Female fertility tests are often the first step on the path to motherhood
When you first visit Texas Fertility Center San Antonio, you’ll meet with Erika Munch MD. Her goal is to use leading-edge female fertility tests to determine why you’re struggling to conceive. She’ll then use this information to develop a customized treatment plan that will help you overcome female infertility and achieve your dream of motherhood.
Common female fertility tests include bloodwork and ultrasounds
To diagnose the cause of female infertility, our San Antonio fertility doctor will typically start by ordering bloodwork and a transvaginal ultrasound.
Bloodwork allows Dr. Munch to learn more about your ovarian reserve, or the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. This test will evaluate hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Depending on your unique needs, Dr. Munch may also order female fertility tests for other hormones like thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and estradiol. Typically, this bloodwork will occur on Day 2, 3 or 4 of your cycle.
As for the transvaginal ultrasound, it will typically occur on the day of your initial visit. An ultrasound can often help Dr. Munch diagnose issues, including uterine fibroids, uterine polyps, ovarian cysts and uterine malformations. It can also help with determining your ovarian reserve when Dr. Munch performs it early in your cycle. This is because Dr. Munch can count the number of antral follicles (small cysts containing an egg) present in your ovaries.
Based on your family history, Dr. Munch may also recommend preconception carrier screening. This test can identify whether you or your partner carry a genetic illness that you could pass to your future children. If testing does reveal you carry such an illness, treatments like IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can help you have a healthy baby.
Dr. Munch offers more options to diagnose female infertility
In addition to bloodwork and ultrasounds, our San Antonio fertility doctor also uses female fertility tests like a saline sonogram and HSG.
A saline sonogram can help evaluate the uterine cavity. This test occurs in our office. During the test, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is placed through the cervix and into the uterus. Then, water is placed in the uterine cavity during an ultrasound. This test can diagnose uterine polyps, uterine fibroids and an abnormally shaped uterus.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a test that can help Dr. Munch determine whether the fallopian tubes are open or blocked. It can also help her see whether the uterine cavity is free of abnormalities. This test occurs in a radiology department between Day 6 and 11 of your cycle.
After placing a speculum in the vagina, a catheter is placed through the cervix and into the uterus. The next step involves placing dye into the uterus. The dye should fill the uterus and the fallopian tubes before spilling into the pelvis. A normal test will show dye spilling from both tubes. This means the tubes are open. If your tubes are closed or you have uterine issues, Dr. Munch can develop a treatment plan to help.
Dr. Munch and our entire team are here to help you bring home a healthy baby. If you would like to learn more about female fertility tests or schedule an appointment, contact us today. We are ready to answer your questions and help you on your path to parenthood.