Symptoms of infertility

Infertility manifests in women's cases through menstrual irregularities or pain during menstrual cycles or sexual intercourse. In men, it has no signs or symptoms. Yet, some men with hormonal problems may notice changes in their voices, different patterns in hair growth, breast enlargement, or sexual malfunction.

Inability to become pregnant

Emotional reactions may affect the couple's life, especially those couples with no children. Emotions are softened if the couple has at least on children.

Signs and tests

Both partners are required to take full physical examinations are their medical records are studied.

Tests are:

• - Semen analysis: 2 or 3 days of complete abstinence are required before the semen is collected to improve its quality. This procedure will revile the volume and viscosity of semen and sperm count, motility, swimming speed, and shape.
• - Body temperature measuring. Noting the temperature each morning to establish a base and making the effort of noticing the slight difference of increased temperature when ovulating.
• - Exams of the pelvic area to establish whether the woman has cysts.
• - Visualization of the pelvic cavity through laparoscopy.
• - Hysterosalpingography (HSG) -- an x-ray procedure done with contrast dye that looks at the route of sperm from the cervix through the uterus and fallopian tubes.
• - Serum hormonal levels (blood tests) for either or both partners.
• - When the woman has sporadic or no ovulation, progestin challenge is used
• - Measuring the amount of luteinizing hormone in urine with home-use kits to predict ovulation and assist with timing of intercourse.
• - Measuring serum progesterone (a blood test).
• - Monitoring cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle to note the wet, stretchy, and slippery mucus associated with the ovulatory phase.
• - Postcoital testing (PCT) to evaluate sperm-cervical mucus interaction through analysis of cervical mucus collected 2 to 8 hours after the couple has intercourse.
• - Biopsying the woman's uterine lining (endometrium).
• - Biopsying the man's testicles (rarely done).

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