Fertility Tests for Women in Cape Town: Why You Are Not Getting Pregnant

If you have been trying to fall pregnant without success, fertility testing can help identify whether there may be a problem. But a fertility assessment at Cape Fertility is not just a simple “fertile” or “infertile” test. Its purpose is to understand why pregnancy is not happening and what treatment, if any, may be appropriate.

Infertility is generally defined as not falling pregnant after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. If you are 35 or older, it is recommended that you seek help after six months of trying.

This is because infertility is a medical condition and fertility tests for women can determine what is preventing a pregnancy. Just some of the potential issues include medical problems regarding ovulation, egg quantity or quality, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, or your partner’s sperm, or there may be even more than one factor.

 
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When Should You Consider Fertility Testing?

If you are younger than 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 months without success, it is time to consider a fertility assessment. If you are 35 or older, seek advice after six months.

You should also speak to a fertility specialist sooner if you have concerns such as irregular or absent periods, very painful periods, known endometriosis, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, repeated miscarriage or previous cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Age also matters, because egg quantity and quality decline over time, particularly after 35.

You do not need to know what is wrong before making an appointment. Finding the cause is the point of the assessment.

 

What Will Fertility Testing Show?

A successful pregnancy depends on all stages of the process working correctly. This means a healthy egg needs to be released from an ovary. It must travel through a fallopian tube, where it can meet sperm and become fertilised. The fertilised egg then needs to reach the uterus and implant successfully.

A fertility assessment therefore looks at these steps that may be affecting these stages, including:

  • ovulation
  • egg quantity and quality
  • the fallopian tubes
  • the uterus
  • male fertility.

More than one factor may be involved, which is why a comprehensive assessment is important before treatment begins.

 

Could Ovulation Be the Problem?

If ovulation does not happen regularly, or does not happen at all, pregnancy becomes difficult because an egg may not be available for fertilisation.

Ovulation problems may be linked to PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome), thyroid problems, early menopause, dysfunction of the pituitary gland or certain medications. PMOS is the most common cause of ovulation problems we treat at Cape Fertility.

Irregular or absent periods can be a sign that ovulation needs to be investigated.

Where an ovulation problem is found, treatment may include hormonal treatment, medication or injections to stimulate egg release. Weight management may also form part of PMOS treatment where appropriate.

 

Could Egg Quantity or Quality Be Affecting Fertility?

Women are born with a finite number of eggs. Over time, the number decreases and egg quality declines.

This becomes particularly important after age 35, but reduced egg quantity or quality can also affect younger women because of ovarian damage, underlying medical conditions or treatments such as chemotherapy.

Even if you ovulate regularly, egg-related factors may still affect fertilisation, embryo development and implantation.

If egg quantity or quality is significantly reduced, more advanced fertility treatment may be considered according to your circumstances.

 

Could the Fallopian Tubes or Uterus Be Involved?

The fallopian tubes allow the egg and sperm to meet. If they are blocked, damaged or missing, natural fertilisation may not be possible.

Tubal problems may be linked to pelvic infections, previous surgery, cancer treatment or inflammatory conditions.

The uterus must also support successful implantation. Fibroids and endometriosis can interfere with this process and may contribute to difficulty conceiving or pregnancy loss.

Because these problems require different treatment, identifying the underlying cause is an important part of the fertility assessment.

 

Why Your Partner’s Fertility Should Also Be Checked

Difficulty conceiving should not automatically be treated as a female fertility problem.

Infertility may involve the female partner, the male partner, or both. Male infertility can also be difficult to recognise without testing because erections, ejaculation and semen may appear normal even when sperm production or quality is affected.

A semen analysis is the way male fertility is assessed. It can examine semen volume, sperm count, concentration, movement and shape.

Assessing both partners helps the fertility team consider all possible causes.

 

What Happens During a Fertility Assessment at Cape Fertility?

At Cape Fertility, the purpose of a comprehensive fertility assessment is to identify the cause, or causes, of your fertility problem before recommending treatment.

Depending on your circumstances, the assessment may consider ovulation, ovarian and egg-related factors, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and conditions such as endometriosis and male fertility.

Two patients can struggle to conceive for the same length of time for very different reasons. Once the factors involved have been identified, your fertility specialist can recommend care that is appropriate for your particular circumstances.

 

What Happens If a Fertility Problem Is Found?

The next step depends on what the assessment reveals. Not every fertility problem requires IVF.

Ovulation problems may be treated with hormone treatment, medication or injections. PMOS may also be treated with weight management where appropriate.

Where egg quantity or quality is significantly reduced, IVF using donor eggs may be considered.

If the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, IVF can allow fertilisation to take place in the laboratory without relying on the tubes. Surgical repair may also be considered in selected cases.

Fibroid treatment may include hormonal medication, uterine fibroid embolisation, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy. Endometriosis treatment may include medication, surgery, laparoscopy or IVF depending on the symptoms being treated and your fertility goals.

The purpose of the assessment is to match treatment to the fertility problem that has actually been identified.

 

Why Choose Cape Fertility for Fertility Testing in Cape Town?

Highly Experienced and Specialist-Led Team

Your assessment and treatment are guided by reproductive specialists supported by skilled embryologists and dedicated IVF co-ordinators with formal nursing degrees.

Personalised, Compassionate Care and Support

We take time to understand your concerns, answer your questions and explain the treatment being recommended.

Strong Clinical Success Rates

Cape Fertility reports competitive IVF and ICSI success rates of up to around 45%, and donor egg success rates of up to 65%.

Comprehensive Range of Advanced Treatments

We provide fertility assessments, IUI, IVF, ICSI, egg freezing, donor programmes and male fertility services, allowing assessment and treatment to be coordinated through one team.

Personalised Cost Guidance and Support

We tailor treatment plans to your circumstances and provide guidance on medical aid and financing options.

Welcoming International Patients

Cape Fertility welcomes patients from around the world through an established international programme supported by experienced co-ordinators.

Location and Environment

Our purpose-built fertility clinic is based in Cape Town, giving local and international patients access to fertility assessment and treatment in one place.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you test if a woman is fertile?

A fertility assessment considers factors such as ovulation, egg quantity and quality, the fallopian tubes and the uterus. The areas that need investigation depend on your circumstances.

Why am I not getting pregnant if I have regular periods?

Regular periods do not confirm that every part of fertility is functioning normally. Egg-related factors, the fallopian tubes, the uterus or male fertility may still affect conception.

Do both partners need fertility testing?

Both partners should be considered because infertility may involve female factors, male factors or both. Male fertility is assessed through a semen analysis.

Where can I get fertility clinic testing in Cape Town?

Cape Fertility provides comprehensive fertility assessments and fertility treatment at our purpose-built fertility clinic in Cape Town.

 

Your Next Step

If you are not getting pregnant, the most useful next step is to find out which part of the fertility process may be preventing pregnancy.

At Cape Fertility, we perform comprehensive fertility clinic assessments to identify the factors that may be affecting your ability to conceive and guide you towards appropriate treatment.

Arranging your initial consultation is as simple as contacting us here: [Click Here]

Or by filling in the contact form below.

    At Cape Fertility, we value each individual patient and look forward to providing you with individualised and personalised care, affordable quality fertility treatment, and higher success rates at our purpose-built fertility clinic in the beautiful city of Cape Town.