It’s important to understand what is causing infertility in order to recommend the most appropriate course of care and ensure your success. Below are several ways we help identify the core challenges that exist so that we can help you achieve pregnancy as quickly as possible.
Ultrasound
A transvaginal ultrasound is performed at the initial visit to assess for any ovarian, uterine, or tubal abnormalities (such as fibroids, cysts, fluid filled fallopian tubes, or polyps). Following the start of a menstrual cycle the ultrasound is again performed to look the uterus and ovaries as well as assess the antralfollicle count, which indicates the reserve of the ovaries and shows the number off eggs ready to run the ovulation “race” each cycle.
Blood work
Hormonal blood work is ordered around cycle day 3 to determine your current levels of E2 (Estradiol) and FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone). Another very important test is the AMH (Antimullerian hormone), which helps assess the reserve of the ovaries. A woman’s thyroid hormone levels are also routinely evaluated. Complete bloodwork on both the patient and partner are done to assess overall health.
HSG
This test is used to determine tubal patency. The test can either be performed in the office using saline or in a hospital/surgery center setting depending on a woman’s history and ultrasound findings. With the saline HSG bubble filled saline is inserted into the uterus and by ultrasound the tubes are evaluated to see the fluid spill by the ovaries. With the x-ray HSG an x-ray machine is used to evaluate if the dye that is inserted through the cervix into the uterus flows through the fallopian tubes and spills out both sides to ensure the tubes are opened.
Hysteroscopy
These tests are used to evaluate the uterine cavity. The hysteroscopy is routinely performed in a surgery center setting with the patient awake with a small camera inserted through the cervix and into the uterus to confirm the cavity is normal with no polyps or fibroids, which if found can be removed.
Saline Sonogram
A saline infusion ultrasound is an in-office procedure that is used to evaluate the uterine cavity. While a saline sonogram can also assess the uterus by looking with ultrasound as the cavity is dilated with fluid, no immediate treatment can take place, unlike with a hysteroscopy.
Semen Analysis
A semen analysis provides overall semen volume, sperm count, motility (movement), and shapes. Using these criteria, our laboratory technicians determine if the sperm sample is normal or abnormal, which depending on the results can affect the sperm fertilizing and egg and therefore leading to infertility.
Download formsKnowledge is power, but action gets results. Schedule your first visit with us, and learn more about what to expect at your first visit.