|
| |
Many
women who want to have a child are not able to do so. If you are trying to have
a child and can't, you may want to visit the staff at the Center for Women's
Health for an infertility evaluation. At the office tests can be performed to
determine what the problem might be.
If you
have not been able to conceive after one year of trying, contact the Center for
Women's Health for an infertility evaluation.
Infertility Evaluation
The
testing begins with a physical exam and health history. The health history will
focus on key points:
-
Menstrual Cycle Analysis - Review of the
menstrual patterns, irregular bleeding or painful periods.
-
Pregnancy History
-
Disease History - A history of past diseases to
determine if this has contributed to difficulties in getting pregnant.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), cancer, and other factors might cause
for fertility problems.
-
Birth Control - Reviewing previously used
methods of birth control to determine if this is preventing you from getting
pregnant.
-
Social History - Any environmental exposures or
social habits (such as smoking, drug or alcohol abuse) which could
contribute to the infertility.
-
Physical Exam - Evaluation of the uterus, tubes,
ovaries, for physical problems preventing pregnancy.
Infertility Testing
There are many ways to see if
ovulation occurs. Some tests are done by the woman, and others are done by the
doctor.
-
Urine Test. A way to predict ovulation is by
using a urine test kit at home. This test measures luteinizing hormone (LH),
a hormone that causes ovulation to occur. If the test is positive, it means
ovulation is about to occur. Sometimes these kits are used with basal body
temperature charts.
-
Basal Body Temperature. After a woman ovulates,
there is a small increase in body temperature. To measure basal body
temperature, a woman takes her temperature by mouth every morning before she
gets out of bed and records it on a chart. This record should be kept for
2–3 menstrual cycles to see if ovulation occurs.
-
Blood Test. After a woman ovulates, the ovaries
produce the hormone progesterone. A blood test taken in the second half of
the menstrual cycle can measure progesterone to show if ovulation has
occurred.
-
Endometrial Biopsy. The lining of the uterus (endometrium)
changes at ovulation. Sometimes a biopsy (a sample of the tissue) is done in
this area to find out whether and when ovulation has occurred. A small
plastic tube is inserted into the vagina and through the cervix. A sample of
the lining is taken to check for ovulation and tissue response.
Luteal phase dysfunction is diagnosed if the histological findings lag
behind the expected cycle duration by more than two days. It should be noted
that endometrial biopsy is used less frequently with the advent of modern
ultrasonography and other noninvasive tests.
Other tests, such as a
Pap test and blood tests, may also be performed.
For more
assistance with your infertility issues contact the
Center for Women's Health.
|
