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Get clarity on your fertility journey with thorough in vitro fertilization diagnosis and tests. learn about the simple and advanced testing needed before starting IVF.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Before starting an IVF journey, it is essential to perform a thorough diagnostic evaluation of both partners. This screening process helps the doctor determine the exact reasons for the difficulty in getting pregnant. The diagnostic steps are comprehensive, moving from general checks to highly specific imaging.
Understanding the precise cause ensures that your IVF treatment is customized, significantly improving your chances of a successful pregnancy. This diagnostic phase is the crucial first step toward building your family and minimizing complications during the treatment cycle.
Initial screening for both male and female partners is conducted before any specialized IVF treatment begins. For women, these blood tests primarily check key reproductive hormones. Hormone levels like Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Estradiol help assess the function of the ovaries and the timing of the menstrual cycle. These readings are important in planning the initial stages of hormone stimulation for egg retrieval.
These routine screenings also include a vital test for Ovarian Reserve. The Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test estimates the remaining egg supply in the ovaries. A good AMH level is often an encouraging sign for a successful response to ovarian stimulation medication during IVF.
For men, the semen analysis is crucial. This laboratory test evaluates the number of sperm, how well they move (motility), and their shape (morphology). These routine checks guide the next steps and inform the final choice of fertilization method.
If the initial screenings reveal abnormalities or suggest structural issues, the specialist may recommend more detailed advanced imaging. These procedures are vital for ruling out conditions that directly interfere with IVF success, such as large uterine fibroids, severe endometriosis, or congenital uterine abnormalities.
For example, conditions that distort the uterine lining, where the embryo needs to implant, must be corrected before a successful transfer can occur. The results from these advanced methods finalize the treatment strategy and are a key part of the overall IVF testing procedure at Liv Hospital.
The Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a common and important imaging technique used to check the health and patency (openness) of the uterus and fallopian tubes. This test is vital because even if a patient is undergoing IVF, clear tubes are often needed for natural conception attempts during breaks, and the test provides critical information about the uterine structure. The procedure usually takes only about 15 to 30 minutes to complete from start to finish.
During the HSG test procedure, the patient lies on an exam table under an X-ray machine. A thin, flexible catheter is gently inserted through the cervix into the uterus. A special, iodine-based contrast dye is then slowly introduced through the catheter.
The dye fills the uterus and, if the tubes are open, it flows out through the ends of the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity. X-ray images, called fluoroscopy, are taken continuously as the dye moves. If a blockage is present, the dye will stop at that point, indicating a problem.
Preparation for most fertility tests is minimal, but careful timing and precautions are vital for accuracy and comfort. Hormone blood work is usually scheduled on specific days of the menstrual cycle (often Day 3) to capture hormone fluctuations accurately. The HSG must be scheduled shortly after your period ends but before ovulation (typically days 6 through 12). This is done to ensure the patient is not pregnant and to minimize the risk of infection.
You might be advised to take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, like ibuprofen, an hour before the HSG for greater comfort. Men need to follow specific guidelines for abstinence (typically 2–5 days) before providing a semen sample to ensure the highest possible concentration for accurate analysis. Always follow your clinic’s preparation instructions exactly.
Your IVF specialist will review all the collected data from the blood work, imaging, and lab analysis together. This holistic view helps the doctor assess your overall fertility status and pinpoint the specific, underlying causes of infertility, such as unexplained factors, male factor issues, or tubal blockages.
Low AMH combined with a blocked tube, for example, leads to a specific treatment plan that differs from male factor infertility alone. You will receive a detailed explanation of what the results mean for your personalized treatment plan, ensuring the best possible path forward for beginning IVF.
Most laboratory results, such as blood work and semen analysis, are processed and available within a few days of collection. Imaging results, particularly from the HSG, are often reviewed by the radiologist and communicated to your IVF specialist immediately. Once all diagnostics are fully complete, your specialist will schedule a follow-up consultation. This important meeting is dedicated to discussing all the results, answering your specific questions, and detailing the precise steps and timeline for beginning your highly tailored IVF treatment cycle, including medication protocols.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Diagnosis involves initial screening like hormone blood tests, ovarian reserve checks (AMH), and semen analysis, followed by advanced imaging such as HSG, and sometimes specialized procedures like Hysteroscopy.
Preparation usually involves taking an over-the-counter pain reliever before the test, and the procedure must be scheduled during the pre-ovulation phase (days 6-12) of your menstrual cycle to ensure safety.
Many women feel cramping similar to moderate menstrual pain during the HSG procedure, particularly when the dye is introduced. This discomfort is typically brief and is usually managed well with simple pain medication taken beforehand.
Fertility tests are highly accurate when interpreted collectively by an expert team. They provide crucial data points that, when combined, allow the doctor to personalize and optimize the IVF treatment plan, significantly influencing the chances of success.
Advanced imaging like HSG or Hysteroscopy is needed when initial screening suggests a blockage, an abnormality in the uterus (like a polyp or fibroid), or other anatomical factors affecting conception or implantation.
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