How Can You Find Out If You're Sterile
How can you tell if you’re sterile? If you’re asking this question, you’ve probably been trying to conceive for some time.
There are many feelings and doubts that can overwhelm you at this time. Paying attention to the following information will help you clear your doubts.
Sterility vs. infertility
You need to know that sterility and infertility aren’t the same. Although it’s common for people to use these terms interchangeably, they’re different.
The first refers to the inability to conceive after many years of trying. On the other hand, infertility is the inability to keep the pregnancy because it ends in miscarriage.
Causes of infertility
For your peace of mind, you should know there are different causes for sterility. Some of them are:
- Diseases in the cervix, such as endometriosis.
- Uterine malformations.
- Age. If you’re over 35, this may be the reason.
- Ovulation problems from not having a menstrual cycle.
- Obesity.
Ways to know if you’re sterile
To be sure of the causes mentioned above, there are some tests to help you know if you’re sterile.
Ovulation tests
The first thing you should find out is if you’re ovulating correctly. You can do the following tests:
- Progesterone test. This hormone is the one that starts gestation. With this test, you’ll know if you produce enough progesterone to ovulate. You need to do this blood test between 22 and 24 days after your period. You must give two samples: one on the 21st and another on the 27th.
- Ovarian reserve test. This test is necessary if you’re over 35 years old. Through a blood test, you’ll confirm if the follicle stimulating hormone is active. This is responsible for stimulating the ovaries. You need to do it on the third day of menstruation.
Tubal patency study
This test is called hysterosalpingography, and it’s an X-ray in the fallopian tubes. Through this test, you can see if they’re obstructed or not.
For this, the radiologist puts a contrast in the uterus through a catheter. It fills the tubes, and if it flows easily, the tubes aren’t blocked.
Another possible study is hysterosonography, which consists of a vaginal ultrasound.
Cervix study
With these 3 studies, you can see if your uterus is suitable for pregnancy.
- Permeability of the cervix. This test is a vaginal exam that sees if the cervix is permeable. This means that it lets things into the uterine cavity. Your gynecologist will do it using an insemination cannula.
- Hysteroscopy. This is an endoscopy without anesthesia. In it, the doctor inserts a little camera into your vagina. You can see the cervix and uterine cavity inside. You can detect malformations, myomas or polyps that could make pregnancy difficult.
- Transvaginal ultrasound. This test is very basic. In it, you can check for anything not normal in the uterus or cervix. Additionally, you can see any alterations in the ovaries.
What else can I do?
If you’ve tried these and don’t have anything abnormal, there is more you can do. Both you and your partner could try these options:
- Medical record.
- Gynecological consultation.
- Abdominal ultrasound.
- General semen study.
- Complete hormonal analysis.
After carrying out these studies you may find that your results are normal and can’t find a cause. This is called sterility of unknown origin.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get pregnant. Remember, there are other alternatives you can choose from.
If finding out if you’re sterile is all you can think about, it’s a good idea to try to relax. Do activities that can distract you.
Then, if you find out the results are positive, turn to a psychologist who can help you cope with this problem.
