At the initial consultation, the doctor will discuss fully the nature of your fertility problems, the treatment options available, and whether a further assessment is needed prior to starting treatment.
Many couples referred to our Unit have undergone extensive infertility tests elsewhere. We will only repeat these tests if we think it is absolutely necessary to do so.
If no previous assessment of tubal patency and the uterine cavity has been performed we may recommend that a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are performed as a Gold Standard for assessing the pelvis (see endoscopic surgery). This will give us more detailed information about the ovaries and uterus than can be obtained with a pelvic ultrasound scan. It may also enable treatment of conditions such as endometriosis or scar tissue (adhesions) or uterine polyps and fibroids. An alternative procedure to assess tubal patency is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) in which dye is passed through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes under X-ray control. This procedure may also show abnormalities in the uterus. Another test which can be recommended is a contrast scan. This may be carried out prior to commencing a treatment cycle and will identify any uterine abnormalities. If you have had any of these procedures performed recently, it may not be necessary to repeat them.
