* Question: How do you test whether or not you are fertile?
First, a medical examination will be conducted to determine the presence of infertility. It usually starts with a physical examination as well as sexual and medical histories for both you and your partner.
After completing the medical examinations, your fertility specialist will run a few tests. Generally, the semen specimen tests undergone by men evaluate his sperm based on the volume per ejaculation, movement (or motility) and shape. Some doctors will also give hormone and other tests.
For a woman, the physician will try to discover whether she is ovulating properly every month. To determine this, she can either record her temperature every morning and her cervical mucous texture, or she can use a home ovulation test kit. Checking ovulation may also require some other tests. These tests may include blood tests for hormone levels and ultrasound tests on the ovaries.
* Question: What medicines are used to treat infertility in women?
The medication Clomiphene Citrate is often suggested for women who are experiencing problems with ovulation. It is also common for this drug to be used for women who may be experiencing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or other disorders that inhibit ovulation.
For women who are having troubles ovulating due to problems with the pituitary glands, hMG (human menopausal gonadotropin) is prescribed. This medication encourages a woman to ovulate and acts directly on her ovaries.
A few other drugs for ovaries such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) may also be prescribed for women experiencing difficulties with fertility. These drugs are usually administered by injection.
Metformin is often used for treating women who have high levels of male hormones which create complications with ovulating. It is common for Metformin to be used along with FSH.
Another common fertility drug Bromocriptine is often prescribed for women having ovulation problems caused by high levels of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.
* Question: Do most insurance plans cover treatments I need for infertility?
Even though there are insurance plans that cover infertility treatments, such coverage is generally dependent on where you live and the type of insurance policy you have. Presently, there are 12 states that have enacted laws requiring insurance providers to cover some form of infertility diagnosis and treatments, either fully or partially. These states are:
- Arkansas
- Texas
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- California
- Arkansas
- Montana
- Texas
Laws passed in each of these states may differ in their requirements as well as in the kinds of treatments that must be covered. If you would like additional information regarding insurance coverage for diagnosing and treating infertility, look up the website of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and click on the State Infertility Insurance Laws link.
