|
Who will be Assessing my Fertility?
Answer:The Herts and Essex Fertility Centre has three highly experienced clinicians who have a wealth of experience in fertility. Your review appointment will be with one of these clinicians who will thoroughly review your results with you and discuss your options in detail. You will then receive a full fertility assessment report.
Why do I have to wait 2 weeks for my second appointment?
Answer:The AMH test that looks at your ovarian reserve takes at least 10 days to be completed
If I am a man and concerned with my fertility potential can I still arrange an assessment?
Answer:Of course, we would do a full semen analysis and a scientist will review the results with you in depth.
We are struggling to conceive after having a natural conception, will One Stop Fertility give us answers?
Answer:Yes, many couples struggle with what we call secondary infertility, this is the term used for couples failing to conceive or carry a baby to term after successfully naturally conceiving. In fact secondary infertility is often more common than primary infertility.
Reasons for secondary infertility tend to be the same as reasons for primary infertility. It is likely that since you were last pregnant, you or your partner may have had an infection, gained some weight, or started eating fewer healthy foods. Additionally, if it has been a few years since you last had a child, your egg quality may have begun decreasing or your partner's sperm may not be what it once was. Other common explanations for secondary infertility include: Endometriosis Pelvic adhesions, Uterine fibroids or polyps Ovulation problems
What is AMH?
Answer:Since AMH is produced only in small ovarian follicles, levels of this hormone have been used to attempt to measure the size of the pool of potential growing follicles in women. Simply AMH blood levels are thought to reflect the size of the remaining egg supply - or your "ovarian reserve".
With increasing female age, the number of remaining microscopic follicles decreases as does the AMH and the number of ovarian antral follicles visible on ultrasound.
Women with many small follicles, such as those with polycystic ovaries have high AMH hormone values and women that have few remaining follicles and those that are close to menopause have low anti-mullerian hormone levels. AMH levels do not vary with the menstrual cycle and can be measured independently of the day of the menstrual cycle.
What is a transvaginal 3D scan?
Answer:A standard 2D Scanning image only shows a single slice through the anatomy at a time, but with 3D ultrasound a volume of these 2D slices is taken which are then digitally manipulated and stored to produce spectacular 3 dimensional life like pictures of the womb. A vaginal probe is used for this procedure which standard for routine gynaecological procedures.
What is a Saline Infusion Sonogram (SIS)?
Answer:A saline infusion sonogram (saline sonography) is a special ultrasound test to check if the endometrial cavity (inside of the uterus) appears normal.
Why do I need this test?Benign (non-malignant) uterine growths, such as endometrial polyps or uterine fibroids, may develop in the cavity and create an environment that is hostile for implantation. Scar tissue may also be identified with the saline infusion sonogram. Routine ultrasound scan will identify large defects, but small ones can only be seen with a saline sonography.
How is it performed?The procedure is simple and usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. A special catheter (about the size of a single strand of spaghetti) is inserted and slides through the cervical canal. An ultrasound scan is then performed, as a sterile salt-water solution (saline) is injected through the catheter into the uterine cavity. This distends the endometrial cavity creating a good view of the entire endometrial cavity.
What are the possible risks / side effects?This is a safe, minimally invasive procedure. Prior to the test, we will confirm that you have no allergy (rare) to the fluid used, or to latex. You may experience period–like pain during and immediately after the procedure, therefore take 2 tablets of Paracetamol and / or ibuprofen prior to your appointment.
There is a small risk of infections within the cervix, being spread to the fallopian tubes during the test. Antibiotics will be prescribed to minimise this risk.
What is HyCoSy
Answer:Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy) is a non-invasive ultrasound procedure that takes approximately 15 minutes. It is usually carried out between day 5 and day 12 of the menstrual cycle. A thin catheter (tube) is passed through the cervix into the uterus (womb) and a tiny balloon is inflated to hold the catheter in place. A transvaginal ultrasound scan is performed and a contrast fluid is injected through the catheter. The fluid shows up as bright white and its path can be followed into the uterus and through the Fallopian tubes on each side. Once the patency of the tubes has been established, the ultrasound scan and the catheter are removed.
Is Hycosy uncomfortable?
Answer:It is advisable to take some form of analgesia (pain killers like ibuprofen, paracetamol) prior to the procedure, and in order to minimize the risk of pelvic infection a course of oral antibiotics is prescribed after the procedure for 5 consecutive days.
|