Infertility testing

Infertility testing for a woman

During the first appointment doctor-reproductologist gathers anamnesis of history of the illness, and after a detailed discussion orders a series of analyses and tests to determine the reasons of infertility.
Following tests could be ordered:
– assessment of the hormone levels,
– determination of sexually transmitted infections,
– testing of passability of fallopian tubes,
– sometimes additional evaluation of the uterine cavity (hysteroscopy) and abdominal cavity (laparoscopy) are necessary.

Infertility testing for a man

Recommendations for Sperm collection

General information

The sample should be collected after a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 7 days of sexual abstinence. If additional samples are required, the number of days of sexual abstinence should be as constant as possible at each visit. Semen sample is produced by masturbation. It is forbidden to use any kind of accessories or lubricants unless they are approved by doctor. Preparing for semen analysis you should live a healthy lifestyle. Main factors that have negative impact on semen quality are: smoking, alcohol, narcotics/drugs, not baths and sauna, various medications, steroids. Semen must be collected into container that is provided by Clinic because it is non-toxic for sperm and is intended for semen sample. Under any circumstances do not use for semen collection glass or any other container with unknown toxicity. During production of semen sample it is strongly forbidden to use usual lubricants because they are toxic to sperm. However if the use of lubricants is required one must make sure that the lubricant is NON-toxic to the sperm. It is very important that you fill out this protocol carefully and write down precise information regarding any prevoius fevers, surgical manipulations with narcosis, medications used and any other serious illness in last three months or earlier, if you have suspicion that it may influence semen quality (e.g. Hepatitis). It is very important to collect whole ejaculate because the first part of ejaculate contains most of the sperm. You must make a note in the protocol if the semen sample is incomplete and any fraction of sample is lost. If any fraction of ejaculate is lost it will substantially influence the resul of semen analysis and the information obtained will be incompleted, if not misleading.

Collection of Semen sample outside the clinic

Collecting semen sample in location outside the clinic you should exactly follow instructions and use only container provided by Clinic otherwise semen quality during transportation might decrease dramatically. Semen sample in location outside the Clinic must be provided by masturbation. Under any circumstances (except cases when doctor has permitted) semen sample must not be produced through Coitus interruptus or oral stimulation, because saliva and vaginal fluids have low pH and contain substances that reduce sperm vitality and quality. Producing semen sample it is forbidden to use usual candoms because they contain substances that kill spermatozoa. Immediately after ejacuation you should record time of semen production on the container and deliver teh sample to the Clinic within 1 hour of collection. During transportation, if possible, store semen sample at 37 ⁰C, if it is not possible, keep the sample close to the body in order to prevent the sample from rapid cooling that could result in Cold Shock, that considerably reduces sperm quality.

Noncompliance with these recommendations will have negative impact on semen quality and the results of analysis!