Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?

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You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Your options

  • Have tests to try to find out the cause of infertility.
  • Don't have tests. To make family planning decisions, use the information you already have.

Key points to remember

  • If you are younger than 35 and are trying to get pregnant (conceive), most doctors suggest trying well-timed sex for at least 1 year before thinking about testing. The best time to conceive is just before ovulation. Some people find that they have been missing their most fertile days when trying to conceive.
  • If you are a woman 35 or older and have tried well-timed sex for 6 months, you might want to think about infertility testing before age-related problems make it too hard to conceive.
  • Infertility tests may find what is causing the problem. Sometimes you can be treated at the same time.
  • Testing and treatment can be stressful, costly, and sometimes painful. You may need only a few tests, or you may need many tests over months and years.
  • If you decide to have infertility testing, talk with your doctor about how much testing you are willing to do and for how long. You may only want to have tests for problems you are willing to treat or that will help you move on to other options, such as adoption.
  • Tests can't always find the cause of infertility. And not all infertility problems can be treated.

FAQs

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