Fertility Tests for Women

Have you been trying unsuccessfully for a baby? Should you be considering some fertility testing?

This “Fertility Tests for Women” article will guide you through some of the more common tests done for women to check their Fertility.

Assessment of fertility always starts with a detailed discussion with your doctor, about your medical, sexual and gynaecological history.

Next, your doctor will conduct a physical examination. This could pick up other obvious causes of sub-fertility such as excessively low body weight, anaemia, or thyroid conditions.

Finally, your doctor will proceed with fertility tests. These are the common ones that will be performed.

1. Tests to ensure that you are releasing an egg (ovulating)

There are 3 ways of doing this.

First, you can do a blood test for Luteinising Hormone (LH), 7 days before your menses is due. If the level of this hormone is high, it is very likely that you have ovulated.

A more accurate way is to conduct a daily Ultrasound Scan of your Ovaries starting from day 10 of your cycle. The scan tracks the development of an egg follicle, which will increase in size with each scan, and then release an egg.

A convenient way to check your ovulation at home is to use an ovulatory predictor – these can be obtained from the pharmacy. Start using the kit from day 10 of your cycle, by passing urine on the stick at midday. Ovulation occurs due to the surge in a hormone, LH, in your body, and this urine kit detects the elevated level of LH. On the day that you ovulate, your LH levels will be high, and your ovulation kit will show a positive result. This will indicate that you are fertile, and ovulation has occurred.

2. Tests to check how many healthy eggs you have left (ovarian reserve)

Your doctor might choose to perform a blood test for specific hormones, FSH and Estrogen.

If the levels of hormones are low, you probably have good ovarian reserve.

In some cases, a special stimulatory test is performed. An FSH blood test is done on day 3 of your cycle first. Then, you will be given 5 days of medication, which will stimulate egg development. The FSH level will be re-tested again at day 10.  If both FSH levels are low, then it is also likely you still have good ovarian reserve.

3. Tests to check if your tubes are still working (Fallopian Tubes Patency)

This special test is called a HSG test, and involves injection of a dye into your uterus, during which X-ray images will be taken.

The test is used to detect abnormalities within the womb, or blockages along your tubes – these may be factors that are interfering with normal fertilization or implantation of your egg, resulting in failure to fall pregnant.

4. Tests to check for Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia is the commonest STD in the world. However, many women who acquire this infection do not experience any symptoms from it, and thus do not get tested and diagnosed. If left untreated for a long time, Chlamydia infection can result in infertility in women.

All sexually active women are advised to get a Chlamydia test – this is to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and to prevent complications with your fertility. A chlamydia test is done as a simple vaginal or urine test – ask your doctor about it at your check up.

Learn more about STD and Infertility

 5. Tests to check the Womb and other structures in the pelvis

This involves an Ultrasound Scan of your pelvis (lower abdomen). The scan is simple and painless, and allows the doctor to assess your ovaries and uterus. If performed on the correct day of your menstrual cycle, it can also be used to assess the number of eggs you have left in the ovaries.

Not every test is necessary for fertility testing. Depending on your age, medical history, and sexual history, your doctor will discuss the appropriate tests that need to be performed.

Need a Female Doctor?

Having Women’s Health concerns?

Please visit our Partner Clinics or contact them at their GP Plus Clinics in Singapore. They are open on weekends too.

For more information, please visit DTAP Clinic website, www.dtapclinic.com or email them at hello@dtapclinic.com.sg

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