Making the Diagnosis
There are dozens of possible infertility tests for both men and women.Your doctor will start by getting a detailed history and asking you to record various information such as the woman's menstrual cycle, timing of intercourse, etc.
The basis of diagnosis for men is the physical examination and sperm count. To get the sperm count, the man will need to provide a sample of his ejaculate. The sperm sample is studied under the microscope and various chemical tests can be applied to see how many sperm look normal, how many are alive, and how many can swim. In some situations, the sperm will be examined to see if they can penetrate an egg wall. Hamster eggs are used for this last test.
In women, the first thing to check is the physical examination of the reproductive tract as well as the level of various hormones. These provide clues not only to the cause of infertility but also to the chances of successfully treating it. An ultrasound is often ordered to look for fibroids, the shape of the uterus, cysts on the ovary, or other abnormalities. An X-ray may also be done in which dye is inserted into the cervix to see if the fallopian tubes are open. Other tests include a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy, where a camera-bearing tube is used to look for endometriosis, blockage of the tubes, and other signs of abnormality.