tried to conceive for 12 months without success, or after 6 months if the woman is over the age of 35. The doctor will begin to prescribe tests and analyzes to both partners to understand what are the possible causes of infertility, but remember that in 10-20% of infertile couples it is not possible to find a specific cause.

Investigations in case of late pregnancy

First of all, a gynecological examination, with anamnesis and family history of the woman. Then we will proceed with a pap test and an ultrasound that will evaluate the correct morphology and anatomy of the reproductive system and will exclude any pathologies that can make conception difficult, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.

During the ultrasound, an examination called antral follicle count can also be done which, together with the dosage of the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and FSH, allows to have an estimate of the ovarian reserve.

Blood tests for female fertility

What blood tests are prescribed to do if a pregnancy does not arrive?

The blood tests that are prescribed for women are:

• FSH

• LH

• estradiol

• progesterone and androgenic share

• thyroid function markers

• AMH

• Prolactin

• SHBG

• glycemia

• insulinemia.

There are many tests and hormonal dosages that serve to provide the doctor with valuable information about ovarian function. Each hormone must be analyzed on specific days of the menstrual cycle.

Male infertility tests

In men, an infertility assessment begins with understanding the patient's health history and performing a physical exam and multiple sperm analyzes. A seminal fluid analysis is then performed which measures the quality and quantity of spermatozoa.

After this examination, the doctor may recommend endocrine tests that can detect the conditions that cause male infertility.

The doctor will also do an evaluation of the genitals by measuring the volume of the testicles, scrotal palpation, an analysis of the prostate and seminal vesicles.