Precautions for Infertility Examination

Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
Updated on March 25, 2025
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Infertility examinations primarily involve tests for both men and women. For men, the examination includes a semen analysis which requires abstinence for 2-7 days. Semen should be collected through masturbation, using a specialized semen collection cup provided by the laboratory. Ordinary condoms should not be used for semen collection. After collection, the semen must be kept warm and promptly delivered back to the laboratory. For women, the examinations include several aspects. First, during the menstrual period, blood is drawn on an empty stomach between the 2nd and 4th days to check hormone levels, and an ultrasound is used to assess the baseline state of the ovaries. Second, between the 3rd and 7th days after the menstrual period ends, when sexual intercourse is prohibited, tests are conducted to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes. These may include hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy to evaluate the condition of the fallopian tubes. Third, monitoring ovulation with ultrasound begins from the 8th to 10th day of the menstrual cycle, tracking the development of follicles and the uterine lining until the follicle matures and ovulation occurs.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of infertility

Infertility may be due to factors involving either the male or the female. The main causes of female infertility include ovulatory disorders and fallopian tube factors. Ovulatory disorders may result from dysfunction in ovulation, such as changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, as well as ovarian diseases, with polycystic ovary syndrome being the most common condition that could lead to ovulatory issues. Fallopian tube factors include blockages or inefficiencies, which can also cause infertility in women. Uterine factors can also lead to infertility, including abnormalities of the uterus, inflammation of the endometrium, polyps in the endometrium, and intrauterine adhesions, all of which can affect the implantation of the fertilized egg and cause infertility. Abnormal cervical mucus secretion, cervical inflammation, and an unusual immune environment in cervical mucus that affects sperm passage can also lead to infertility. Male infertility factors primarily include disorders of sperm production and sperm delivery, which may manifest as abnormalities in semen, shown by the absence of sperm, weak sperm, or low sperm count, all contributing to infertility. Additionally, sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation, anejaculation, and erectile dysfunction can also result in male infertility.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How should one pay attention to diet with infertility?

Infertility requires first identifying the cause of infertility, whether it is related to male factors or female factors. The likelihood of diet affecting infertility is not very high, however, if there is excessive obesity or extreme thinness, appropriate changes need to be made. Relevant examinations should be conducted, such as tests for blood sugar, insulin levels, etc. Patients with infertility should, like everyone else, avoid overly selective eating habits, pay attention to their weight, and maintain a balanced diet to ensure adequate nutrition intake, and avoid eating junk food.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
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The seven items of infertility are as follows:

In the examination items for infertility, the seven-item infertility tests are often mentioned. These seven tests include: anti-sperm antibody test, anti-endometrial antibody test, anti-zona pellucida antibody test, anti-trophoblast antibody test, anti-chorionic gonadotropin antibody test, anti-zinc ion antibody test, and anti-ovarian antibody test. Each of these tests targets different conditions. The anti-sperm antibody test and anti-endometrial antibody test are mainly used for the auxiliary diagnosis of immunological infertility. The anti-trophoblast antibody test is mainly used for diagnosing recurrent miscarriage. The anti-chorionic antibody test is primarily for the diagnostic examination of threatened miscarriage. The anti-zona pellucida antibody test is used mainly for the auxiliary diagnosis of premature ovarian failure. The anti-ovarian antibody test is used for conditions such as premature ovarian failure, infertility, menstrual disorders, etc. The anti-chorionic antibody test plays a role in the diagnosis of threatened miscarriage, and the anti-zinc ion antibody test is used for recurrent miscarriage and stillbirth and other related diseases.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
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Can low estrogen cause infertility?

If a woman's blood test reveals low estrogen levels, it may affect normal conception. Firstly, with low estrogen levels throughout the menstrual cycle, there can't be a peak change, which may lead to abnormal ovulation or anovulation. Additionally, if estrogen levels are low, the endometrium cannot proliferate effectively, leading to insufficient endometrial thickness and making it difficult for the fertilized egg to implant. Some women may conceive despite these issues; however, due to insufficient hormone levels, they may experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, threatened miscarriage, or even arrested fetal development.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What to eat to regulate the body for cold-induced infertility?

Cold body infertility, in traditional Chinese medicine, is mainly caused by the deficiency of spleen and kidney yang. Clinically, this will manifest as a pattern of deficiency and coldness. At this time, one should first make adjustments through diet. The diet should include more warm foods and less raw, cold, especially frozen foods, and more animal-based foods, which are beneficial for the body, such as beef, lamb, dog meat, fish, shrimp, leeks, pepper, and Sichuan pepper, etc. At the same time, one should also engage in more physical exercise to get the body moving and slightly sweating, which can improve the cold constitution and increase the chance of conception.