Testimonials
Trent and Amy's Story
“The positive warm feeling of the office radiates to your heart. Because of Dr. Haddad, we are able to fulfill our lifelong dream of becoming parents. We are ecstatic to report that we are expecting a beautiful baby girl in November.”
Infertility Testing
Houston Fertility Institute — Fertility Testing
There are many obstacles to fertility, including problems with ovulation, low sperm count, blocked or damaged tubes, and endometriosis. At Houston Fertility Institute in Texas, our physicians employ advanced fertility testing protocols to determine the cause of our patients' infertility and recommend the most appropriate treatment options.
When Is Fertility Testing Necessary?
Since infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, the fertility treatments that are most suitable for a couple can only be determined after the cause of their infertility is identified. Typically, we recommend that couples in which the female partner is in her twenties or early thirties try to conceive for a year before undergoing fertility testing. Women between the ages of 35 and 39 should be evaluated for infertility after six months to one year of unprotected intercourse.
Types of Fertility Tests
There are a number of types of fertility testing that can help our Houston-area fertility doctors to establish the source of a couple's infertility.
Semen Analysis
A semen analysis can determine the man's sperm count as well as the morphology (size and shape) and motility (movement) of his sperm. It can also screen for antisperm antibodies. Learn more about semen analysis.
Hysteroscopy/Tubal Catherization
Hysteroscopy is a procedure frequently utilized in the diagnostic evaluation of infertility. It is also commonly performed prior to more advanced fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization. Hysteroscopy is generally performed under anesthesia or conscious sedation. It involves placing a small camera through the cervix and directly examining the uterine cavity. Abnormalities, such as endometrial polyps, scar tissue, and small fibroids can identified and frequently treated in the same procedure. It is also possible to evaluate the status of the fallopian tubes with hysteroscopy by utilizing a tubal catheterization procedure. Your physician will discuss if this procedure is an option for you.
Hormone Evaluation
There are several hormones that must work together in the female body for pregnancy to occur and progress properly. Levels of reproductive hormones FSH, LH, and estradiol are measured on day three of the woman's menstrual cycle to determine her ovarian reserve (remaining egg supply). Hormone fertility testing can also detect the presence of excess androgens — male hormones produced by a woman's ovaries and adrenal glands. Elevated androgen levels may indicate polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Hysterosalpingogram
An important part of a basic infertility evaluation, a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a radiology procedure that is used to detect irregularities inside of the woman's uterus and fallopian tubes.
Post-coital Test
Performed two to eight hours after sex, the post-coital test measures the ability of the sperm to perform within the woman's cervical mucus. The post-coital test is scheduled during ovulation, when the cervical mucus is thinnest and most flexible and it is easier for the sperm to make their way through. Post-coital fertility testing may be performed at any of our Texas offices.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
A transvaginal ultrasound test uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. This image allows the physician to detect any irregularities. It can also help us monitor the growth of the ovarian follicles.
Laparoscopy
During the laparoscopy fertility testing procedure, a small instrument called a laparoscope is inserted through a minute incision in the woman's navel. The instrument's tiny camera allows the fertility specialist to look for abnormalities of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes such as fibroid tumors, scar tissue, and endometriosis.
Contact our Center in Texas for Fertility Testing
Our infertility clinic is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment to ensure the most accurate results with a range of fertility tests. Contact Houston Fertility Institute in Texas to learn how fertility testing and personalized fertility treatments may help you and your partner conceive.
