How is Fertility Evaluation Done? A Step-by-Step Guide

Fertility evaluations help professional medical practitioners to know a person’s fertility status and identify the causes of infertility if any. Fertility evaluations are available for both men and women, but they are not only limited to those who are actively trying to build their families, fertility evaluations can be done voluntarily for people seeking to build their families in the future, or donate their sperm or eggs toward fertility treatments. So let us look at what it means to have a fertility evaluation, what aspects are evaluated, how to prepare to be evaluated, and what a person’s results could mean.  

What is a Fertility Evaluation?

Fertility evaluation is a medical diagnostic process that involves several tests, often conducted when an individual or couple who seek to build a family are facing challenges in doing so, naturally. Using the results from a fertility evaluation, fertility experts can assist their patients in exploring options for treatment, including family building alternatives. 

Fertility evaluations are accurate in identifying the cause of fertility challenges because it explores probable causes of infertility through very specific testing. Fertility evaluations for men include assessing hormone levels, sperm production and health, and reproductive function. For women fertility evaluations include assessing hormonal production, reproductive function, the ovarian reserve and egg quality. 

Common Tests in a Fertility Evaluation

As we mentioned, a fertility evaluation consists of several diagnostic tests. Let us look what they are and how they contribute to fertility evaluations: 

Blood Tests

Blood tests are used in evaluating hormonal levels because all the hormones end up in the bloodstream regardless of where they are produced in the body. In fertility evaluations, the hormones evaluated are those directly involved in reproductive health and function. Two of the main hormones responsible for regulating both sperm and eggs are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).   

Ultrasound and imaging

Imaging and ultrasounds are visual diagnostic tests that allow medical practitioners to see the structure of the reproductive organs. Sometimes, fertility challenges are as a result of anomalies in the physical structure of the reproductive organs. 

Semen analysis

Semen analyses are evaluations of several aspects of sperm production. Namely, the amount of sperm a person produces, the quality of the sperm produced, the volume and viscosity of the semen, the structure of sperm and how well sperm move. The evaluation of sperm in this way gives an understanding as to whether a person can conceive a child naturally, or whether they would need assisted reproduction to do so.   

Genetic testing

Genetic tests look into the strand of chromosomes in the egg and sperm. This test shows the health of chromosomes, if there are conditions or diseases carried on the genes, if there are anomalies that would prevent the normal and healthy development of the embryo, or impact the future health of the child once it is born. 

How to Prepare for a Fertility Test

Diet and Lifestyle

It is important to know that a person’s lifestyle, including their diet, exercise routine, sleep patterns and stress management all play a role in the health of their sperm or eggs. As well, if a person uses nicotine products, takes drugs or alcohol, it also has an impact on the quality of their sperm and eggs. This will have an overall impact on how likely they will be to succeed in building their family naturally.  

Fertility Testing

Sometimes, adjustment in lifestyle and habits improves fertility, but when it does not, fertility testing is used to determine the root cause of a person’s fertility challenges. The tests done in a fertility evaluation will be advised on a case by case basis. Depending on the suspected cause of infertility, the fertility specialist will decide which tests to begin with and how to proceed based on the results received. Each test will be explained to the patient, including the order they will be conducted and how the patient will need to prepare for each.  

Understanding Your Results

Once the results of the tests come out, a patient will meet with their doctor to discuss the results. Typically, the practice is for the doctor to review the results before discussing them with the patient. The doctor will then go over the test results one at a time, explaining what the results are and the implication of the results with regards to a person’s fertility. During this discussion, patients are free to ask questions, raise concerns, or clarify the information they are receiving. Treatment options will be discussed once the results are well understood. The discussion about treatments addresses the options for treatment, what the treatment achieves, what the benefits are, what side effects a patient may experience, what potential risks are involved and the duration of treatment. Treatment costs are determined based on the treatment plan selected and insurance and payment options would also be discussed at this time.

Summary

Infertility treatments have created breakthroughs in family building where historically there were limited choices outside of natural family building. The fertility experts at NCFMC have a wealth of experience and expertise in treating a wide variety of infertility challenges, leading to many families realizing their family building goals. Contact us today to learn more about the fertility evaluation and family building options available for your unique circumstance.  

FAQs:

How long does a fertility test take?

The duration of fertility testing is based on the tests being conducted. Some testing can take a few minutes while comprehensive could be conducted over a few days. 

What tests are included in a fertility evaluation?

In general, the tests included in a fertility evaluation are semen analysis, hormone testing, DNA fragmentation for men, and antral follicle count, hysterosalpingogram, ultrasound, and hormone testing for women. 

Can fertility evaluations predict my chances of getting pregnant?

No. Fertility evaluations are not used to predict future fertility, rather they are used to evaluate present causes of infertility. 

Does insurance cover fertility testing?

Insurance may cover fertility testing depending on the purpose for which fertility testing is required. However, it is best to check with your insurance provider to know whether or not you are covered. A financial counsellor at your fertility clinic is also well placed to give advise on how to manage the costs of fertility evaluation.