Female infertility

Does the maturation of the egg and ovulation occur in a normal way?

If the woman has a regular period of 25-35 days it is most likely that the maturation of the egg and ovulation are normal. An ultrasound scan will confirm a normal growth of the follicle. You can also estimate the time of ovulation with urine tests at home (the LH test). If needed, blood tests are done to confirm that ovulation occurs (serum progesterone one week after ovulation).

Is the anatomy of the female reproductive organs normal, that is, are the uterus and the fallopian tubes healthy?

Tubal patency used to be confirmed by laparoscopy or hysterosalpingography (radiological examination with contrast medium). These methods can still be used in certain special cases, but normally the first examination entails an ultrasound scan combined with hydrosonography or salpingosonography (SSG). If the fallopian tubes are blocked the treatment of choise is in vitro fertilization (IVF). The most common causes for damaged fallopian tubes are infectious diseases (for example chlamydia), endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy and surgical operations on the ovaries and the fallopian tubes.