FERTILITY TESTING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

26 August 20212′ read1 sections

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of sexual intercourse without contraception. Many factors can affect your ability to conceive a baby: your age, your medical and sexual history, the medications you take, your use of caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, and exposure to environmental toxins.

Working with a specialist medical team that focuses on the comprehensive assessment and treatment of infertility can help you understand your options. After taking a detailed medical history and recording your lifestyle and habits, your doctor may recommend fertility tests.

What you should know about fertility testing:

Fertility testing is something a couple should do together, as both partners may play a part in the situation. There is no single test for infertility. A comprehensive fertility assessment includes a series of tests together with a physical examination and a detailed medical history.

The specific tests and procedures your doctor may order include:

Ovulation testing to establish whether the woman releases an egg each month. This can be done by testing urine (luteinising hormone) or blood (progesterone), or by recording body temperature daily to track the rise in temperature shortly before ovulation.
Measurement of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol levels in the blood to make sure the body is preparing the ovaries to release an egg each month.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) testing as a marker of ovarian reserve.
To assess the fallopian tubes, ovarian follicles and uterus, your doctor may ask you to have a hysterosalpingogram, transvaginal ultrasound or saline infusion sonogram.
Semen analysis to assess semen volume and sperm concentration, motility and morphology.

Together, you and your doctor will review your individual medical history and decide on the tests and treatment that are most appropriate for you. At the "Dr. Alexandros Traianos" Centre for Reproductive Medicine we understand the stress associated with infertility, and we are here to help you find answers in this very personal situation.

With state-of-the-art facilities and an experienced team of scientists specialising in Reproductive Medicine, our Centre is ready to help you grow your family. For information, call (+30) 2310 277 032 or send an email to alexandrostraianos@gmail.com

*The content of this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have about medical conditions.

TAGSsemen analysisfertility testingIVF centers in Thessaloniki

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

All articles

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

What you should know about fertility testing:

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?