Fertility research
The fertility research is personalized, since not all the diagnostic methods can be applied to every couple. After a wide ranging interview and according to the specific characteristics of every case, the gynaecologist will consider which diagnostic tests are suitable for each patient.
It is considered appropriate to undergo the research after one year has elapsed during which time the couple have been having sexual relationships without using methods of contraception and without pregnancy occurring. This period of time could be shortened in certain situations, for example, with patients whose age is close to 40 years old or when before looking for pregnancy a diagnostic test has been carried out which questions the fertility of the couple.
The basic tests in the diagnosis of infertility in couples are a hormone analysis, a histerosalpingography and a seminogram.
- Hormone analysis for the woman. It involves taking a blood sample during the first days of the cycle (sometimes also at the beginning of the period). This gives us information about the functional situation of the ovary.
- Histerosalpingography. This is a radiography in the pelvis which enables us see the uterus and, especially, the Fallopian tubes. We use a contrast that after the radiology shows us the shape of the tubes and whether they are permeable or not. Thanks to these tests we can know in most of the cases whether the tubes have an obstruction.
- Seminogram. This is an analysis of the sperm. It is also called spermiogram. Thanks to it we consider aspects that we know have influence to obtain pregnancy. Basically, we study the quantity of spermatozoids, its mobility and its shapes.
Are there any other tests involved in the diagnosis?
There are plenty of tests than can be useful in particular cases, but they are not carried out in a routine way with every patient. These tests are called complementary, and they are required after the first interview if a specific pathology is suspected or they are required in order to clarify the result of the basic tests.
The process between having the diagnosis and the start of the treatment is very short. It can be necessary to wait for a while since the hormone analysis and the histerosalpingography are conducted in a specific time of the menstrual cycle. In general, it is not usually longer than 3 or 4 weeks from the first interview until the patients receive the research results.
Sometimes, the test results are absolutely normal. In fact, this happens approximately to between 20% and 30% of the couples. In such cases, we speak about unknown cause. It does not mean that there is not a problem, but that once all the reasonable diagnostic resources are carried out we can not identify any particular cause. The fact of not being able to determine a cause for the problem, does not stop undergoing the treatments that usually have not a worse prediction in these sort of cases.
When the results of the tests are given, the gynaecologist explains in detail these results in a way that can be easily understood. At the same time, the gynaecologist gives you the information about all the alternatives that can be reasonable in your case. During this visit and after knowing the opinion of the patient as well, a strategy to carry on is designed.
In almost every case, the treatment planning is instantaneous and it starts after the following cycle of the woman.
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