Diagnostic tests for fertility

At Shady Grove Fertility, while each patient is on their own unique fertility journey, they all have to make a stop to do diagnostic tests for fertility. Isaac E. Sasson, MD, PhD, of Shady Grove Fertility in Chesterbrook, PA, shares what goes into this testing.

• Day Three Blood Work
  This blood work focuses at the level of your Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Estrogen (E2), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH). These tests are the window to your egg quantity and will help to guide your diagnosis and treatment options.
  
• Ultrasound
  An ultrasound of the ovaries is preformed between days 2-4 of your cycle. This test is used to define the Antral Follicle Count or the number of eggs available for pregnancy this month.
  
• HSG
  Hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray test that can be performed in SGF’s surgery centers. This test gives your physician a picture of your uterus and fallopian tubes. Blockages to the tubes, uterine fibroids, polyps, and adhesions are identified during this test.
  
• Semen Analysis
  This simple test looks at four unique factors in your partner’s sperm. The first is the volume of ejaculate, then concentration or number of sperm within the sample, motility which is the ability for sperm to move in a forward progression, and morphology which looks at the shape of the sperm. Any aspect of your partner’s sperm that is found to be outside the suggested parameters can point to a male factor infertility diagnosis.

The work-up preformed by SGF can take as little as 2-3 weeks to complete following the start of your next cycle. The pace of testing is largely set based on the patient’s comfort level. All of the testing at Shady Grove Fertility is preformed on site at your local office with the exception of the HSG which is completed at one of our regional ambulatory surgical centers.