Infertility Workup for Women’s Health in Las Vegas, NV

An infertility workup is a comprehensive process that involves a combination of a medical history review, physical examination, and additional testing. This workup is crucial for women who are struggling with infertility or have medical problems that increase their risk of infertility.

Infertility is generally defined as the failure to become pregnant after 12 months of trying to conceive. However, this timeframe can be influenced by age and a wide range of other factors.

Patients under 35 are usually advised to undergo an infertility workup after a year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive. Those over 35 may start their evaluation after just six months of trying, while women over 40, or those with pre-existing conditions that might cause infertility, are recommended to seek immediate evaluation.

During the workup, the focus is on evaluating uterine structure and function, ovarian reserve and ovulation. Labs and imaging are directed toward the reproductive organs and are utilized to assess conditions that could affect fertility, such as pelvic pathology and tubal patency.

Infertility is not solely a female issue; male factors can account for approximately half of infertility cases in couples. The male partner / intended-father-of-the-baby’s health is a crucial component as well, as semen analysis is one of the first steps in an infertility workup alongside a medical history review.

The workup includes a comprehensive review of factors that could influence infertility, such as menstrual history, cycle characteristics, pregnancy history, previous contraception methods, sexual function, past surgeries, and the frequency and timing of intercourse.

Lifestyle factors like occupational exposure, drug, alcohol, or nicotine use are also considered. The physical examination focuses on breast, thyroid, and pelvic examination, and vital signs like weight, blood pressure, body mass index, and pulse are assessed.

The order of tests may also be influenced by existing health conditions or age-related factors affecting fertility. For example, if there are known conditions that are likely to impact fertility, these might be prioritized in the testing sequence.

After the initial tests, a case-specific combination of further examinations and tests follows, informed by individual risk factors, health observations, and specific considerations. This comprehensive approach helps identify the cause of infertility and assists in developing a targeted treatment plan.

Deciding when to start an infertility workup depends on various factors and should be guided by specialists like those at Evolve Gynecology and determined on a case-by-case basis given the various complex factors to consider.
Typically, recommendations are based on age. Patients under 35 are usually advised to wait for one year of trying to conceive before starting a workup.

In contrast, patients over 35 are recommended to begin their evaluation after six months, and those over 40 or patients of any age with pre-existing conditions affecting fertility should consider starting even sooner.

However, these guidelines are not absolute and can be tailored based on individual health considerations and patient history. If specific symptoms or conditions raise concerns about fertility, it may be appropriate to initiate the workup earlier.

The key is consulting with healthcare professionals who can offer personalized advice, considering everyone’s health situation and fertility aspirations.

Infertility workups are available at Evolve Gynecology. Visit us online today for directions to our leading healthcare clinic. We serve patients from Las Vegas NV, Summerlin South NV, Sun City NV, Spring Valley NV, Winchester NV, Paradise NV, and the surrounding areas. Learn more about our services today and meet our team of leading healthcare professionals.