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Answers From An Infertility Expert: Understanding How Infertility Tests and Treatments Work

Article Summary: Infertility expert Isabel Tagge answers your questions about infertility testing and treatments

*Question: How do you test whether or not you are fertile?

On your first visit to a fertility specialist, a doctor will give you an examination to determine the presence of infertility. It usually starts with a physical exam and sexual and medical histories for both you and your partner.

After these examinations, your doctor will run some tests. Men usually undergo semen specimen tests where the sperm will be evaluated based on ejaculation volume, its shape, and its movement (aka motility). Additional tests may be given such as hormone tests.

For a woman, the doctor will try to discover whether she is ovulating properly every month. In order to determine this, she can either record her temperature every morning along with cervical mucous texture or may be able to simply use a home ovulation test kit. There may be some additional tests to check for ovulation. These tests may include blood tests for hormone levels and ultrasound tests on the ovaries.

*Question: Is there a treatment for infertility?

Treatment for infertility depends on the physical examination and test results. In most cases, 85 to 90 percent of infertility cases are treated with prescription drugs or surgery.

There are several different fertility drugs that can be taken by women having ovulation problems. However, it is essential that you speak with your physician and let him prescribe the right drugs for your situation. He is the best person to explain to you the possible side effects as well as the possible benefits.

Surgery can be done in cases where fertility problems are caused by damage or other problems in the reproductive organs of either the man or the woman.

*Question: What kinds of fertility drugs do doctors use in order to treat infertility in women?

If a woman has ovulation complications, the drug Clomiphene Citrate is often prescribed. This drug is commonly used for women who may be experiencing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or other disorders that inhibit ovulation.

The human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) is the drug usually prescribed for women who do not ovulate due to problems with pituitary glands. The drug acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation.

Additional medications for the ovaries such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) may also be prescribed for women experiencing fertility problems. These medicines generally come in the form of injections.

Metformin is generally used to treat women with high levels of male hormones which interfere with ovulation. It is common for Metformin to be combined with FSH.

Another common fertility drug, Bromocriptine is often prescribed for women having ovulation problems caused by high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates mild production in lactating women.

*Question: Which kinds of insurance plans cover treatments I need for infertility?

While you will find insurance plans that cover infertility treatments, such coverage is dependent on where you are from and your insurance policy. Presently, already 12 states have enacted laws that require providers of insurance to cover some form of infertility diagnosis and treatments, either in full or in part. These states are:

- Arkansas

- California

- Connecticut

- Hawaii

- Illinois

- Maryland

- Massachusetts

- Montana

- New York

- Ohio

- Rhode Island

- Texas

The laws enacted in the above states may differ in their coverage in addition to the items that must be covered. If you need more information regarding insurance coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment, look up the website of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and click on the State Infertility Insurance Laws link.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Isabel Tagge
Isabel Tagge, a infertility specialist, gives expert advice on Acupuncture And Infertility. As editor of Infertility-Tips.com, she offers infertility tips