Prior to starting any fertility programme, read and learn as much as you can before the medical appointment. Go for the medical appointment with your spouse and bring any recent health screening test results with you. Take note of any regular medications and supplements that you and your spouse are taking. Be upfront about your goals and needs.
The Typical Fertility Evaluation
Common fertility problems:
- Low sperm count or poor sperm quality
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blockage in the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, genetic cause or hormones problems
- Hormonal problems
- Early menopause
- Fallopian tubes blockage
- Pelvic infection (chlamydia or gonorrhoea)
Common Risk Factors of Infertility
Age
Older women produce lesser and lower quality of eggs. Testosterone levels dip as men gets older.
Sedentary lifestyle
Insufficient exercise contributes to obesity, which increases the risk of infertility. Women who over-exercise may have ovulation problems too.
Smoking
The risk of infertility in both men and women is higher in smokers than non-smokers.
Alcohol
Alcohol abuse leads to lower male and female fertility.
Obesity
Being overweight increase the risk of infertility and affect the sperm count for the male.
Medical History
Your fertility doctor will interview you while taking note of your medical histories, including asking about conditions that have a bearing on fertility, such as hormone imbalance, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases or thyroid diseases.
Provide a full account of any medication that you've taken or are taking and answer questions that may concern your sex life, such as timing and frequency of intercourse, and the reproductive histories of your parents and siblings.
Physical Examination
Semen analysis
Low sperm count or poor sperm quality is the culprit in roughly 30 to 40 per cent of infertility cases. One of the possible preliminary tests to conduct can be semen analysis.
A semen sample is collected and tested by analysing its:
- Shape
- Appearance
- Motility (activity level)
- Sperm count
Hormone screening
Either blood or urine will be tested to check the various hormones levels necessary for ovulation and ovarian reserve.
Pelvic ultrasound exam
This painless procedure uses ultrasound waves to examine the body’s interior. Ultrasound gives the doctor information about the ovaries, the uterus, and the follicles that hold eggs prior to ovulation. Ultrasound usually can detect fibroid, polyps and ovarian cysts.
Related Articles
Make An Appointment
Make an appointment online or contact the fertility clinic to consult a fertility specialist. Under Specialist Appointment Details, select "Assisted Reproductive Medicine" or "Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Fertility".
Make an enquiry. We will get back to you within 2 working days. You can reach us at 6311 1250.