Infertility Diagnosis and Testing in Indianapolis

 

Female hormones (estradiol and progesterone) fluctuate based on a women’s menstrual cycle and are involved in the development of eggs, ovulation, and implantation of the embryo in the uterus. For this process to occur effectively, hormones must be produced in a specific amount and time. Other reasons for hormone testing include: evaluation of ovarian age, thyroid and adrenal gland function. Levels are measured by a blood sample in the office.

 

 

The most common methods to determine your ovarian reserve (which declines with age) is: 

 

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a specialized office x-ray procedure that helps determine whether the fallopian tubes are open and if the uterus is of normal shape. The procedure involves placing a small catheter through your vagina and into the cervix to inject a small amount of contrast dye and observe the liquid filling the uterus and flowing through the tubes. Fem Vue is an office ultrasound Procedure, which uses a bubbly fluid injected into your uterus, with the fluid’s path monitored by transvaginal ultrasound.  Fem Vue is markedly less expensive than a (HSG) and is also more comfortable.

 

 

Laparoscopy is an outpatient surgical procedure to view the pelvic organs by using a small, lighted telescope (laparoscope) inserted through the abdomen at the belly button. This procedure is used to diagnose and treat problems such as blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries or other ovarian cysts, or adhesions (scar tissue) all of which may impact fertility.

 

 

Hysteroscopy is a method of examining the inside of the uterus using a small, lighted telescope (hysteroscope). Conditions that can be treated by hysteroscopy include fibroids, uterine scarring, polyps, and congenital malformations. If an hysteroscopy is indicated, it most often will be done in our our adjoining facility-The Follas Center for Reproductive Medicine.

 

 

Ultrasound is a method to view a woman’s reproductive organs using high frequency sound waves that bounce off of body structures to create pictures on a monitor.

Ultrasound is used to diagnose conditions such as ovarian aging, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or early pregnancy. During your fertility treatment cycles, ultasound is used to monitor development of follicles (cysts containing microscopic eggs) and during the egg retrieval of an In-vitro Fertilization and embryo transfer.

 

 

Semen analysis refers to looking at semen under a microscope to identify any signs of abnormality. An analysis also helps determine sperm count, viability, speed, shape, PH and presence of autoimmune antibodies. This analysis is an essential part of any fertility work-up since problems with male sperm account for 40% of all infertility experienced by couples. There is now a kit we make available to the male partner of the infertility couple so that collection can be done at home.

 

 

This test is done to asses the percentage of DNA contained within the sperm is fragmented or damaged.