What should infertile women check for?

Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
Updated on September 16, 2024
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The examination of infertile women mainly includes the following aspects. First is the physical examination, which covers a general examination and an examination of the internal and external genitalia. Through the physical examination, it can be determined whether the female sexual characteristics are normal and whether there are any abnormalities in the development of the external genitalia. The second type of examination is auxiliary examination, the most common of which are blood tests and ultrasound exams. Blood tests can provide information on whether there is any infection, the type of blood, and the endocrine situation. They can also examine chromosomal conditions. Through ultrasound, it is possible to find out if there are any abnormalities in the uterine adnexa. Additionally, there are some special tests, including ovarian function tests, fallopian tube patency tests, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, and post-coital tests, among others.

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Does abortion pills cause infertility?

In clinical practice, there are many types of abortion drugs. Their primary purpose is to kill the embryo or fetus and then promote uterine contractions to expel the fetus from the uterus. From the perspective of the drugs alone, abortion drugs do not cause infertility because the drugs are metabolized quickly. However, if abortions are performed repeatedly multiple times, this may potentially lead to infertility. The cause of infertility in such cases is not related to the drugs but due to the repeated abortions, which could affect the woman's endometrium, cervix, and fallopian tubes. Therefore, it is advisable for women to minimize unnecessary abortions to reduce the risk of infertility caused by the abortions.

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Is soaking feet useful for infertility?

Whether soaking feet is beneficial for patients with infertility should be analyzed based on specific circumstances, rather than generalized. For patients with a cold uterus, soaking feet can increase blood circulation, relieve the coldness of the uterus, and facilitate the implantation of the embryo. However, the duration of soaking should not be too long, nor should the water be too hot, as this may affect the survival and development of the embryo. For patients who do not have a cold uterus, there is no need to soak their feet. It is advisable to consult a professional doctor about whether to soak feet or not. Ideally, consult a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to diagnose your physical condition before deciding if you should soak your feet and for how long.

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Can biochemical energy eliminate infertility?

Having one biochemical pregnancy does not necessarily mean that the patient is infertile. Generally, after one biochemical pregnancy, with appropriate adjustment, it is possible to have a normal pregnancy next time. The causes of biochemical pregnancy result from natural selection, most commonly due to defects in the fertilized egg itself, insufficient function of the ovarian corpus luteum, abnormalities in the endometrium, underdeveloped uterus, or conditions such as uterine fibroids or endometrial tuberculosis. These factors can affect the implantation of the fertilized egg. It is advised to undergo thorough pre-pregnancy checks before attempting to conceive again.

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Can you have sexual intercourse before infertility examination?

There are many types of examinations for infertility. If the examination is for male infertility, such as a semen analysis, it is recommended not to have sexual intercourse three days prior to the test. For females, if the examinations involve blood tests or a gynecological ultrasound, intercourse is permissible. However, if the examination includes a routine vaginal discharge test, it is advised not to have sexual intercourse for at least three days beforehand. More stringent timing is required for examinations like hysteroscopy or a fallopian tube radiography. The principle here is to conduct these tests three to seven days after menstruation has ended, in order to complete the fallopian tube radiography and hysteroscopy effectively.

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What are the tests for infertility?

For infertility examinations, men typically undergo a routine semen analysis to check for any abnormalities. If there are abnormalities in the semen analysis, further testing might be needed for conditions such as varicocele or inflammation of the testicles and epididymis. For women, the examinations generally focus on the fallopian tubes to ensure they are patent, usually assessed through hysterosalpingography or a tubal patency test. Additionally, infertility tests include an ultrasound to monitor the follicles and check for any organic diseases in the uterus and ovaries. For women with menstrual irregularities, it's crucial to perform an endocrine test, specifically the six-item sex hormone check, as normal hormonal levels are necessary for regular menstruation and ovulation, and for the normal development of a fertilized egg. Other investigations for infertility might cover immune-related infertility among others, which require specific hospital tests. Moreover, if there has been a previous incidence of miscarriage, tests might include chromosomal analysis, tests for hemolysis, mycoplasma testing, and a set of tests for genetic counseling, all of which are part of the infertility examination process.