Fertility Testing before IVF
IVF is one of the most effective fertility treatments available today. But it is a serious treatment process that requires coordination, discipline, and follow-up from multiple people, including the patient, doctor, and IVF care team, throughout all stages of IVF treatment.
At Los Angeles Reproductive Center, Drs. Marc Kalan and Nurit Winkler help patients prepare for IVF so they are ready to start the treatment process and know what to expect throughout treatment. Read this blog post to learn more about fertility testing before IVF, and then contact our Los Angeles, CA practice to schedule a consultation with us.
Female Fertility Testing
To determine if the female patient is a good candidate for IVF, she will typically undergo the following fertility tests.
Day Three Blood Test
Typically, the first female fertility test is the day three blood test. This blood test is taken on day three of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your period is day one). This test measures three hormones:
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): High levels of FSH is an indicator that the patient’s egg reserve or quality is poor. The level of this hormone can also help doctors diagnose or assess the severity of polycystic ovary disease, ovarian cysts, irregular vaginal bleeding, and infertility.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH): LH levels should increase 24 to 36 hours before ovulation. If LH levels are high on day 3, disorders such as polycystic ovary disease or ovarian failure may be present.
- Estradiol: High levels of estradiol could be an indicator of poor egg quality.
Day 21 Blood Test
The day 21 blood test checks the level of progesterone to see if ovulation occurred. If the patient’s progesterone levels are low, it is possible that no egg was released.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
The hysterosalpingogram is a test that can be performed in a radiology lab. It involves the injection of a special dye into the vagina and cervix to reach the uterine cavity. X-ray images are then taken. This allows fertility doctors to determine if there are any uterine abnormalities or blockages of the fallopian tubes.
Vaginal Ultrasound
This test involves the insertion of the vaginal ultrasound probe. A vaginal ultrasound may also be performed to check for the presence of cysts, fibroids, and other abnormalities.
Mock Transfer
Prior to undergoing IVF, we will perform a mock transfer to ensure that we can successfully transfer embryos to your uterus. This involves the insertion of the catheter that is used for the embryo transfer.
Male Fertility Testing
In most cases, male patients only need to undergo a semen analysis before IVF. After the semen sample has been collected, we will test the sperm count, motility, shape, and other information to determine if there are any male infertility issues present.
For many of our IVF patients, these are the only fertility tests that are performed. However, some patients may require additional testing.
To undergo fertility testing and find out if you are a good candidate for IVF, contact Los Angeles Reproductive Center today.