Answers From An Infertility Expert -- Answers About How Infertility Tests and Treatments Work

*Question: Is there a test to take for infertility?

The first thing that will happen is that a doctor will give you an examination to determine to what extent the infertility problem exists. It will generally begin with a physical exam and sexual and medical histories for both you and your partner.

After these examinations, your doctor will run a few tests. It is general procedure for men to undergo semen specimen tests where the sperm will be evaluated based on ejaculation quantity, its shape, and its movement (aka motility). Sometimes, other tests are also conducted 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 will be asked to either record her temperature every morning and her cervical mucous texture or she will need to 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: How can you treat 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 medicines do doctors use for treating infertility in women?

If a woman is experiencing ovulation problems, Clomiphene Citrate is often prescribed. It is commonly used for women experiencing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or other disorders causing complications with ovulation.

The hMG (human menopausal gonadotropin is the medicine generally prescribed for women who are not ovulatiing because of pituitary gland problems. It acts directly on the ovaries and encourages ovulation.

In addition, other drugs for ovaries such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) may also be prescribed for women who have complications with fertility. These drugs generally come in the form of injections.

Metformin is also commonly used to treat women with high levels of male hormones which create complications with ovulation. Metformin may be combined with FSH.

Another commonly prescribed medicine, Bromocriptine is often prescribed for women having complications with ovulation caused by high levels of prolactin, the hormone responsible for lactation and producing milk.

*Question: Do insurance plans cover treatments I need for infertility?

Even though there are insurance plans that cover infertility treatments, such coverage is generally dependent on where you are from and your insurance policy. At the time of this writing, twelve states have enacted laws requiring insurance providers to cover some form of infertility diagnosis and treatments, either fully or partially. The following states have enacted these laws:

- Arkansas

- California

- Connecticut

- Hawaii

- Illinois

- Maryland

- Massachusetts

- Montana

- New York

- Ohio

- Rhode Island

- Texas

Laws passed in each of these states may differ in their reach and the types of things that must be covered. For further information regarding insurance coverage on infertility diagnosis and treatment, you can go to the website of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and click on the State Infertility Insurance Laws link.

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

Infertility expert Isabel Tagge gives expert advice on Ivf Treatment. As editor of Infertility-Tips.com, she offers infertility tips and writes Infertility Questions and Answers for PrettyGreatAnswers.com.

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