Interactive FAQs Miscellaneous Infertility Question: If every test that myself and my husband has had pertaining to fertility is normal, what do you think is the common problem? Yzetta W. Georgia Answer: I really can't believe you have had every test. Unfortunately, many couples get quite a bit more testing than is necessary. The traditional medical approach was to do every possible test to make a diagnosis. By the time we ran out tests and were ready to start treatment, there was no money left. We now take a more scientific approach to testing. We only recommend those tests that will help insure a safe pregnancy or identify a factor which indicates pregnancy is unlikely. In the past, tests such as post coital test and endometrial biopsy were a routine part of fertility testing. But the predictive power of these test to tell us who will conceive is very poor. And if the treatment recommendation does not differ whether or not the test is abnormal, why bother. So in most cases, we perform a prenatal profile, TSH and prolactin test as well as HSG and semen analysis. Laparoscopy may be suggested by your medical history. For women over age 35, ovarian reserve testing (www.ivf.com/ovarianreserve.html) is helpful. So rather than wasting your time and money, once the diagnosis of unexplained infertility is made, empirical treatment combining ovulation medications with intrauterine insemination offers the best results. Why ovulation induction if you already ovulate? Well, the reason we do this is that from experience using this treatment in women with unexplained infertility studies have shown reasonable pregnancy rates. Based on your age, years of attempting pregnancy, and the sperm count your MD can predict the odds for success for each treatment option. Dr. Perloe FAQ archives: IVF PCOS Clomiphene Ovulation Ovulation Induction Injections Age Related Infertility Endometriosis Donor Egg Donor Sperm Male Factor Infertility Fallopian Tube Reanastomosis Tubal Infertility Unexplained Infertility Endometrial Factor Return to the IVF Homepage This page, and all contents, are Copyright © 2003 by IVF.com, Atlanta, GA, USA.