Infertility Treatments
FERTILITY TESTS FOR WOMEN
There are numerous causes of infertility in women and may involve a combination of factors. Before y setting out the best treatment plan for you, you may have to undergo the following examinations:
Hormonal tests
Hormonal tests include measuring:
- FSH-LH-estradiol: on the 1-4th day of the period. They show the reserve and quality of the eggs in the ovaries,
- progesterone: on the 21st day of the cycle (or 7 days after ovulation). It shows whether there was ovulation,
- prolactin, androgens and thyroid hormone, regardless of the days of the cycle,
- AMH – Antimullerian hormone , regardless of the days of the cycle. This is a new and very reliable simple blood test that provides a very good estimate of the number and quality of the eggs that you have in your ovaries.
Transvaginal uterine – ovarian – tubal ultrasound
Transvaginal ultrasound checks the anatomy of the uterus, the endometrium, the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. It can indicate if you have fibroids or polyps, hydrosalpinx, ovarian cysts, or polycystic ovaries. It also provides very reliable information about your ovarian reserve.
Hysterosalpingography
In the case of a radiological examination we can see whether the uterine cavity is normal and whether the fallopian tubes are patent or pathologically inflated. Surgery does not provide any information about the ovaries.
The salpingography is done 5 days after the end of the period and lasts about 5-10 minutes. It can be a little painful for some women, so it’s a good idea to take a painkiller (e.g. Panadol extra) one hour before testing, in combination with a spasmolytic medicine (e.g.Buscopan). After the exam you can return to work.
After undergoing salpingography you may have a very small amount of blood for 1-2 days and you should take prophylactic antibiotic treatment for 4 days. Your exposure to radiation is minimal and you can get pregnant during the same cycle as it does not affect the eggs.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia and can be simply diagnostic and / or invasive. When diagnosed, it is minor surgery in which a fiber optic telescope (laparoscope) passes through a small incision in the navel and allows direct examination and complete examination of female genitalia (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes) but also other intra-abdominal organs (intestine, liver, gall bladder, etc.).
Laparoscopy can be used to diagnose conditions related to infertility, such as endometriosis , pelvic adhesions , ovarian cysts, fibroids and others. Hospitalization lasts usually one night.
Learn more about laparoscopic procedures.
See video of laparoscopic surgery by Dr. Ioannidis.
Hysteroscopy
It is minor surgery during which a fiber optic hysteroscope passes through the cervix without incisions inside the uterus and inspects its cavity for polyps , fibroids , adhesions and pathological anatomy . [Diagnostic Hysteroscopy]
If deemed necessary during hysteroscopy, treatment and removal-correction of these pathological conditions may be performed. [Interventional Hysteroscopy].
The surgery is done on a daily basis, lasts 10-30 minutes and the patient does not have to spend the night at the hospital. It should take place the week after the end of the period. After examination and for 1-2 days the patient may suffer little pain and minor bleeding.
We do not recommend that the surgery is performed at places (e.g. medical practices, IVF units) where only diagnostic hysteroscopy is possible, because if a pathological problem (e.g. polyps, fibroids, adhesions) is detected, the woman shall also undergo a repeat interventional hysteroscopy.
