Test Options For Unexplained Infertility
Unexplained infertility occurs when standard tests don’t show any apparent cause of your fertility problems. Standard fertility tests can reveal uterine abnormalities, irregular ovulation, obstructed fallopian tubes, low ovarian reserves, and hormonal imbalances. If the tests don’t show any issues, your infertility is classified as unexplained.
4 Test Options for Unsolved Infertility
Unexplained infertility can manifest in many ways, including inability to get pregnant, recurrent miscarriages, and failed treatment. Your fertility doctor can conduct a medical history review, physical exam, blood test, and ovarian reserve testing to diagnose your infertility. If the evaluations don’t show the causes of your infertility, the doctor can check for other underlying conditions like endometriosis and celiac disease. Here are four tests that doctors use to diagnose infertility when standard diagnoses aren’t successful:
1. BCL6 Test
B-cell lymphoma 6, or BCL6, is a protein encoded by the BCL6 gene. The protein is a master transcription factor in regulating T follicular helper cell proliferation. BCL6 is also a marker used to identify uterine lining inflammation in asymptomatic endometriosis. Studies indicate that the protein is more expressed in the majority of women with unresolved infertility and unsuccessful IVF outcomes. BCL6 tests can help reveal if you have endometriosis or progesterone resistance, which are linked to infertility.
2. Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure healthcare providers use to look for abnormal tissue growth inside your reproductive organs and abdominal area. The procedure involves making an abdominal incision and inserting a thin instrument with a camera. Your doctor then moves the device around to assess your reproductive organs on a computer monitor. Laparoscopy can also help with the collection of tissue samples to test for gynecologic cancers like cervical and ovarian cancer.
3. Hysterosalpingogram
Infertility doctors can use a hysterosalpingogram x-ray to look inside your uterus and fallopian tubes. The x-ray dye test can help determine fertility problems, such as a blocked fallopian tube, fibroids, and irregularly shaped uterus. A hysterosalpingogram can also help the doctor determine if you need further imaging tests like a sonohysterography ultrasound. The ultrasound looks for fibroids, polyps, scars, abnormal tissue growths, abnormal uterine shape, and other uterine lining issues.
4. Blood Tests
A blood test can help to diagnose underlying medical conditions linked to infertility. Your infertility doctor can run serology and genetic testing to look for medical conditions like celiac disease. Serology looks for elevated levels of autoimmune antibody proteins. If the levels are high, your doctor can recommend further tests like an endoscopy. Blood tests can also measure thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and diagnose thyroid conditions. Infertility doctors also use blood tests to check hormone levels.
Explaining Unexplained Infertility
Possible causes of unresolved infertility include undiagnosed or underdiagnosed medical conditions, endometriosis, thick cervical mucus, and problems with egg or sperm quality. Poorly timed intercourse can also make it difficult to get pregnant. If such underlying issues are not correctly diagnosed, your fertility test may yield no apparent cause of infertility. Infertility doctors use blood tests, imaging, physical exams, and medical reviews to diagnose underlying conditions like celiac disease, thyroid issues, diabetes, and cancers.
Ultrasounds, blood tests, and sperm analysis can help to diagnose egg and sperm quality issues. An AMH test can measure the ovarian reserve to check if you have enough quality eggs. Sperm analysis examines sperm count, motility, and morphology to look for defects. Doctors can also use endometrial biopsies and hysteroscopies to look for uterine lining issues. The possible causes of unresolved infertility, like endometriosis and underlying medical conditions, guide infertility doctors on what tests to perform.
Seek Help for Unresolved Infertility
Unresolved infertility can stem from many issues. With BCL6 tests, your doctor can quickly determine whether endometriosis is the cause of your infertility. The test can show markers associated with an inflamed uterine lining and prompt further investigation. Infertility doctors can also run blood tests, ultrasounds, x-rays, and other evaluations to look for underlying medical conditions. Contact your doctor today to learn more about the test options and treatment for unexplained infertility.
