The first step in overcoming a fertility issue is to achieve an accurate diagnosis of what is actually causing it. We offer the latest technology, the most sophisticated diagnostic tests and procedures that can help increase your chances of successful treatment.
Do I need an IVF diagnostic test?
When you are experiencing fertility issues, several tests may be needed before starting treatment. These are designed to help us reach an accurate fertility diagnosis and design a personalised treatment plan for you. We are looking at key areas including:
- Are you ovulating normally?
- Are your Fallopian tubes functioning?
- Are your partner’s sperm normal and functional?
We will carry out tests to determine ovarian reserve and to analyse sperm health and viability. You will also have some basic health checks such as your Body Mass Index and blood pressure, and we will carry out a pelvic ultrasound scan.
When you have experienced recurrent miscarriage, or you’ve had unsuccessful IVF treatment, then it’s likely that you will need more sophisticated diagnostic testing. Our personalised approach to your testing means we make sure that we give you the most appropriate tests, designed to save you time and expense but, most importantly, delivering accurate results which will help us give you the most appropriate treatment plan for your own individual needs.
Female IVF diagnostic tests
Hormone screening
Hormone screening and testing can give us an indication of everything from how many eggs you’re able to produce, to whether you might have an underlying medical condition – and all of this information will help us to give you the right fertility treatment.
Could testing my hormones be for me?
If you’re a new patient or suffering from unexplained fertility problems we’re likely to suggest hormone screening, as it can really help us to better understand your needs.
In women, we can use hormone screening to explore possible causes of irregular cycles and check your ovarian reserves, which helps us to understand how many eggs you might be able to produce during treatment. In men, particular hormones can be good indicators of how much sperm you’re able to produce.
What does hormone screening involve?
Almost all hormone screenings involve a simple blood test. Depending on what we’re looking to find out, there are a number of things we might be checking for.
Ovarian reserve
To get an indication of your ovarian reserves, we’ll analyse your levels of antimullerian hormone (AMH) and/or do an antral follicle count (AFC), which involves a simple ultrasound scan. We might also look at your levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) as a measure of ovarian reserve.
Irregular cycles
There are lots of reasons why your cycle might be a little irregular, and it could be caused by hormones. We can check for prolactin, androgens, and thyroxine – which is produced by the thyroid – to see whether they could be part of the problem.
Pelvic ultrasound
The pre-treatment pelvic ultrasound helps us to plan your treatment. This type of ultrasound, also known as a 3D trans-vaginal pelvic ultrasound scan, helps us to get a much clearer picture of your womb, ovaries, and pelvis. We also use it to check the quality of your womb lining – the endometrium – and to calculate the dosage of drugs you might need for IVF treatment.
Could a pelvic ultrasound be for me?
Taking a closer look at your womb, ovaries, and pelvis allows us to look for any problems or conditions as well as decide how much medication you might need to produce the right number of eggs for treatment.
There’s a lot we can find out using a pre-treatment ultrasound scan, so we’re likely to recommend it to most patients considering IVF or ICSI.
What does a pelvic ultrasound involve?
Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves to get pictures of the inside of the body without using X-rays. For this type of ultrasound scan we use a specially designed ultrasound probe, which is gently inserted into the vagina in a safe, short, and painless procedure. We then move the ultrasound probe into different positions to clearly visualise the uterus and ovaries.
By doing a trans-vaginal scan, we’re able to get the probe closer to the pelvic organs to get a better picture – meaning we can get a much better idea of your needs.
Recurrent implantation failure screening
There can be many reasons behind recurrent miscarriages or implantation failures.
If you’ve experienced a miscarriage or implantation failure, there are many tests we can offer depending on your individual circumstances. Depending on what we discover, we can offer you different treatments to then increase your chances of successful implantation.
If you would like more information on any of these tests and to find out if they are suitable for you, you will be able to discuss with your doctor at your consultation. We also have detailed Patient Information documents on all of our tests and treatments.
Male IVF diagnostic tests
Male fertility problems can be due to a number of issues and diagnosis usually involves a general physical examination and semen analysis. We can offer cutting edge male diagnostic tests too, which check for chromosomal issues, or sperm DNA damage.
You can read more about these tests below.
Hormone screening
Hormone screening and testing, also sometimes known as a male hormone profile test, can give us an indication of everything from how many sperm you’re able to produce, to whether you might have an underlying medical condition – and all of this information will help us to give you the right fertility treatment.
Could testing my hormones be for me?
In men, particular hormones can be good indicators of how much sperm you’re able to produce.
If you’re a new patient or suffering from unexplained fertility problems we’re likely to suggest hormone screening, as it can really help us to better understand your needs. Following these tests we will be able to recommend the best fertility treatment for you. If able to use your own sperm this is likely to be:
- IUI
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) simply means putting prepared sperm into the uterus. It has been more commonly known as artificial insemination.
- IVF
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a method of fertilising an egg by placing it with a specially-prepared sperm sample.
- ICSI
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a laboratory procedure carried out during fertility treatment where an individual sperm is injected directly into an egg.
What does hormone screening involve?
The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in your blood can help us get an idea of how much sperm you might be producing. We’ll also check your testosterone levels.
Virology Screening
Virology Screening is required of all our patients who are planning on using their own sperm in their fertility treatment. This important first step is where we check for viral infections, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, which you may not be aware you have but could impact your fertility and your treatment. Knowing if you have any of these viral infections will allow us to advise you on what steps, if any, need to be taken before starting treatment.
What does virology screening involve?
The virology screening is a relatively quick and painless step at the start of the fertility treatment process. We check for viral infections by taking a small blood sample for testing.
Semen analysis
The quality of your sperm is really important in deciding your next steps.
What is semen analysis?
Semen analysis is the process where we analyse a sample of your semen using various techniques and equipment to determine the quality of your sperm.
How can semen analysis help me?
Male fertility problems are one of the largest known causes of infertility in couples – in fact, they contribute to up to 30%–50% of cases. Sperm analysis is essential to both diagnosis and treatment, so when you come to us, your sperm is one of the first things we’ll need to check.
Could semen analysis be right for me?
Whether or not you’re generally healthy or have had a child before, we’ll always recommend semen analysis to every man that comes to CARE. When couples are struggling to start a family around 30% of cases are related to sperm, so it’s essential we see whether this is a possibility.
We’d usually book you in for semen analysis before your first consultation or as part of a fertility assessment. That way, the results will be ready when you meet your consultant.
How to prepare for semen analysis
Before the sperm test, you’ll need to abstain from sex for three to five days. Ideally also avoid, alcohol, majuiana and any herbal remedies such as St John’s Wort.
What does semen analysis involve?
Before the sperm test, you’ll need to abstain from sex for three to five days. When we test your semen sample, we’ll assess:
- Ejaculate volume
- Sperm concentration (number)
- Sperm motility (how well they’re swimming)
- Sperm morphology (their shape, size, and appearance)
- Presence of white or red blood cells
- Whether there’s an immune response, known as anti-sperm antibodies, against sperm proteins