To determine the cause(s) of your infertility

During your first fertility consult, the specialist recommended that you undergo a thorough examination to determine the causes of your infertility. The general work-up requires that you and your spouse undergo certain tests, which will enable the physician to diagnose your condition and to offer therapeutic solutions that best suit your situation.

Tests and Exams Most likely To Be Performed

Tests & Exams		Definitions		For whom?
Physical exam		The woman meets with the gynecologist who performs a routine physical exam or a routine pelvic ultrasound. The man meets with the urologist who will gauge the size of his testicles and examine the scrotum and the rectum to assess the prostate and seminal vesicles.		For her and For him
Blood work-up		Blood samples are taken from each spouse to analyze blood type and to look for anomalous antibodies, syphilis, Hepatitis B and C and the HIV (AIDS) viruses and immunization against rubella among others.		For her and For him
Vaginal culture and cervicovaginal smear work-up		A member of the medical team collects a sample of secretions taken from the patient's cervix for chlamydia and cervical screening.		For her
Temperature curve analysis		The patient takes her temperature orally, every morning and records the results on a specially designed graph given to her by the nurse. The curve obtained is used to determine if there is normal ovulation over one or several menstrual cycles.		For her
Spermogram		Analysis of the spouse's freshly ejaculated sperm done under the microscope or assisted by computer (CASA), to examine sperm motility, morphology and viability.		For him
Hysterosalpingography		Radiological examination during which a radio-opaque substance is injected through the cervix to study the permeability of the Fallopian tubes and the shape of the uterine cavity.		For her
Laparoscopy		It consists of two small incisions on the abdomen. One is generally made in the navel and the other above the pubis. A laparoscope is introduced into one of the incisions and is used to look at the condition of the woman's reproductive organs (uterus, Fallopian tubes, etc.) as well as to detect possible endometrial lesions.		For her
Endocrine testing		Blood samples are taken to measure the different hormone levels prior to IVF. Endocrine testing can also be used in cases of anovulation or when anomalies have been detected through the spermogram.		For her and For him