Infertility Evaluation
The delivery of quality healthcare is frequently dependent on diagnostic testing. The on-site laboratories at the Reproductive Medicine Center allow our staff to provide comprehensive testing to enable your clinician to determine the most cost-effective and successful therapy.
Fertility problems affect both men and women. In fact, about one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to male factors, and about one-third to factors that affect women. For the remaining one-third of infertile couples, infertility is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, in about 20 percent of cases, is unexplained.
Female Evaluation (Endocrine Testing Laboratory)
The Endocrine Testing Laboratory at the Reproductive Medicine Center serves a vital role in our ability to deliver the highest quality medical care.
Hormone tests are required to assist in diagnosing potential causes of infertility, for monitoring the hormonal response of female patients undergoing some infertility treatments and for making pregnancy determinations. For example, women receiving medications to stimulate the development of multiple follicles in the ovaries require blood hormone monitoring so that the dosage of medication can be adjusted (if necessary). When the timing is right, based in part on blood hormone levels, the appropriate therapy can be administered and the success of that therapy followed by measuring pregnancy hormone levels.
Conducted on-site by our expert staff, the female evaluation consists of the following:
- Transvaginal ultrasound including sonohysterograms
- Hysterosalpingograms. These are done in Radiology. All "dye" injections are done by Dr. Nagel, Dr. Damario or Dr. Mitwally or under their direct supervision.
- Diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are done as indicated. A new technique, transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy, is being instituted in selected cases. This and diagnostic hysteroscopy may be done as office procedures.
Male Evaluation (Diagnostic Andrology)
Andrology means for men what gynecology means for women and the Diagnostic Andrology Laboratory at the Reproductive Medicine Center is dedicated to male reproduction. Accredited by the College of American Pathologists since its inception, the procedures used by our lab comply with and exceed current World Health Organization (1999) standards.
The male evaluation conists of the following:
- Semen evaluation
- Urologic evaluation
- Testicular biopsy
Couple EvaluationThe couple evaluation consists of the following:
- History and physical examination
- Hormonal testing
