Fertility Testing

Fertility Tests for Women

• Blood tests scheduled between days 2 and 5 of the menstrual cycle to measure hormones such as FSH, LH, estradiol, testosterone, prolactin and TSH.

• Blood tests to detect transmissible diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, blood group and Rubella immunity.

• An ultrasound scan of the uterus and ovaries scheduled between days 2 and 5 of the menstrual cycle.

• A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) which involves taking an X-ray image of the uterus and fallopian tubes after injecting a small amount of dye through the cervix into the uterus to check for obstructions in the fallopian tubes. In the case of blocked tubes, the HSG will indicate the site of obstruction. The amount of radiation involved in performing an HSG is small and not harmful. The HSG will also show the shape and condition of the uterine cavity and is particularly useful in cases of repeated miscarriages. During the HSG, you may have some lower abdominal discomfort. If you have had a pelvic infection in the past, you will need to take antibiotics around the time your HSG has been scheduled. The HSG takes only a few minutes to perform and is an outpatient procedure; it should not be scheduled during menstruation or later than ten days in your cycle to avoid X-ray exposure to the fetus in case of a pregnancy.

Fertility Tests for Men

• Sperm analysis to evaluate the volume of the ejaculate, acidity (Ph) of the semen, number of sperm, percentage of motile sperm, morphology (shape) of the sperm, and the number of round cells in the semen. In case of an abnormal first analysis, the patient is requested to repeat the test. Male factor infertility is only diagnosed after repeated abnormal semen analysis.

• Blood tests for hormones such as FSH, LH, estradiol, and testosterone (if indicated)

• Blood tests for transmissible diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

• Other tests might be ordered depending on the patient’s history