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FERTILITY SERVICES

Investigating possible causes
of your infertility

A fertility ‘couple workup’ involves the fertility specialist taking a relevant and thorough history of both female and male partners.

The emphasis of the history would include aspects such as the following:

Age
Breast problems (development)
Contraceptive use
Current medication
Infections
Medical conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis or fallopian tube blockage

Menstrual cycle
Previous conception
Previous surgical interventions
Skin abnormalities (acne)
Weight

Tests for infertility

If female infertility is suspected, your doctor may order several tests, which will include a blood test to check your hormone levels and an endometrial biopsy to check the lining of the uterus.

Two other diagnostic tests that may be helpful in detecting scar tissue and tubal obstruction are hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

This procedure involves either doing an ultrasound or taking x-rays of the reproductive organs. Either dye or saline and air are injected into the cervix and up through the fallopian tubes. This enables the ultrasound or x-ray to reveal whether the fallopian tubes are open or blocked.

Laparoscopy

In this procedure, a laparoscope (a slender tube fitted with a fibre-optic camera) is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision near the belly button. The laparoscope enables the doctor to view the outside of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes to detect abnormal growths, as occurs in endometriosis. The doctor can also check at the same time whether the fallopian tubes are open.

Investigating possible causes of your infertility

Tests for infertility

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

Laparoscopy

Investigating possible causes
of your infertility