Pearl obstetrics | gynaecology


Investigating fertility & infertility

  • infertility
    Fertility & infertility
    Call us for an appointment to check you and your partner out.

Infertility | Fertility tests | Glengarry Private Hospital

There are several basic sets of investigations needed when a person or couple present with fertility problems (sub-fertility, infertility). The more advanced tests need to be done at PIVET fertility centre as they require special expertise and support facilities.

Testing the male partner’s fertility

Semen analysis 

  • Volume, count, motility, appearance
  • Any problems needs a repeat sample in 3 months

 

Urinalysis

  • Clinical & sub-clinical infections eg. chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma

 

General health testing

  • Blood count
  • Liver function
  • Kidney function
  • Blood sugar
  • Thyroid function

 

Hormones

  • Done if the sperm is abnormal
  • Karyotyping
  • FSH, LH, PRL, Testosterone

 

Advanced sperm tests

  • DNA fragmentation testing
  • Anti-sperm antibodies
  • Microscopy

 

Ultrasound 

  • Testicles
  • Epididymis
  • Veins

 

Surgical retrieval of sperm

  • Aspiration
  • TESA
  • MESA
  • Open retrieval of sperm with biopsy of testicles

 

 

Testing the female partner’s fertility

Cycle & ovulation

  • Hormones: FSH, LH, PRL, Testosterone, Free androgen index, DHEA, E2, P4, TFTs, 17OH-P
  • Serial tracking of some of these hormones – E2, LH, P4
  • Ultrasound with follicular tracking

 

Infection and sub-fertility

  • All clinical & subclinical infections relevant to subfertility
  • Serology testing: Hep B&C, HIV, TPHA – for the subsequent pregnancy

 

Cervix & uterus in infertility

  • Cervical smear
  • Ultrasound & 3D ultrasound
  • Hysteroscopy & endometrial biopsy: allows removal of polyps & fibroids; also innovative refashioning of the interior of the abnormal uterus can be done at hysteroscopy.
  • Post-coital test: controversial but may give some useful information.

 

Fallopian tubes & fertility

  • HSG: an x-ray of the uterus & Fallopian tubes done while awake
  • HyCoSy: a scan of the uterus & Fallopian tubes using special dye, done asleep or awake
  • Laparoscopy & dye insufflation

 

All of these enhance implantation & fertility for a few cycles afterwards. Laparoscopy can also remove cysts, endometriosis, adhesions, fibroids; also drilling the ovaries at laparoscopy is possible in PCOS. All of these enhance fertility.

Ovaries

  • Hormone tracking
  • Antral follicle count at ultrasound
  • AMH to assess ovarian reserve & individualise hormone therapy
  • Ovarian drilling at laparoscopy

Fertility tests

Call us for an appointment if you're having trouble getting pregnant.


PEARL obstetrics | gynaecology

Our office is situated near Glengarry Private Hospital in Perth. We provide easy free parking. We're easily accessible from Joondalup, Hillarys, Stirling, Currambine, Ocean Reef, Beldon, Connolly, Edgewater, Wanneroo, Burns Beach, Sorrento, Padbury, Marmion, Watermans Bay, North Beach, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Carine, Balcatta, Westminster, Mirrabooka, Malaga, Hamersley, Koondoola, Girrawheen, Marangaroo, Greenwood, Warwick, Madeley, Darch, Wangara, Kallaroo, Craigie, Heathridge, Woodvale, Scarborough, Doubleview, Innaloo, Osbourne Park, Wembley Downs, Tuart Hill, Trigg, North Beach. The Western suburbs (Cottesloe, Claremont, City Beach, Floreat, Swanbourne) are all within easy reach.