How is the diagnosis of infertility established?
A medical evaluation may determine the reasons for a couple’s infertility. Usually this process begins with physical examination and medical and sexual histories of both partners. If there is no obvious problem, like improperly timed intercourse or absence of ovulation, specific tests may be recommended. For a man, testing usually begins with tests of his semen (semen analysis) to look at the number, shape, and movement of his sperm. Sometimes other kinds of tests, such as hormone tests, are done. For a woman, the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. There are several ways to do this. For example, she can keep track of changes in her morning body temperature and in the texture of her cervical mucus. Another tool is a home ovulation test kit, which can be bought at drug or grocery stores. Checks of ovulation can also be done in the doctor’s office, using blood tests for hormone levels or ultrasound tests of the ovaries. If tests indicate that there is no
