What tests are performed to determine infertility?

Having actually been through this myself I can tell you it is best to have yourself checked out with a doctor that actually specializes in infertility issues rather than just a general doctor. You’ll get more precise answers and they will know more about what to test and can be done if something shows up. They may send you for an HSG screening which is a dye put into your reproductive system to check for blockages and other problems that will only show on an X Ray test. It is uncomfortable and out patient but it can help determine if there is a cause there or if something further, such a surgery, may need done to correct it.
Typically they will start with blood work. Prepare to be stuck plenty at every visit as they will check things from thyroid to your hormone levels in addition to charting your cycle and ovulation etc.. From there they will sit down with you and let you know what the results are (normal, not normal) and what they recommend from there. If you end up pregnant you can expect to have more blood work done in your first trimester for prenatal testing and keeping you checked for various things as well. They may do a pelvic exam on you and possibly some ultrasounds which are done internally. The blood testing and pelvics aren’t usually that much and insurance will usually cover it. Ultrasound coverage depends on your insurance but if medically necessary they are usually covered up to a point, otherwise those are not cheap. It can be several hundred dollars EACH. It’s the treatments that come after the fact coupled with more blood work for the labs that can get pricey depending on what they do to help your situation in particular. Some of those are NOT covered in whole or part by insurance and can run you into the thousands for actual treatments which range from IUI, IVF, donor programs to help you conceive, embryo storage, etc.. With those come more ultrasounds, prescription drugs (which will NOT be covered completely or if at all) which run into the THOUSANDS of dollars depending what the drug is. If it’s clomid usually your prescription coverage will pick it up and it’s not that pricey. Usually around $30 or less. It’s the higher end specialized drugs for things like IVF or IUI that run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars per drug. Some are covered, some are not. When my husband and I did our IVF we had coverage but still just for the drugs alone ended up with about $3,000 out of pocket to cover just the drugs that were needed. Your doctor will be able to tell you what the best place to start is and they usually all will start at the least invasive and least expensive route first when treating infertility if it is determined that it is going to be a problem.

Just for further info- the guys aren’t off the hook when it comes to this. Chances are if you’ve been trying and not able to get pregnant the doctor will have your husband checked out in the early stages of testing as well. It isn’t always us girls that have the trouble when it comes to having baby. If it is the guy their testing and treatment is alot less invasive than what us girls have to go through.