If after a year of trying to conceive a couple is not successful, a basic infertility evaluation may be started. However, if the female partner in the couple is over thirty or has a significant past medical history of irregular periods or previous pelvic infections, the infertility evaluation and tests can be started earlier.
Any couple embarking on an infertility work-up does so with some fear and reluctance.
The whole world of doctors' offices, x-ray departments and hospitals is stressful for many people. It often does help to know what is ahead, to be informed and aware of how it will feel and what the doctor is hoping to find. The infertility work-up itself follows a fairly specific sequence. A complete work-up or evaluation of the woman usually takes three or four cycles to complete. This is because certain tests have to be done at specific times in the menstrual cycle.