IPSA Medical fertility clinic and infertility investigations
Diagnosing infertility
Diagnosing the cause of infertility holds less importance now than it did even a few years ago. At IPSA Medical Clinic, the series of infertility tests are as much prognostic (tests used to predict the likely course your infertility will take) as they are diagnostic (tests used to determine the cause of your infertility) in nature.
At IPSA Medical, our fertility experts will work towards identifying your infertility issues whether it stems either from you or your partner. Your IPSA Medical consultation will involve an in-depth analysis of your medical history-taking alongside a semen analysis test. At IPSA Medical Clinic, we respect your privacy/confidentiality, and the atmosphere is encouraging for these discussions to take place. Typically, your IPSA Medical fertility practitioner will ask you about menstrual regularity, how long you and your partner have been trying to conceive, and about any weight fluctuations, you might have had in the past. Your age is also a critical factor, not only regarding your fertility status but also regarding the likely post-treatment outcome.
Further fertility tests
If the male’s sperm shows an adequate count and motility, then your IPSA Medical specialist begins analysing the female partner for any infertility issues using further invasive tests. Some of the infertility tests for women that might be suggested during your IPSA Medical fertility consultation are:
- Keyhole laparoscopy: this test permits the treatment and/or visualisation of your reproductive tubes and uterus; however, if the most probable form of treatment is IVF, then laparoscopy is not usually helpful.
- A pelvic examination: your IPSA Medical fertility specialist will examine your pelvis.
- An ultrasound (or USS) scan: to assess if you have any ovarian cysts.
- Blood tests: these tests measure the levels of the female hormones FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and AMH (anti-mullerian hormone). FSH levels are used to determine your ovarian function whereas AMH are indicative of ovarian reserve. The FSH and AMH tests help your IPSA Medical specialist to decide on the best fertility treatment and to determine the chances of successful treatment.
- Chlamydia screening: this test can be useful to determine your chances of having damaged fallopian tubes or PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), and may then mean that you will undergo diagnostic laparoscopy with a general anaesthetic.
- Androgen hormone tests: if your androgen hormone level (the so-called male hormone) is high, you could have polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS).
When should I go to IPSA Medical fertility clinic?
If you answer yes to one (or more than one) of the questions below, you may not actually have fertility issues, but you might save both worry and time by getting checked out at your IPSA Medical fertility clinic.
Do you:
- Have irregular periods (varying from a less than 24-day cycle to a more than 35-day cycle)?
- Have painful periods?
- Worry about not yet being able to get pregnant?
- Have diabetes, a thyroid problem or Cushing’s disease?
Have you:
- Unsuccessfully been attempting to get pregnant for over a year?
- Undergone any major abdominal surgery?
- Ever had an ectopic pregnancy?
- Ever had chlamydia?
- Ever had PID?
- Had any discharge of milk from your breasts?
- (Or your partner) been in a previous partnership and were unable to conceive?
About your partner:
- Has he had any past testicular injuries?
- Has he ever had mumps?
- Has he ever had testicular surgery?
- Does he have difficulty making love?
- Does he have problems ejaculating?
Are you overweight (or underweight), or over 35?
Are you and your partner unable to make love on a regular basis?
Call our Medical Fertility Clinic today for a Infertility Investigation.
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