Comprehensive Infertility Evaluation
Call us to request an appointment
310.929.6707
Dave and Yvette L.
I wanted to say thank you to the entire staff for making us feel welcome to our first visit especially on a Saturday. We met with Dr. Sadaat and was very informative and took time with us with all of our questions. For the financial department, Melissa was very helpful with keeping in contact with us regarding any paperwork that we needed as well as with setting our appointment. We do look forward for treatment with Dr. Saadat.”
Read Patient TestimonialsComprehensive Infertily Evaluation
For your comprehensive infertility evaluation, Dr. Sadaat will determine which tests are necessary to identify any potential issues and what approach(es) are available to help you achieve your goal of a successful pregnancy.
Reasons for an Evaluation
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Women who have experienced multiple miscarriages can benefit from our comprehensive infertility evaluation to determine the underlying cause of this issue and help you find the best solution to improve your chances of a full-term pregnancy.
Difficulty Conceiving
Patients who are unable to conceive, whether because of specific medical issues, genetics, or unknown reasons, can choose to meet with Dr. Saadat for a comprehensive infertility evaluation.
Age-Related Infertility
Women over the age of 35 who wish to have children may find it difficult to conceive. Our comprehensive infertility evaluations can determine the appropriate solution to help patients create the family they have always wanted.
Testing for Female Patients
AMH Blood Test and Vaginal Ultrasound
During your initial consultation, Dr. Saadat will administer an anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) blood test and a vaginal ultrasound unless you have a specific issue or medical history that would indicate starting with different tests. The AMH test is used to assess your ovarian (egg) reserve, and the ultrasound is used to do a follicle count and check for any issues that are visible on the ultrasound.
Additional Hormone Evaluation
A serum progesterone test determines how much progesterone is in the blood, which is a hormone produced in the ovaries after ovulation. This test can help discover whether a woman is ovulating (whether an egg is being released from her ovaries) with each menstrual cycle.
If a woman is experiencing anovulation (when the ovaries do not release an egg), the following lab tests can help determine why:
- Testing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels can determine whether the patient is entering menopause or perimenopause
- Testing of the thyroid-stimulating hormone can determine if the thyroid is causing the patient not to ovulate
- Testing of prolactin can determine if a hormonal imbalance in the prolactin level is the reason for anovulation
Evaluation of Tubal Patency
Evaluation of tubal patency will determine whether a woman’s fallopian tubes are open or not. If necessary, Dr. Saadat will recommend that you undergo a hysterosalpingogram (an X-ray that uses dye) to examine the fallopian tubes at an outside imaging center. The HSG X-ray is a time-sensitive test done between the 7th and 10th day of a woman’s cycle.
Evaluation of the Uterus
A hydrosonogram (water ultrasound) is used to evaluate the uterus and determine if there are fibroids or polyps present in the uterine cavity. For some patients, a hysterosalpingogram (X-ray that uses dye) at an outside imaging center may be recommended instead of a hydrosonogram to evaluate the uterine cavity.
Testing for Male Patients
Semen Analysis
To determine potential causes of male infertility, a semen analysis is recommended to evaluate sperm count and quality.
During a semen analysis, the following four factors are evaluated:
- The volume of semen produced
- The sperm count (in general, a count of 20 million is considered normal)
- The motility of the sperm (in general, 50 percent of the sperm should be moving)
- The morphology, which is the shape or appearance of the sperm (40 to 50 percentof the sperm should have a healthy shape and appearance)
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT KIND OF TESTING WILL I NEED FOR RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS?
Patients with recurrent pregnancy loss may need an additional evaluation that includes genetic testing to check for any chromosomal irregularities, an examination of the uterus to evaluate any congenital abnormalities (such as uterine septum or bicornuate uterus), and testing to determine if there are antibodies present in the maternal serum that may affect pregnancy outcomes.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER TESTS THAT MIGHT BE USED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF MY INFERTILITY?
Chlamydia, ureaplasma, and other infectious agents can potentially interfere with conception, so testing for these infections and bacterium may be needed. Evaluation of infertility may also require testing for the presence of antisperm antibodies, which work against the sperm, and paternal leukocyte antigens in the female partner. Laparoscopy, a surgical procedure to look into the pelvic cavity, may be recommended to evaluate and treat any problem that exists with the fallopian tubes.
