Infertility Flashcards
What is infertility?
It is defined as inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of regular intercourse without use of contraception.
How common is infertility?
1 in 7 couples report infertility problems
What is the chance of conception?
Over 80% of couples in the general population will conceive within 1year if
- Women <40 years old
- Do not use contraception
- Having regular sexual intercourse
Of those who do not conceive in the first year, about half will do so in the second year (cumulative pregnancy rate over90%).
When should you investigate for infertility?
If haven’t conceived within 1 year despite actively trying
What are the 4 questions surrounding the cause of fertility problems?
- Are eggs available?
- Are sperm available?
- Can they meet?
- Can embryo implant ?
What should you ask about when taking a female’s history?
- Duration of infertility
- Previous contraception
- Fertility in previous relationships
- Previous pregnancies and complications
- Menstrual history
- Medical and surgical history
- Sexual history
- Previous investigations
- Psychological assessment
What examination should a female undergo?
- Weight
- Height
- BMI (kg/m2)
- Fat and hair distribution
- Galactorrhoea
- Abdominal examination
- Pelvic examination
What is hirsutism caused by?
Andorgen excess
What scoring system is used for androgen excess?
Ferriman Gallwey score
What biochemical measurents are carried out in androgen excess?
- Testosterone (T)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) if is greater than 700 mcg/dL (18.9 micromol/L) adrenal computed tomography (CT) is recommended to look for an androgen-secreting adrenal tumor
- 17-OH Progesterone
Name a skin sign of androgen excess.
Acanthosis nigricans
What is looked for on pelvic examination of a female?
- Masses
- Pelvic distortion
- Tenderness
- Vaginal septum
- Cervical abnormalities
How can fibroids present?
- Pressure symptoms
- Period problems
- Infertility
What baseline investigations are done for the female?
- Rubella immunity,
- Chlamydia
- TSH
- If periods are regular: Mid luteal progesterone ( 7 days prior to expected period);
- If periods are irregular please do day 1-5 FSH, LH, PRL, TSH, testosterone
What baseline investigation is carried out on the male?
Semen analysis
What investigations are carried out at the fertility clinic?
- Pelvic Ultrasound
- Physical examination
- Testing for ovulation
- Semen analysis repeat if required
- Tubal patency test
What should women who are concerned about their fertility be asked about?
Frequency and regularity of menstrual cycles
If a women is having regular menstrual cycles, what is unlikely to be the cause of infertility?
Ovulation
How is ovulation confirmed?
A blood test to measure serum progesterone in the mid-luteal phase of their cycle (day21 of a 28‑day cycle) to confirm ovulation even if they have regular menstrual cycles
What should women who have prolonged irregular menstrual cycles be offered?
- A blood test to measure serum progesterone.
- Depending upon the timing of menstrual periods, this test may need to be conducted later in the cycle (for example day28 of a 35‑day cycle) and repeated weekly thereafter until the next menstrual cycle starts
What should women with irregular menstrual cycles be offered?
A blood test to measure serum gonadotrophins (FSH and LH )
How are tubal and uterine abnormalities screened for?
- Hysterosalpingography
- HyCoSy
Who should be offered hysterosalpinography?
Women who are not known to have comorbidities (such as pelvic inflammatory disease, previous ectopic pregnancy or endometriosis)
Why is a hysterosalpingogram carried out?
To screen for tubal occlusion because this is a reliable test for ruling out tubal occlusion, and it is less invasive and makes more efficient use of resources than laparoscopy.
What is important to ask about in the male history?
Developmental (Testicular descent, change in shaving frequency, loss of body hair )
Infections (mumps , STIs)
Surgical (varicocele repair, vasectomy)
Previous fertility
Environmental (alcohol, smoking, anabolic steroids, chemotherapy, radiation, drug use)
Sexual history (libido, frequency of intercourse, previous fertility assessment)
Any chronic illness
What is carried out for examination of the male?
- Weight
- Height
- BMI (kg/m2)
- Fat and hair distribution (hypoandrogenism)
- Abdominal and inguinal examination
- Genital examination (epididymis, testes, vas deferens, varicocele)