Tests
3. The following tests can be done:
- A hormone profile
of the woman as FSH, LH, Estradiol, Prolactin in the beginning of the
cycle and progesterone level in the second half of the menstrual cycle
to establish ovulation.
- A sperm analysis
(or a post-coital test or Huhner's Test looking for sperm in the mucus
of the cervix).
- An x-ray of the
uterus and fallopian tubes (a hysterosalpingogram) or
- A laparoscopy (see text below) to look at, and test the patency of the tubes, and also to look for (and sometimes to treat - cauterize) endometriosis, to check the pelvis for adhesions, or any other abnormality.
These tests may show:
A. Complete infertility ("sterility"): i.e.
- Ovarian failure,
with no chance of inducing ovulation;
- Complete absence
of sperm ("azoospermia"); or
- Complete obstruction
of the fallopian tubes.
B. Relative infertility
(sub fertility): i.e. one or more of
- Infrequent ovulation
or absent ovulation partly resolved with treatment;
- A decrease in the
sperm count;
- Partial obstruction
of the tubes or the presence of scar tissue around the tube or ovary;
- Endometriosis of
any degree;
- An abnormality
of the uterus such as fibroids, polyps or scarring of it's lining;
- An abnormality
of the cervix such as a previous cone biopsy or chronic inflammation
("cervicitis");
- an immune reaction
against sperm cells ("anti-sperm antibodies") in male sperm
or female cervical mucus.
- Absence of coitus between the couple.
Not many of these abnormalities can be treated easily. Furthermore, the coexistence of more than one of the above abnormalities makes the treatment more difficult.
Sometimes no abnormality is obvious: this condition is called "unexplained infertility".
Some of these subfertility problems can be treated with simple drugs or with an operation. The aim of this treatment is to restore your chance of getting pregnant but time will still be needed. In general, the more significant the cause detected and treated (provided it can be treated) the better the chance of achieving pregnancy naturally.
Otherwise assisted
conception may be needed. Assisted conception includes the use reproductive
technology to considerably increase the chance of pregnancy. The different
methods of assisted reproduction technology are described in the following
pages.