After Dr. Allon completes the physical evaluation, he will order several fertility tests to assess the male and female reproductive systems. Fertility tests “verify” the various processes that must occur for a successful pregnancy to result. We have separate pages for the various tests listed below.
Female Fertility Tests
 The female must produce, and ovulate, eggs that can travel through the fallopian tubes, fertilize, develop into embryos and implant into the endometrium (lining of the uterus).
Fertility tests such as the Day 3 hormone evaluation, measure ovarian reserve or the ability of the egg to fertilize and develop. An elevated FSH level on day 3 may indicate reduced ovarian reserve or impending ovarian failure.
Other fertility tests include measurement of androgen levels (to rule out PCOS), thyroid hormones, prolactin, progesterone, and others. Sometimes the Clomid Challenge Test will be ordered to evaluate a patient’s likely response to ovarian stimulation with FSH.
The endometrial biopsy is a fertility test that may be ordered to insure that endometrial development is “in phase” with egg development and ovulation. The endometrium must thicken and become more vascular to accept and support a developing embryo.
The uterus must be free of large obstructions, such as polyps and fibroids, and be normally shaped. They HSG, hysteroscope, hydrosonogram, ultrasound, and laparoscopy are fertility tests used to evaluate the uterus.
Once the eggs are ovulated they must travel unimpeded through the fallopian tubes. The hysterosalpingogram is a fertility test used to evaluate the tubes and uterus.
The eggs must be “genetically capable” of being fertilized and developing into mature embryos. Oftentimes, IVF is the only way to document these processes.
The laparoscopy allows Dr. Allon to evaluate the reproductive organs and oftentimes conditions can be treated during the diagnostic laparoscopy. For example, it is often possible to remove endometrial implants using laparoscopy. Dr. Allon performs most fertility surgeries using laparoscopy because of reduced pain, shorter healing times, and less scarring.
Male Fertility Tests
The cornerstone male fertility test is the semen analysis which measures several sperm characteristics. Some of these characteristics are the number of sperm, their ability to swim in straight lines, the shape of their heads, volume of semen and more.
When indicated, Dr. Allon will order fertility tests to evaluate FSH, LH, and testosterone.
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