Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has opened up the possibility for couples who may have been told their chances of having a child were slim or nonexistent. In In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has also emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against infertility and has given many people a chance to start a family they never thought was possible.
It is a ray of hope for many couples struggling to conceive naturally. IVF offers a unique opportunity to create a family despite the challenges of infertility, and for many, it can be the answer they have been searching for.
With the growing medical technologies, it also becomes easier to undergo various IVF tests to plan the best options forwards and any alternatives surgical or diagnostic tests that might be considered to improve the success rate of IVF.
What Exactly Is IVF?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to help couples struggling to conceive. The process begins with retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries, mixed with sperm in a laboratory setting.
The resulting embryos are then transferred back into the woman’s uterus, where they can develop and potentially result in a successful pregnancy. The process is complex and involves numerous steps, but ultimately it gives couples with infertility issues a chance to have a child.
IVF has been around since the 1970s, but it has really taken off in recent years due to advances in medical technology. Today, IVF is widely available and can be used to treat a variety of infertility issues.
But before you begin your IVF journey, your doctor may recommend undergoing a number of essential IVF tests to understand your reproductive health condition better.
Why Are IVF Tests Necessary?
Before undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility tests are performed to assess a person’s reproductive health and identify any potential fertility issues.
These tests can include blood tests to check hormone levels, ultrasounds to assess the condition of a person’s uterus and ovaries, and sperm tests to evaluate the quality of the sperm. By performing these tests, doctors better understand why a person might have difficulty conceiving and what treatments may be most effective.
For example, if a hormone imbalance is detected, medication may be prescribed to address the issue. Additionally, if there are structural issues with the uterus or ovaries, surgery or other treatments may be recommended.
Ultimately, these fertility tests can help ensure that IVF is the best course of action for a person’s particular situation and that the process is as successful as possible.
So, let’s understand the common fertility test that you may undergo before undergoing IVF.
IVF Tests Performed Before Undergoing IVF
1. Ovarian Reserve Testing
The test involves hormone blood tests to assess how many eggs a woman has in her ovarian reserve. The hormones tested are Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Estradiol, and Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH). A higher level of FSH in blood reports generally indicates a reduced ovarian reserve, which may lower the chances of conceiving.
2. Hysterosalpingography (HSG Test)
Also known as the Tubal Patency test or Hysterosalpingo Contrast Sonography allow doctors to evaluate the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
The procedure involves a specialized ultrasound examination where a contrast agent is inserted into the fallopian tube via the uterus to see whether the tubes are blocked or operational to carry on the IVF process. It also looks for uterine cavities such as polyps and fibroids. The HSG Test Price (hypersalpingography) in India can vary widely depending on the location and healthcare facility.
3. Semen Analysis
Semen evaluation helps determine the shape, motility, and concentration of the sperm. Sperm abnormalities are among the common reasons for the inability to conceive. So, undergoing semen analysis will help doctors to find those abnormalities and recommend undergoing advanced treatments like IVF with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), where sperm is manually retrieved for fertilization in a conventional IVF cycle.
4. Mock Embryo Transfer
For some particular IVF cases, your doctor might conduct a mock embryo transfer to understand the uterus and cervix better. Under the test, your body’s behavior and how well your uterus behaves during the procedure will be analyzed.
It also helps fertility doctors to choose the ideal route to use during the actual IVF procedure.
5. Prolactin and Thyroid Hormones
Protection and thyroid hormones are among the essential hormones for the normal production of breast milk and body metabolism.
The hormone test is used to identify the level of these hormones, as abnormal levels might cause difficulty in conceiving. The test also allows doctors to plan medications and drugs to correct abnormalities.
6. Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a type of diagnostic surgical procedure helpful for couples with unexplained infertility and for those who previously had failed the IVF cycles. Laparoscopy allows the surgeon to look inside your reproductive system and assess the causes of infertility in the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
In some cases, the surgeon might attempt to correct the abnormalities. The diagnostic procedure may help boost IVF outcomes.
7. Tests For Infectious Diseases
Certain diseases can affect the development of the fetus and IVF outcomes. Screening of infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B, HIV, chlamydia, Syphilis, Rubella, etc., before the IVF procedure, will lower the risk of serious complications.
8. Genetic Testing
In particular IVF cases, you might recommend genetic or DNA testing to rule out chromosomal abnormalities or identify inherited syndromes that may affect IVF results.
Despite these, your healthcare provider may recommend other reproductive health evaluations depending on your unique condition and needs.
This information can create a personalized treatment plan tailored to the couple’s needs. This will also help to boost IVF outcomes and plan suitable medications that are safe for both the baby and the parents-to-be.
Words From Crysta IVF
Fertility tests are an essential part of the IVF process. They can help identify potential issues that may make it difficult for a couple to get pregnant. These tests can reveal if any medical problems may affect fertility, such as endometriosis or blocked tubes, and can provide a better understanding of why a couple has been unable to conceive naturally.
Couples can also determine the best course of action for them and avoid wasting time and money on treatments that are unlikely to be successful.
These fertility tests can provide couples with peace of mind, knowing they have taken all the necessary steps to increase their chances of success with IVF.
