What tests are done for infertility?

Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
Updated on October 24, 2024
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Couples who have lived together for more than a year and have regular sexual intercourse without using any contraception and still have not conceived are diagnosed with infertility. For men, it is referred to as sterility. Infertility requires couples to visit the reproductive medicine department for relevant infertility tests. The tests for men are simpler, primarily requiring abstinence from sexual activity for two to seven days before undergoing a semen analysis. For women, the tests vary depending on the condition but generally include the following aspects: First, blood tests related to endocrinology are conducted 2 to 4 days into menstruation. Second, from 3 to 7 days after menstruation ends, during which sexual intercourse should be avoided, tests can be conducted to check the patency of the fallopian tubes. Third, ovulation can be monitored by ultrasound from days 9 to 11 of the menstrual cycle until ovulation is confirmed. Additionally, routine gynecological examinations, including checks of the cervix and ultrasound examinations, are also conducted.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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Is secondary infertility easy to treat?

If it is infertility, treatment is relatively difficult and generally not easy. First, for secondary infertility, it depends on the cause. If it's due to fallopian tube blockage, the extent of the blockage needs to be considered. If it is because the ovaries do not ovulate, then it is necessary to go to the hospital for endocrine testing. Treatment should be based on the results of the endocrine tests, and only when hormone levels are normal will there be normal ovulation and clear fallopian tubes. Without problems related to immunity, it is possible to properly prepare for pregnancy. Therefore, if it is secondary infertility, it is essential to go to the hospital for infertility-related examinations to identify any abnormalities and treat them accordingly. Both primary and secondary infertility are difficult to treat.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
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Can uterine bleeding cause infertility?

Uterine bleeding can be normal or abnormal. Normal uterine bleeding refers to menstruation, which does not lead to infertility. Lack of uterine bleeding may indicate abnormal endocrine function, which could potentially cause infertility. However, if uterine bleeding occurs at times other than menstruation, it is considered abnormal uterine bleeding. There are various causes for abnormal uterine bleeding, and it can affect pregnancy. The most common reason for abnormal uterine bleeding is hormonal imbalance, which leads to irregular ovulation and may result in infertility.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
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What are the routine examinations for infertility?

Infertility examinations typically include physical exams and special tests. Physical exams mainly involve checking the development of internal and external reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. Special tests can include examining the quality of male semen, endocrine conditions, and anti-sperm antibodies. Additional procedures can include scrotal ultrasound, prostate ultrasound, prostate massage fluid analysis, and monitoring of the spermatic veins with ultrasound to check for varicoceles. For females, it is important to check for any underlying diseases and ensure normal development of the uterus, ovaries, and adnexa. Examinations should also check for uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriomas, and assess for any abnormalities in the reproductive tract. Monitoring ovulation is also crucial to identify any abnormalities in ovulation. If ovulation is normal, the patency of the fallopian tubes should be checked, which can be done through a fallopian tube iodine contrast imaging procedure.

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Can acute salpingitis cause infertility?

If there is inflammation in the fallopian tubes, it can potentially lead to infertility. Inflammation causes the fallopian tubes to thicken, affecting their function. Firstly, the function of the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube is impacted, which affects the tube's ability to capture eggs. Secondly, the inflammation can affect the union of sperm and egg within the fallopian tube, making fertilization difficult. Moreover, inflammation of the fallopian tubes can also increase the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy. This happens because when the fallopian tubes are inflamed, their ability to transport the fertilized egg to the uterus is impaired, leading to ectopic pregnancies. Therefore, it is crucial for women with fallopian tube inflammation to undergo adequate anti-inflammatory treatment before trying to conceive. Commonly used medications include cephalosporins and penicillin.

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How long does it take to be considered infertile when trying to conceive?

Pregnancy for women requires a certain amount of time to be successful, and if one cannot become pregnant in the short term, it does not necessarily mean infertility. It could be due to irregular ovulation or incorrect timing of sexual activity. In clinical practice, it is generally considered that if one has been trying to conceive normally without deliberate contraception and still cannot become pregnant after a year, then infertility should be diagnosed. For cases where conception hasn't occurred after a year of trying, examinations should be carried out for both partners to determine if there are any pathological factors. First, the male partner should have chromosome and sperm analysis; Second, the female partner should be checked for chromosomal infections, immune factors, rheumatology factors, etc. After clearly identifying the reasons, interventions should be made as much as possible to guide normal conception.