1. Your basic information
This tool assumes you are a female. If you are a male, please proceed using your female partner's information. Read more about common reasons for male fertility difficulties.
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This tool assumes you are a female. If you are a male, please proceed using your female partner's information. Read more about common reasons for male fertility difficulties.
A basal body temperature (or BBT) chart is an inexpensive way to collect information about the menstrual cycle.
To measure BBT, a woman takes her temperature each morning before she gets out of bed and plots its daily changes throughout the cycle. It's also important to document any events of importance, such as sexual intercourse, sleepless nights, or illness.
A woman's temperature should rise about 1/2 degree around day 14 of the menstrual cycle, which indicates that ovulation has probably occurred.
After a few months of charting, a pattern usually becomes clear. If ovulation is occurring regularly, the chart will show rises and falls in temperature. If ovulation is not occurring, the chart will be "flat," meaning there is no significant rise in temperature. This information may help a healthcare provider identify the cause of infertility.
An ovulation predictor kit can help you predict when you are going to ovulate. They are available over-the-counter, and you can find them in most local drug stores, near the home pregnancy tests. They are simple to use and can predict ovulation 24 to 36 hours in advance.
A series of tests, sometimes called an infertility work-up, can help determine what problems may exist and how they can be treated. These tests may include:
You can find out more about the tests that healthcare providers use to evaluate fertility in our educational booklet "Insights into Fertility." You can download a PDF here.
"Trying to conceive" is typically defined as having regular, unprotected intercourse.
The semen analysis focuses on several characteristics of the semen specimen. Typically, the specimen is incubated for a period of time prior to inspection. The volume and pH are measured and the specimen is examined for its consistency. Ejaculates are normally very viscous at first, but liquefy after 15 to 20 minutes at body temperature. Normal pH is basic and normal volume is from 2 to 5 ml in most laboratories. A low volume has obvious implications for difficulties with conception, but the significance of a higher than "normal" volume is often unclear.
A disease whereby cells lining the uterus (or endometrium) get outside of the uterus and stick to other organs, causing inflammation.
The formation of cysts in the ovaries that occurs when the follicle stops developing. This is due to a hormonal imbalance in the ovary.
Inflammatory disease of the pelvis (usually caused by infection) that can lead to scarring and infertility.
Eggs produced by administering fertility drugs are retrieved from a woman's body and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are transferred by catheter to the uterus.
The ability of sperm to swim. Poor motility means the sperm have a difficult time swimming toward the egg.
The physical structure and configuration of sperm cells.