sometimes doctors can find the cause of a couple's infertility by doing a complete fertility evaluation. this process usually begins with physical exams and health and sexual histories. if there are no obvious problems like poorly timed intercourse or absence of ovulation tests will be needed. for a man doctors usually begin by testing his semen. they look at the number shape and movement of the sperm. sometimes doctors also suggest testing the level of a man's hormones. for a woman the first step in testing is to find out if she is ovulating each month. there are several ways to do this at home or doctors can also check if a woman is ovulating by doing blood tests and an ultrasound of the ovaries. if the woman is ovulating normally more tests are needed. some common tests of fertility in women include: hysterosalpingography: in this test doctors use x-rays to check for physical problems of the uterus and fallopian tubes. laparoscopy: during this surgery doctors use a tool called a laparoscope to see inside the abdomen. using the laparoscope doctors check the ovaries fallopian tubes and uterus for disease and physical problems. doctors can usually find scarring and endometriosis by laparoscopy.
how will doctors find out if a woman and her partner have fertility problems?