Realizing you can conceive children whenever the right time comes is more than exciting. However, having children is not an automatic, guaranteed process. There are many instances when it may be impossible for a woman to conceive, a state known as infertility.
Consequently, many women want to know their fertility status in advance. They want to know the likelihood of their becoming pregnant even if it is something they’ll only be considering sometime in the future. For this reason, doctors have come up with various methods to test a woman’s fertility.
The results can have varying effects on the lives of the woman who receive these tests. To some, it’s encouraging to know they can have children whenever they desire.
For others, however, it’s devastating to receive confirmation that it’s impossible for them to conceive. This post addresses the pros and cons of fertility testing in the earlier years of a woman’s life.
How to Test Female Fertility
There are various ways of testing fertility in women. Several factors determine the type of fertility test for each individual. Understanding what the tests entail help people make the right decisions with respect to starting a family. Some measure ovulation to determine a woman’s ability to bear children.
Doctors advise trying several of the available tests that follow the ovulation method. Others test hormone levels in women. Most people prefer this method because there are no limitations on the time of the month when the test can be carried out.
Another method involves checking the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. Each approach has its pros and cons, however, your doctor will determine the kind of analysis deemed best for you.
According to Professor Robert Winston, a fertility expert who also happens to sit in the UK’s House of Lords, there is still much to learn when it comes to fertility and health.
The Merits of Early Life Fertility Test
Knowing your fertility status helps you to plan ahead. If you’re beginning your career, you can better prepare for a future when you do have children. It’s also essential to be tested earlier in life because of the many myths surrounding female fertility.
Many believe that oral contraception pills have a negative effect on fertility. Understanding that this is patently untrue provides great relief to some women. It’s ridiculous to assume you may never have children just because you’ve taken oral contraceptives in the past.
Another reason for early fertility testing is that it helps to deal with anxiety. With so many safe, quick and inexpensive testing methods available these days, there’s no good reason to remain in the dark.
Discovering the most likely outcome of your conception attempts will help you and your spouse plan better for your future family, eliminating much of the speculation from your plans.
Many women self-test for fertility at home using urine strips that inform you of when you’re most likely to conceive. Known as ovulation tests, they tell when an egg is being released from an ovary. Having sexual intercourse a few hours prior to an egg being released offers the greatest chance of getting pregnant.
The Cons Associated with Early Life Fertility Testing
While infrequent, there are still times when test results come back inaccurate, meaning you obviously can’t bank on the results of a faulty test. Some actions some women take based strictly on the results of fertility tests aren’t always the wisest choices available to them.
While the results help some women plan for their futures, they can cause other women to take actions they otherwise wouldn’t have taken had they not known their status. If it turns out the results were inaccurate, it can sponsor significant regret for many ladies.
As such, research to develop better test methods that provide still more accurate results are ongoing.
