Although not getting pregnant is an indication of possible infertility, only a health care provider can provide a diagnosis of infertility. Those who suspect they are infertile should see their health care providers, including:

Couples who have been trying to conceive for a year without getting pregnant
Women who have experienced menstrual irregularities or who have had endometriosis or uterine fibroids
Women who have gotten pregnant but who have had more than one miscarriage or stillbirth
Men and women with certain genetic conditions

A male fertility test aka sperm count is A semen analysis is a test to measure the amount and quality of a man's semen and sperm. It is sometimes called a sperm count.

A semen sample will be obtained. Semen is the thick, white, sperm-containing fluid excreted during ejaculation. The method of sample collection should be discussed with the health care provider.

The sample may be obtained by masturbation into a sterile container. It may also be achieved by intercourse using a special condom supplied by the health care provider. The sample must be analyzed within 2 hours of the collection. The earlier the sample is analyzed the more reliable the results are.

At the laboratory, the semen sample is analyzed and the following are determine:

Sample volume
Number and structure of the sperm
Sperm movement
Fluid thickness, acidity, and sugar content

Couples or women who desire to get pregnant often have to make use of fertility tests once they start to encounter problems during their attempts to conceive. Fertility tests are the only way to pinpoint where the problem lies so that a suitable form of treatment can be done.

In men, the first procedure done is semen analysis and culture as well as sperm penetration studies. Other tests may include

Vasography, an X-ray study to detect blockage of sperm in the vas deferens
Ultrasonography, commonly called an ultrasound, which can detect sperm blockage in the rest of the reproductive organs like the seminal vesicles and prostate ducts
Karyotype test, which is a test to look for genetic defects in the sperm which could affect their ability to penetrate the egg

In women, the most common form of fertility test is the hysterosalpingogram, which is an X-ray study of the womans uterus and other reproductive organs. A blue dye is injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes through the womans cervix, and an X-ray is taken. This allows the doctors to visualize and detect any problems in the lining, location, and structure of the uterus as well as other structural deformities in the rest of the reproductive organs. Scarring is one problem which can be easily seen through an X-ray. Other fertility tests for women include

Laparoscopy, which involves the use of a long narrow telescope called a laparoscope to look at the internal reproductive organs. The laparoscope is inserted through an incision in the abdomen. The physician is usually able to identify any problems like endometriosis, scarring, or adhesions through this procedure

Endometrial biopsy involves scraping a small amount of endometrial tissue to test for any hormonal imbalance

Hormone tests

Ultrasound, which is done to detect any abnormalities in the endometrial lining, monitor follicle development, and check the ovaries and uterus

Although there are many tests which can be used to determine the cause of infertility, the suitability of each test may vary from person to person. There is no test which can quickly and easily determine the cause of the problem, and some tests may even prove expensive for some couples. However, with the right test a specific diagnosis can be made, which is crucial in choosing which kind of infertility treatment the couple can then use.