How to Know If You Are Really Infertile

We often hear about fertility, but how do we know if we are actually infertile. There are some obvious answers, such as getting a hysterectomy, but the rest is really a gray area. There are some ways, however, to determine if you are truly infertile. We will discuss these here to help you determine if you need to take further steps to get pregnant.

General Infertility Guidelines

For women who are under 35 years of age, trying for at least a year without getting pregnant is generally considered being infertile. For women who are over 35, trying for at least six months without getting pregnant is generally considered being infertile. These are just general guidelines, however, and your doctor is the best person to help you determine if you are definitely infertile.

Considerations for Infertility

Certain things may impact your fertility and you should consider these if they apply to you, especially if the general infertility guidelines are in play for you. Think about whether or not you are ovulating regularly, have good general health or have a reproductive health issue. Other things that may affect your fertility include past or current use of illegal or legal drugs and a history of sexually transmitted diseases. If any of these apply to you, make sure to let your doctor know because she may be able to give specialized advice on how to help you conceive.

Can I Be Tested for Infertility?

There are a number of tests that you doctor can perform to help determine if you are infertile or not. To help determine if you are ovulating, ovulation testing can be done. Your doctor may also want to do hormone testing to look for any hormonal imbalances.

To look for cysts or fibroids, your doctor may want to perform an ultrasound.

To get a good look at your fallopian tubes and other reproductive organs, your doctor may recommend an imaging test known as a hysterosalpingography.

To look for irregularities in your reproductive system, your doctor may want to perform a hysteroscopy.

To look for medical issues, such as ruptures, blockages or cysts, your doctor may recommend laparoscopic surgery. This is generally done on an outpatient basis.

An endometrial biopsy may be performed if your doctor wanted to test the endometrial tissue for abnormal hormone levels. This too is generally done on an outpatient basis.

Resources

PubMed Health: Infertility