What tests should I have or did you have for infertility?
Hubby and I have been ttc for 31 months. We are seeing an RE and in March 2008 we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. I present with no uterine, ovarian, tubal or hormonal issues and hubby has passed 2 semen analysis with flying colors. We are on a break right now (other than doing acupuncture) as we were told IVF would be our doctors next recommendation since we have had 3 failed Clomid cycles and 3 failed Gonal F cycles (good response to the Gonal F though). We pay out of pocket and he feels since these cycles have failed IVF would be the most logical and give us the best chance for our money so to speak.
My question is should I ask for any additional testing since we are unexplained infertility or is that just all that can be determined? What tests were you givin in general to detect issues with fertility?
Thanks for any help or information.
Best wishes to those ttc!
About 10% of couples with fertility issues are diagnosed as unexplained. My doctor says this means that ideally the basics are there and working for conception to happen but it just isn’t.
I have only had one chemical pregnancy after a Clomid cycle. That is a very common thing to have happen after Clomid use. So I am not having repeated miscarriages or anything like that. Just not getting pregnant!
Thanks for the answers!
Interesting suggestion but can you actually be allergic to sperm? What tests are available to check for sperm to egg compatability? My doctor has never mentioned this. Does anyone know more about it?
I have had the HSG and everything was good. I have had several bloodtests. I can’t remember all of them but the ones I remember were FSH, LH, Estroidel, Progesterone, TSH. I have had ultrasounds and pap smear as well. I have passed all of these and no issues were detected.
That is why I was curious if other tests may be beneficial or if I had the standard ones covered.
Thanks for all of the great answers!
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Filed under: Acupuncture Infertility
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Sounds like you might need a second opinion. Is there another doctor in your area?
Ooh, man I’m sorry.
I hope you get a baby…
I’m actually worried that I’ll be infertile. Did the docters tell you some things to do to “become” more fertile? (other than what your body is already supposed to be doing?)
I have no advice…
I wish you the best of luck!!
what about tests to see if you are allergic to his sperm? or some problem with compatibility?
ps good luck to you!!
I may be wrong but I think the sperm allergy you are referring to may be sperm antibodies? This can happen if you use a condom for a long time and then suddenly start ttc- the woman’s cm can develop antibodies to sperm, killing it. However, I think this problem is overcome through IUI. You could do a post-coital test to see if your husband’s sperm moves through your cm ok but my RE does not perform this test because he does not “believe in its reliability.” Plus, they can charge more for IUI.
Again, I would definitely do the E-tegrity test. It costs $475 but would be well worth it if they found out you were missing the protein for implantation, as this would cause your IVF cycle to fail. This is their website. http://www.etegritytest.com/ They can combine this test, which is an endometrial biopsy, with a hysteroscopy to get a better picture of the inside of your uterus. The endometrial biopsy will also give them a better picture of your endometrium and its receptiveness to implantation- if you have it done at 8dpo, they will want to make sure that your endometrium is developed enough for 8 dpo (I am not really explaining myself very well.)
Also, there is a panel of anti-phospholipid antibodies that they can look for, which cause clotting at the point of implantation, cutting off oxygen to the newly implanted embryo. The treatment for this condition in pregnancy is baby aspirin and/ or heparin, an anti-coagulant.
http://sharedjourney.com/define/apa.html
These are tests that I am trying to get my RE to do. I think it’s important to do them before starting IVF treatment so that you don’t waste your money finding this stuff out later.
Please let me know what your doctor says to your request for these tests, if you do ask for them. I am meeting with my doctor next week, so not sure what he will say.
Best of luck!
I think you shoudl have a 2nd opinion too. It wouldnt hurt. You wont have to go through the same tests, they will just look at your charts. Yes, you can be “allergic” to sperm…but like the other comment said before its called devolping a “antibodies” and I do think there are tests out there. I know they can do testing where they take your egg and his sperm and fertilize it in a dish to see how it devolps. I really think IVF will be your best best. Its expensive but well worth it! Good luck!
we did not have conceiving issues, we had trouble keeping the pregnancy so never had to do alot of the tests you took. But i will say we saw a specialist amd he did find out what was wrong by doing alot of tests. i don’t believe in unexplained fertlity. Our specialist thinks everyone can figure out why they are not conceiving. I personally wouls seek a new specialist, or get a second opinion.
Hi sweetie. I’m sorry you’re going through this. You know that I’m somewhat new to all of this but I’ll try to let you know what we’ve done.
My RE did a lot of blood tests and pelvic scans……he did that HCG test then more pelvic scans since they found “something” and thought that it would be a cyst or a polyp. Then he ordered more blood tests to confirm that I have PCOS. and I do! Other than that, no other tests have been ordered as of yet.
Our first IUI was cancelled due to my follies stoped growing, then the one following was not a succes, we’re trying again. We just had our IUI last saturday and we’re on our 2ww. I’m not sure what we’ll do if this one fails. The two last ones were with injectables and I’m not sure how many more my RE will let us do. My DH and I talked about this before we started treatment, and we’re both ok with adoption. We just want to exaust all other options first then move on if necessary.
Just know that I’m praying for you and I hope that it will all work out for you.
Baby Dust your Way!
Before you start treatment I highly advise you have a hysterosalpingogram or saline sonogram to check for fibroids, polyps, or any uterine problems. You don’t want to go through all that you do for IVF to later have implantation failure because of a problem that is easily fixable.
Have you had your tubes checked for hydrosalpinx? Hydros are fluid filled tubes that are toxic. These toxins can leak into your uterus and can be harmful to a growing embryo. The only cure for hydros is removing the tube(s).
Many RE’s don’t see immune testing as necessary but do your research and see if it is something you want to have done before you continue. You can also ask for a recurrent pregnancy loss blood panel (RPL). Though you have only had a chemical pregnancy it can provide some answers and prevent any future complications. Most of these problems can be cured something as simple as low-dose aspirin. These are the most common test:
MTHFR androgen levels: blood tests to measure male hormone levels.
TSH and prolactin levels: blood tests for hormone levels that indicate whether your thyroid and pituitary glands are functioning properly.
Leukocyte antibody detection and embryotoxic factor: blood tests to determine whether your immune system is attacking the pregnancy.
Antiphosphotidylserine, PAI-1 levels, MTHFR, prothrombin II mutation, and Factor V leiden: blood clotting tests that may indicate an increased risk of forming blood clots in the small blood vessels of the placenta, which may interfere with continuation of the pregnancy.
Fasting insulin levels: a blood test to determine whether you have insulin resistance, which may increase the risk of miscarriage.
Endometrial biopsy: a minor surgical procedure to sample the uterine lining (endometrium) approximately 12 days after the urine LH surge indicates impending ovulation; this may show whether the uterine lining has appropriately developed to support a pregnancy.
http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/miscarriage/rpl.html has a comprehensive list of testing to do. Also, Dr. Beer was the pioneer for doing immune testing for women who are TTC via IVF and naturally. Check out his book “Is Your Body Baby Friendly” and his website http://www.repro-med.net/
I know this may seem overwhelming but it is really just a few blood tests and two exams. If you choose not to do the immune testing or RPL blood panel, I HIGHLY advise you to at least do the hysterosalpingogram or saline sonogram and check for hydros.
I wish you luck! Keep us posted on your progress!