Before infertility testing, your doctor or clinic works to understand your sexual habits and may make recommendations to improve your chances of getting pregnant. In some infertile couples, no specific cause is found (unexplained infertility). Show
Infertility evaluation can be expensive, and sometimes involves uncomfortable procedures. Some medical plans may not cover the cost of fertility treatment. Finally, there's no guarantee — even after all the testing and counseling — that you'll get pregnant. Tests for menMale fertility requires that the testicles produce enough healthy sperm, and that the sperm is ejaculated effectively into the vagina and travels to the egg. Tests for male infertility attempt to determine whether any of these processes are impaired. You may have a general physical exam, including examination of your genitals. Specific fertility tests may include:
Tests for womenVideo: HSG test for female infertilityShow transcript for video Video: HSG test for female infertility Blocked fallopian tubes or an abnormal uterine cavity may cause infertility. Hysterosalpingography, or HSG, is an X-ray test to outline the internal shape of the uterus and show whether the fallopian tubes are blocked. In HSG, a thin tube is threaded through the vagina and cervix. A substance known as contrast material is injected into the uterus. A series of X-rays, or fluoroscopy, follows the dye, which appears white on X-ray, as it moves into the uterus and then into the tubes. If there is an abnormality in the shape of the uterus, it will be outlined. If the tube is open, the dye gradually fills it. The dye spills into the pelvic cavity, where the body resorbs it. Close HysteroscopyHysteroscopyDuring hysteroscopy, a thin, lighted instrument (hysteroscope) provides a view of the inside of the uterus. Close HysterosonographyHysterosonographyDuring hysterosonography (his-tur-o-suh-NOG-ruh-fee), a care provider uses a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to inject salt water (saline) into the hollow part of the uterus. An ultrasound probe gets images of the inside of the uterus to check for anything unusual. Fertility for women relies on the ovaries releasing healthy eggs. The reproductive tract must allow an egg to pass into the fallopian tubes and join with sperm for fertilization. The fertilized egg must travel to the uterus and implant in the lining. Tests for female infertility try to find out if any of these processes are impaired. You may have a general physical exam, including a regular gynecological exam. Specific fertility tests may include:
Depending on your situation, rarely your testing may include:
Not everyone needs to have all, or even many, of these tests before the cause of infertility is found. You and your doctor will decide which tests you will have and when. Care at Mayo ClinicOur caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your infertility-related health concerns Start Here More Information
TreatmentInfertility treatment depends on:
Some causes of infertility can't be corrected. In cases where spontaneous pregnancy doesn't happen, couples can often still achieve a pregnancy through use of assisted reproductive technology. Infertility treatment may involve significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments. Treatment for menMen's treatment for general sexual problems or lack of healthy sperm may include:
Treatment for womenSome women need only one or two therapies to improve fertility. Other women may need several different types of treatment to achieve pregnancy.
Assisted reproductive technologyClose In vitro fertilizationIn vitro fertilizationDuring in vitro fertilization, eggs are removed from mature follicles within an ovary (A). An egg is fertilized by injecting a single sperm into the egg or mixing the egg with sperm in a petri dish (B). The fertilized egg (embryo) is transferred into the uterus (C). Close ICSIICSIIn intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a single healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. ICSI is often used when semen quality or number is a problem or if fertilization attempts during prior in vitro fertilization cycles failed. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is any fertility treatment in which the egg and sperm are handled. There are several types of ART. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common ART technique. IVF involves stimulating and retrieving multiple mature eggs, fertilizing them with sperm in a dish in a lab, and implanting the embryos in the uterus several days after fertilization. Other techniques are sometimes used in an IVF cycle, such as:
Complications of treatmentComplications of infertility treatment may include:
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Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Coping and supportCoping with infertility can be extremely difficult because there are so many unknowns. The journey can take an emotional toll on a couple. Taking these steps can help you cope:
Managing emotional stress during treatmentTry these strategies to help manage emotional stress during treatment:
Managing emotional effects of the outcomeYou'll face the possibility of psychological challenges no matter your results:
Seek professional help if the emotional impact of the outcome of your fertility treatments becomes too heavy for you or your partner. Preparing for your appointmentDepending on your age and personal health history, your doctor may recommend a medical evaluation. A gynecologist, urologist or family doctor can help determine whether there's a problem that requires a specialist or clinic that treats infertility problems. In some cases, both you and your partner may require a comprehensive infertility evaluation. What you can doTo get ready for your first appointment:
For infertility, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Don't hesitate to ask your doctor to repeat information or to ask follow-up questions. What to expect from your doctorBe ready to answer questions to help your doctor quickly determine next steps in making a diagnosis and starting care. Questions for couplesPossible questions for couples include:
Questions for menYour doctors may ask:
Questions for the womanYour doctors may ask:
By Mayo Clinic Staff Infertility care at Mayo Clinic Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments Sept. 01, 2021 Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references
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AdvertisementMayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. What causes not getting pregnant?Causes of infertility in cis women
not ovulating (not releasing eggs from your ovaries) your fallopian tubes are blocked so sperm can't get to your egg. poor egg quality. the shape of your uterus makes it hard for a fertilized egg to implant.
What is the fastest way to get pregnant?Experts say the best way to get pregnant fast is to have sex once a day, every other day, during the fertile window right before and after ovulation. If you have sex too often, your partner's sperm count may be reduced, and if you don't have enough sex, the sperm may be old and unable to swim as fast.
What should I do to increase my chances of getting pregnant?The best way to increase your odds of getting pregnant quickly is to make sure that you're having sex at the right time in your cycle. If you have regular cycles, you will ovulate around two weeks before your period. This means your fertile window will be the seven days before your expected ovulation.
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