email - info@fertilityconnect.com

Text Size - Normal - Large

infertility - Fertility Information - What Is Infertility? - Initial Investigations

Initial Investigations

Female

Hormonal profile, taken between Day 2-Day 6 of the cycle.

• FSH- Follicle Stimulating Hormone which stimulates the ovary to produce a follicle
• LH- Luteninizing Hormone which matures the egg in the follicle
• Day 21 Progesterone- Checks ovulation

Baseline Scan

In any form of investigations or treatment a baseline ultra sound scan will be performed. This is to check the position of the uterus and to determine if there are fibroids or polyp’s present that could cause complications with an embryo implanting. The ovaries are also scanned and measured. The size of the ovaries can be used as another indicator of the female’s ovarian reserve. The ovarian reserve relates to the number of eggs present in the ovaries. The size of the ovaries may also be an indicator of how a woman may respond to the drugs used in fertility treatment. The eggs themselves cannot be seen in the ovary hence the measurement of the ovaries. In addition the number of antral follicles present at the beginning of the cycle may be noted. Antral follicles are small follicles that are reacting to the production of FSH produced from Day 2 to Day 6 of the cycle. These follicles will not all develop into mature follicles, only one/ two will continue to grow to become a dominant follicle. The number of antral follicles present acts as another indicator of the ovarian reserve.

Male

Semen analysis.

It is recommended that the male abstains from intercourse for 36-48 hours prior to producing the sample.

Further investigations

Female

If all hormonal blood test are within normal parameters then the possibility of blocked tubes resulting in infertility will need to be explored.

Hycosy-Hystero Contrast Sonography

This investigation checks the patency of the fallopian tubes and the uterus. It is performed mid cycle around Day 14. The procedure involves a speculum being passed so that the cervix can be clearly seen. The vagina is then cleaned. A fine catheter is passed through the cervix into the uterus. Sometime this can cause the uterus to spasm which is similar to a period pain. The speculum is then removed. A vaginal ultra sound probe is then used in conjunction with the procedure. A fluid is injected into the catheter which is then seen passing into the uterus and through the tubes. If the fallopian tubes are blocked then this fluid will not be seen to pass through and out of the tubes. This in turn could be diagnosed as the reason for infertility.

HSG-Hystero-Salpingogram

This investigation checks the patency of the fallopian tubes and the uterus. The procedure involves a speculum being passed so that the cervix can be clearly seen. A fluid is then injected into the catheter is then seen passing into the uterus and through the tubes. A series of x-rays are then taken whilst the fluid passes up through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes.

For both of these procedures it is likely that antibiotics and a long acting analgesic should be prescribed by your clinic/doctor.

return to top of page

copyright © 2005-2006 www.fertilityconnect.com