Infertility Tests - Types of Test, Costs, Symptoms, Procedure, Benefits and More..

Infertility is very common these days affecting 8-10% couples worldwide. Among the infertility cases worldwide, 25% cases are from India alone. According to WHO (World Health Organization) 1 in every 4 couples is affected by infertility particularly in developing countries. Female factors attribute to 40-50% of infertility cases and male factors attribute to 30-40% of infertility cases.

Samples which may be required for infertility test in women depending upon the underlying cause includes:

• Blood
• Genital swab 
• Endometrial biopsy.

Samples which may be required for infertility test in men depending upon the underlying cause includes:

• Blood
• Semen
• Genital swab 
• Testicular biopsy.

Time taken for infertility test reports depend upon the type of examination. However, reports are usually available after 1-2 days of sample collection, imaging or diagnostic procedures.

The period in which women are considered most fertile with high probability of conceiving and having pregnancy is known as fertility period. Fertile period is around your ovulation starting from day 11 to day 17 of menstrual cycle.

The period in which women are considered most fertile with high probability of conceiving and having pregnancy is known as fertility period. Fertile period is around your ovulation starting from day 11 to day 17 of menstrual cycle.

Infertility treatment may lead to the following complications:

1. Multiple pregnancy: Ovulation inducing drugs or transfer of multiple embryos may result in multiple pregnancies such as twins, triplets or quadruplets.
2. Ectopic pregnancy: Implantation at an abnormal site such as fallopian tube, ovaries, cervix or even at previous C-section scar can lead to ectopic pregnancy. IVF and transfer of embryos has higher risk of ectopic pregnancy.
3. OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome): Ovulation inducing drugs or hormones can overstimulate the ovaries resulting in multiple fluid filled cysts in the ovaries. OHSS leads to ovarian enlargement, painful and swollen ovaries.

Despite the advancements in medical science, the success rate of infertility treatment is around 50%. However, it varies from person to person depending upon many factors such as:

• Age
• Cause of infertility
• Effectiveness of treatment
• Compliance to treatment
• Follow up visits.

Recent advancements in medical science have emerged as a ray of hope and proved to be successful in treating and managing a large number of infertile couples. Nowadays, many treatment options are available for infertility. Management of infertility may include:

• Lifestyle changes: Dietary modification and weight management are usually the initial steps in the treatment of infertility.
• Medical management: Ovulation inducing drugs such as clomiphene citrate or letrozole and hormonal therapy are used for medical management of infertility.
• Surgical management: It can be done to overcome the root causes of infertility such as fibroids, polyps, adhesion or synechiae formation and blocked fallopian tubes in females. In males, indications of surgical approach in the management of infertility includes varicocele in the scrotum, hypospadias, cryptorchidism, obstruction to efferent ducts etc.
• ART (Artificial reproductive technology) procedures such as: 
  1. IUI (Intrauterine insemination).
  2. IVF (Invitro fertilization).
  3. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection).

Surrogacy when the above measures fail.

Infertility is caused by a number of factors. There are certain ways of preventing infertility such as:

• Appropriate weight management.
• Stop drug abuse.
• Avoid alcohol intake.
• Stop cigarette smoking.
• Stop taking non-prescription street medications.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take a balanced and healthy diet.
• Limit exposure to harmful industrial toxins.
• Do not delay pregnancy till an advanced age.
• Take proper treatment for:
  1. Chronic illness
  2. Psychiatric disorders
  3. Menstrual disorders
  4. Hormonal imbalance
  5. Pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID)
  6. Chronic pelvic pain
  7. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  8. Genital infections etc. 
• You can freeze your eggs or sperms before undergoing therapies such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Infertility tests are safe procedures with usually no side effects. However, some individuals may experience few side effects depending upon the method of sample collection as mentioned below:

1. Blood sample collection:

• Pain at injection site.
• Hematoma.
• Multiple punctures to locate vein in those where veins are not easily accessible. 
• Bleeding at puncture site, especially patients having bleeding or clotting disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy.
• Infection at puncture site. 
• Thrombophlebitis.

2. Semen collection:

• Difficulty in ejaculation.
• Pain after ejaculation.

3. Endometrial biopsy:

• Cramping pain.
• Damage to uterine wall with biopsy needle.
• Vaginal bleeding.
• Vaginal spotting.
• Vaginal infections.
• Pelvic infections.
• Foul smelling discharge.

4. Testicular biopsy:

• Bleeding.
• Pain.
• Infection.
• Discoloration of scrotum.
• Scrotal swelling.