If you've ever had a struggle with getting pregnant, you've definitely come across the drug Clomid (Generic name: Clomiphene Citrate). Clomid is a non-steroidal fertility medicine. It causes the pituitary gland to release hormones needed to stimulate ovulation. Clomid is used to cause ovulation in women with certain medical conditions that prevent naturally occurring ovulation. What you won't read on a blog/forum/chat group.. is that your doctor isn't likely to prescribe Clomid unless you go through some preliminary testing. One test that might be ordered is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG for short). A HSG is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them. During a hysterosalpingogram, contrast dye is put through a thin tube that is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Because the uterus and the fallopian tubes are hooked together, the dye will flow into the fallopian tubes. Pictures are taken using a steady beam of X-ray as the dye passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes. The pictures can show problems such as an injury or abnormal structure of the uterus or fallopian tubes, or a blockage (like mucus) that would prevent an egg from moving through a fallopian tube to the uterus. A blockage also could prevent sperm from moving into a fallopian tube and fertilizing an egg. A hysterosalpingogram also may find problems on the inside of the uterus that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting to the uterine wall. One of the benefits of a HSG test is the pressure of the contrast flooding your fallopian tubes might cause a simple blockage to float away, clearing your issue without the need for Clomid.
Your GYN might also ask that your partner have his sperm tested. As my gyn has said to me "What would be the purpose of giving you Clomid, if you're guy's shooting blanks!"
Sperm and Semen Analysis. A trained expert assesses the man's sperm count, their shape, movement, and other variables. Generally, a higher number of normal-shaped sperm means higher fertility. But exceptions are common. Many men with low sperm counts or abnormal semen are still fertile. And about 15% of infertile men have normal semen and plenty of normal sperm.If the first semen analysis is normal, the doctor may order a second test to confirm the results. Two normal tests are usually interpreted to mean that the man doesn't have any significant infertility problems. If something in the results looks irregular, the doctor might order further tests to pinpoint the problem.

Infertility is a serious worry for many. Generally a person may be considered infertile after one full year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive or having multiple miscarriages. In a recent conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, it was reported that the majority of women up to age 39 who didn't become pregnant in their first year did in fact become pregnant in their second year -- without any medical assistance. For women between ages 27 and 34, only 6% were unable to conceive in their second year. And for 35- to 39-year-old women, only 9% were unable to conceive in their second year -- provided their partner was under 40. Whether you have been trying for some time, or just began to test the waters, here are some descriptions of tests your Ob/Gyn may administer to assess your fertility levels.

Other fertility tests include: Hematocrit and Complete Blood Count (CBC)- to measure components of the blood (white blood cells, platelets, hematocrit, and hemoglobin). Rapid Plamsa Reagin (RPR test)- a screening for syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) if necessary- to assess the need for anti-viral therapy during pregnancy to reduce the rate transmission to the infant, others STD tests like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, and of course a Papanicolaou (PAP) Smear.