Female fertility testing is a crucial step on a woman’s fertility journey

Female fertility testing at our Nashville fertility clinic allows our doctors to obtain important information about a woman’s treatment needs. Fertility testing can help us understand why a woman is having trouble conceiving. It supports us in making the right fertility diagnosis and allows us to make a treatment plan that gives her the best chance of developing a healthy pregnancy.

The types of female fertility testing

The first step of female fertility testing is examining a woman’s medical history, in addition to the results from any past fertility treatments and other attempts to become pregnant. After we’ve gone through this information, there are various tests we will often recommend.

Transvaginal ultrasound. This ultrasound allows our Nashville fertility clinic team to view the shape and size of a woman’s uterus, as well as the health of her ovaries. We can also look for structural abnormalities like uterine septum and fibroids that may interfere with pregnancy.
Bloodwork. Preliminary bloodwork reveals a woman’s ovarian reserve and hormone levels. These results guide the treatment plan.
Preconception genetic screening. Genetic testing is an essential step of fertility testing. It helps us determine whether the woman has any inheritable genetic conditions. If certain conditions are found, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) may be recommended.

If this initial fertility testing presents inconclusive results, or reveals a situation that requires more analysis, additional testing may be recommended.

Additional types of testing

For women that need more thorough testing, our team sometimes recommends fertility surgery in the form of a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. In some cases, fertility surgery can treat certain fertility challenges during the initial procedure.

Both surgeries are minimally invasive outpatient procedures that consist of a small telescope, with an attached camera, being inserted into the patient. The camera then transmits images of the woman’s pelvic structure to a monitor.

Laparoscopy. Laparoscopies are most frequently used to evaluate endometriosis, scar tissue or fibroids. During this procedure, the telescope is inserted through a small incision in the woman’s belly button while she is under general anesthesia. A laparoscopy typically requires two to three days of recovery.
Hysteroscopy. A hysteroscopy is a type of female fertility testing that does not involve an incision. Instead, it consists of the telescope being introduced through the cervix while the woman is under IV sedation. A hysteroscopy usually only involves 24 hours of recovery, and is primarily used to evaluate a uterine septum, polyps or fibroids.

The goal of female fertility testing is discovering why a woman has not been able to conceive. The expert team at our Nashville fertility clinic can then develop an effective and customized treatment plan that moves women closer to their dream of taking home a healthy baby.