Diagnosis of female infertility
The examination of women is more complicated and requires more time.
An overall medical history is necessary in order to detect the possible causes of infertility. The questions may be related to past operations, pregnancy, abortions and pelvic or vaginal infections.
Questions concerning the course of your period are also important – when you started having menstruation, how often you menstruate, if it is accompanied by menstrual pain, etc.
An overall examination may be crucial to detect the infertility problems. A doctor can suspect some hormonal disorders even after a physical examination. A gynecological examination of the small pelvis can reveal ovarian cysts, fibroids, consequences of pelvic infections or extensive endometriosis.
Blood tests help to determine the level of hormones in the blood. Smears of the vagina and cervix may detect infections that adversely affect reproductive processes.
The basal temperature is measured after 6 hours of night rest and it is influenced by the production of the progesterone hormone. This hormone is produced by the corpus luteum. Developed from an ovarian follicle, its effects on the temperature-regulating center in the brain increases the base body temperature. The increase of the base body temperature by 0.3 °C above the average during the three previous days is regarded as proof of ovulation.
Ovulation tests – they detect the release of LH prior to ovulation. – can be freely bought from pharmacies. Ovulation takes place 24-38 hours after a rise of LH levels and, therefore, an optimal time for sexual intercourse can be determined.
Postcoital Test (PCT) is performed 9-14 hours after intercourse. It analyses the sperm count and motility in the mucus of the cervix and vault.