The first step is a detailed interview. A thorough infertility interview should involve both partners, and ask about:

• 1. Your medical histories, including any chronic illnesses or surgeries
• 2. Your use of prescription medication
• 3. Your use of caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs
• 4. Your exposure to chemicals, toxins, or radiation in the home or at work
• 5. How often you have sex
• 6. Your history of birth control use
• 7. Any history of sexually transmitted diseases
• 8. Any problems having sex

Infertility is due to problems related to the woman about two-thirds of the time. A doctor will likely ask a woman questions about her gynecologic history :

• 1. Have you been pregnant before and what was the outcome of those pregnancies?
• 2. How often have you had periods over the last year?
• 3. Have you had irregular and missed periods or had spotting between periods?
• 4. Have you had any changes in blood flow or the appearance of large blood clots?
• 5. What methods of birth control have you used?
• 6. Have you seen a doctor before for fertility problems and undergone treatment for them?