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Couples experiencing difficultly becoming pregnant may benefit from our extensive services for the evaluation and treatment of infertility. Our testing begins with a physical exam and health history, which can help identify medical issues and lifestyle factors that can affect fertility. From there we can explore the many infertility treatments available.

Infertility Evaluation

Our infertility testing begins with a physical exam and health history, which will focus on key points:

  • Menstrual cycle analysis: Review of your menstrual patterns, including any history of irregular bleeding or painful periods.
  • Pregnancy history
  • Disease history: A review of past diseases to determine if any may have contributed to difficulties in getting pregnant. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), cancer, and other factors might cause for fertility problems.
  • Birth Control: A review of previously used methods of birth control to determine if this could be preventing you from getting pregnant.
  • Social History: Any environmental exposures or social habits (such as smoking, drug or alcohol abuse) that could contribute to infertility.
  • Physical Exam: Evaluation of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries for physical problems preventing pregnancy.

Infertility Testing

Your doctor will discuss different tests available to determine if you are actually ovulating every month. Some of tests can be performed by you at home, and others will be done by your doctor.

  • Urine test. Urine test kits can predict ovulation by measure 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 in conjunction with basal body temperature charts.
  • Basal body temperature. After a woman ovulates, a slight increase in body temperature occurs. To measure basal body temperature, you take your temperature by mouth every morning before getting out of bed and record it on a chart. This record should be kept for 2–3 menstrual cycles to see if ovulation is occurring.
  • Blood test. After ovulating occurs, 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 performed in this area to determine 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. 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, may also be performed...

For more assistance with your infertility issues, please contact the Center for Women’s Health at 913-491-6878.