Fertility and Infertility: Assessments & Scans at Life Medical Imaging
Fertility is your ability to produce a child. Infertility is when you have had 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse and you have not become pregnant.
Fertility can be affected by many things and there are also ways to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Not being able to conceive can be distressing but talking with your doctor, counsellor or psychologist can help you to understand your options and decide what to do next.
Not falling pregnant is one of the common reasons to request a gynaecology ultrasound at Life Women’s Imaging.
The information obtained from an abdominal and/or vaginal scan, will help your doctor check for any abnormalities and infertility causes.
Ultrasonography can provide valuable information about conditions such as abnormal development of the uterus, fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome or blocked tubes, but this requires an experienced ultrasound practitioner and O&G specialist for accurate interpretation.
If you are not falling pregnant, and are experiencing a delay in falling pregnant, your doctor or specialist may request a gynaecological scan to check your anatomy, chances of any abnormal hormone patterns, or disease.
You will be asked to have a moderate bladder (drink one to two glasses of any liquid about 3/4 hour before your scan).
If you are menstruating regularly, it is best to book your scan between days 5 and 11 of your cycle. It’s good to keep track of your cycle and to let us know the first day of your last menstrual period, as accurately as you can.
When you arrive, we will want to know more information about how long your periods last and how often they come, as well as any hormones you take or operations you may have had.
An abdominal ultrasound gives a good overview and is clearer when performed with a full bladder. A vaginal ultrasound (after bladder emptying) provides more detail. It uses a slender probe, which is inserted in a procedure far gentler than a Pap smear. For women having trouble falling pregnant, a vaginal ultrasound is almost always recommended.
For your gynaecological ultrasounds, you’ll be supported by a team of highly qualified doctors and health practitioners, sonographers and supporting receptionists. It’s our mission to provide best practice in a caring and supportive environment and we look forward to helping you with your next ultrasound.
A feritlity ultrasound, often called ‘fertility scan’ is targeted to address specific issues concerning your fertility potential. The information obtained from an abdominal and/or vaginal scan, will help your doctor check for any abnormalities and infertility causes.
An ultrasound, performed by an experienced ultrasound practitioner, can provide valuable information to check for any abnormalities and infertility causes, such as abnormal development of the uterus, fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome or blocked tubes.
Transvaginal ultrasound can be used to detect ovulation. Other procedures include: LH levels measurement with urine test kits , endometrial biopsy, hormone levels measurement with blood tests, and the basal body temperature (BBT) chart.
If you are a woman there are several tests you may be asked to take to assess your fertility level. You may get a blood test to check your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, which triggers your ovaries to prepare for an egg for release each month. If you are a man, a semen analysis will check for problems with sperm, such as a low sperm count.
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Understanding Infertility
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. It can affect both men and women, and understanding its causes is crucial for effective treatment. Various factors, including age, hormonal imbalances, and medical conditions, can contribute to infertility.
In women, conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine abnormalities can hinder conception. For men, issues like low sperm count or motility can impact fertility. A thorough evaluation by healthcare professionals, including ultrasounds and hormone tests, can help identify the underlying causes and guide treatment options.
Preparing for Your Fertility Scan
Proper preparation for a fertility scan is essential to ensure accurate results. Patients are typically advised to arrive with a full bladder for abdominal ultrasounds, as this enhances visibility of the reproductive organs. Additionally, discussing any medications or hormonal treatments with your healthcare provider beforehand can provide valuable context for the scan.
It is also beneficial to keep a record of your menstrual cycle and any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as irregular periods or pelvic pain. This information will assist the medical team in interpreting the results and determining the next steps in your fertility assessment.
Common Fertility Tests and Procedures
Several tests and procedures are commonly used to assess fertility, including blood tests, ultrasound examinations, and semen analysis. Blood tests can measure hormone levels, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which play critical roles in reproduction.
Ultrasounds are pivotal in visualizing the ovaries and uterus, identifying issues like cysts or fibroids. Semen analysis evaluates sperm health, including count, motility, and morphology. Together, these assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of fertility health and guide appropriate treatment pathways.
Available Fertility Treatments
Once fertility issues are diagnosed, various treatment options are available, ranging from lifestyle changes to assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Common treatments include ovulation induction medications, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
For some couples, lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, and quitting smoking, can significantly improve fertility. In more complex cases, ART methods may be necessary, offering advanced solutions for achieving pregnancy when traditional methods have not succeeded.
life medical imaging umina, life imaging bateau bay, fertility assessment ultrasound sydney, ivf central coast
Understanding Infertility
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. It can affect both men and women, and understanding its causes is crucial for effective treatment. Various factors, including age, hormonal imbalances, and medical conditions, can contribute to infertility.
In women, conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine abnormalities can hinder conception. For men, issues like low sperm count or motility can impact fertility. A thorough evaluation by healthcare professionals, including ultrasounds and hormone tests, can help identify the underlying causes and guide treatment options.
Preparing for Your Fertility Scan
Proper preparation for a fertility scan is essential to ensure accurate results. Patients are typically advised to arrive with a full bladder for abdominal ultrasounds, as this enhances visibility of the reproductive organs. Additionally, discussing any medications or hormonal treatments with your healthcare provider beforehand can provide valuable context for the scan.
It is also beneficial to keep a record of your menstrual cycle and any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as irregular periods or pelvic pain. This information will assist the medical team in interpreting the results and determining the next steps in your fertility assessment.
Common Fertility Tests and Procedures
Several tests and procedures are commonly used to assess fertility, including blood tests, ultrasound examinations, and semen analysis. Blood tests can measure hormone levels, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which play critical roles in reproduction.
Ultrasounds are pivotal in visualizing the ovaries and uterus, identifying issues like cysts or fibroids. Semen analysis evaluates sperm health, including count, motility, and morphology. Together, these assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of fertility health and guide appropriate treatment pathways.
Available Fertility Treatments
Once fertility issues are diagnosed, various treatment options are available, ranging from lifestyle changes to assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Common treatments include ovulation induction medications, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
For some couples, lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, and quitting smoking, can significantly improve fertility. In more complex cases, ART methods may be necessary, offering advanced solutions for achieving pregnancy when traditional methods have not succeeded.
