What Does an Initial Infertility Workup Include?

Your doctor will run several tests during your initial infertility workup.

For couples dealing with infertility issues, solid answers and facts are the most important tools in their arsenals. An initial infertility workup is designed to start getting to the core reasons why you and your partner are having trouble getting or staying pregnant

The initial infertility workup will probably be fairly lengthy—about an hour or so—and will be in-depth. Your doctor will want to explore your medical history and also run tests that can help pinpoint the reasons for your infertility. To help you prepare, it is best to bring

• Your medical records, along with any documentation of previous infertility tests and treatments. You can have those documents sent electronically to the infertility clinic or you can bring them yourself
• A two- or three-month (or longer) history of your menstrual cycles
• History of birth control use
• Pregnancy history (if any)
• Sexual history and practices

During your workup, your doctor will ask you in-depth questions regarding your medical history, including any issues family members have had with infertility or illnesses or diseases that are related. You will also be asked about your current health, possibly including your stress levels, work, nutritional and exercise details, and other things. The reason behind these questions is to identify any possible hindrances to future pregnancies and to give your doctor some idea of your genetic history.

Obviously, you can also expect to undergo several physical tests. Generally, these tests may include:

• Thorough Physical Exam
• Day 2 or 3 Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and estradiol (estrogen) test: identifies how many eggs you have in your ovaries
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): evaluates the inside of your uterine cavity and how well your fallopian tubes are performing. Identifies tubal abnormalities such as occlusions or hydrosalpinges that the sonohysterogram cannot detect.
• Sonohysterogram: non-invasive ultrasound test performed after saline solution has been placed into the uterus via catheter. Like an HSG, this test evaluates the uterine cavity and tubal abnormalities
• Blood Tests

Following your initial fertility workup, your doctor will run several more tests throughout your menstrual cycle to get a better overall view of what is preventing you from getting pregnant. When all of the tests are completed, a treatment plan can be created based on the results.

If you are struggling with infertility, there is help and hope. Santa Monica Fertility works with patients around the world in developing tailored fertility programs designed for your specific needs. For more information about who we are and what we offer, please visit our Homepage today.