FERTILITY EVALUATION

By Joseph Hazan,M.D., FACOG

Fertility evaluation consists of

checking for ovulation, semen

analysis and determination of

tubal patency.

Additional tests are done if

indicated based on the above.

Some of these are blood hormone

tests, ultrasound, chromosome

studies, cultures, laparoscopy,

hysteroscopy, postcoital test.

OVULATION is  detected by an

ovulation predictor kit,

elevation of basal body temperature

and cervical mucus changes to

clear and stretchy.

HEALTH ISSUES such as smoking,

drug, alcohol, overweight or underweight,

chemical exposure, certain medications,

sexually transmitted infections are

significant.

SEMEN ANALYSIS checks  the sperm count

per cubic centimeter of semen, volume of

semen, sperm motility and sperm morphology

(shape).

BLOOD TESTS are done to check levels

of FSH, LH, progesterone, thyroid,

blood sugar, estrogen,

prolactin, testosterone and

STI ( sexually

transmitted infection).

TUBAL PATENCY is tested by doing an HSG

(hysterosalpingogram) to visualize the

fallopian tubes and the uterus by x-ray.

ULTRASOUND uses sound waves to

view the uterus, ovaries and follicles

which contain eggs.

LAPAROSCOPY could be needed to

directly view the pelvic organs.

HYSTEROSCOPY is used to visualize

the inside of the cervix and uterus.

Tomorrow we will look into some of the

treatments.