One in eight American couples find difficulty trying to conceive or carry a fetus to full term. There are a number of reasons for this. In some cases, there is something wrong with the woman's fertility. In other cases, the man is infertile. Sometimes, it is a combination of issues in both the woman and the man. If you're having trouble conceiving, it may be time to visit a specialist who can help determine what's going on. Here are a few things that may be done in a full fertility evaluation:

Analysis of His Semen

This is one of the simpler tests and may determine a male factor. A trained professional will examine the semen for sperm count, the shape of the sperm, their movement and a number of other variables. If the first test comes back normal, then a second test is generally order simply to confirm the results. In some cases, the sperm may be fine, but there is a blockage somewhere keeping the sperm from going where they need to go, which can typically be corrected with surgery.

Blood Tests

Blood tests are another simple route to take and are typically one of the first things that a physician will do. There are a number of blood tests that will be ran to observe the activity of your ovaries and to determine if there is any dysfunction present. Certain hormones are also examined to make sure that there aren't endocrine issues that could be causing the infertility.

Hysterosalpingogram

Also known as HSG, a hysterosalpingorgram is a special type of x-ray that is done of the fallopian tubes and uterus. The x-ray takes place after a contrast has been injected into the uterus through the cervix. It has the ability to detect any abnormalities that could affect pregnancy.

Hydrosonogram

A hydrosonogram is uterine cavity ultrasound. Water is typically injected into the uterus through the cervix before the ultrasound occurs. Like the HSG, it also has the ability to detect abnormalities that could be causing the problem with conception.

Laparoscopy

A laparoscopy uses a telescope through the belly button to examine the pelvic organs. In some cases, a dye is injected into the uterus to help your physician see any issues. With this type of surgical procedure, a physician is able to determine if there are any adhesions, cysts, fibroids or even endometriosis – all of which can cause infertility in a woman.

Getting pregnant and having a baby is one of the most joyous times of a couple's life. If you're having trouble conceiving, it is important to speak to a physician to ensure that there aren't any underlying issues that could be affecting your ability to get pregnant. Your doctor , like those at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, has a multitude of options at their disposal to help you determine the problem, including all of the options mentioned above in this article.