If you’ve been trying to get pregnant without success, a specialist will carry out different tests to determine the cause. A healthcare provider checks issues like ovulation and abnormalities within your reproductive system to know what’s contributing to your condition. Here are some diagnostic tests for unexplained infertility:
Ovarian Reserve Testing
By testing the ovarian reserve, a medical professional assesses the quantity and quality of a woman’s remaining eggs. Even though unexplained infertility occurs when no clear reason is identified, such tests help determine if a declining egg supply could be causing the issue. Using an ultrasound, a provider counts the number of small follicles in the ovaries to see if they are insufficient. This type of test may also reveal other ovarian issues, such as cysts or PCOS, that interfere with egg quality.
Performing a follicle-stimulating hormone test shows if ovaries are struggling to stimulate egg production. If other fertility examinations appear normal, your doctor may measure the anti-müllerian hormone to check how many eggs are remaining. If issues are found, your care provider may recommend fertility treatment options like in vitro fertilization.
Hormonal Testing
Testing hormones is beneficial for identifying imbalances that can affect ovulation, menstrual cycles, and general reproductive health. A qualified infertility specialist performs thyroid function tests to determine if this hormone is causing irregular or absent ovulation and prolonged menstrual cycles. If this hormone is too low or high, it can prevent the body from sustaining a pregnancy, causing miscarriage. A doctor may also assess prolactin levels because elevated hormones may prevent ovulation from taking place, affecting fertility.
Luteinizing hormone fosters ovulation so that an egg is released from the follicle for fertilization. If this hormone is low, the uterine lining may not be thick enough to support implantation. Patients with high luteinizing hormone may have PCOS, where ovulation may not occur consistently, affecting the ability to get pregnant.
BCL6 Tests
With BCL6 testing, your doctor will identify inflammatory conditions of the endometrium, including silent endometriosis where no symptoms are obvious. The test determines the levels of BCL6 protein that cause inflammation and lead to implantation problems. Since progesterone is required for a normal pregnancy, this protein interferes with how this hormone functions, helping doctors recommend treatment.
During this procedure, a medical professional takes a biopsy of the endometrial tissue to determine whether an inflammatory or immune response affects fertility. Once the doctor finds underlying issues, they may prescribe medication to change immune function and improve the chances of implantation. They can also provide progesterone supplements to help support the uterine lining during the implantation phase.
Laparoscopy
During a laparoscopy, a provider makes incisions in the abdomen and inserts a camera to view underlying conditions in the pelvic area. This procedure reveals endometriosis, which causes scarring, inflammation, and adhesions that affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. It also shows pelvic adhesions, which obstruct fallopian tubes and cause organs to stick together, affecting the ability to conceive.
A laparoscopy is also useful for checking damaged fallopian tubes since they prevent the egg and sperm from meeting, making natural conception difficult. While performing this test, a trained professional may identify fibroids, infections, and cysts that prevent fertilization from taking place. Your doctor can remove such abnormalities or repair damaged tubes to improve the possibility of getting pregnant.
Get Tested for Unexplained Infertility
Different tests reveal imbalanced hormones and reproductive system issues that could be stopping you from becoming pregnant. An infertility specialist will use imaging tests to determine what’s causing fertility issues. To identify what’s contributing to unexplained infertility, get tested today. Call a trusted clinic to talk to a provider or book an appointment.
