O&G: Fertility Flashcards
Infertility
when should inx and referral for infertility be initiated
after the couple has been trying to conceive without success for 12 months
6 months if the woman is older than 35
Infertility
causes
- sperm problems (30%)
- ovulation problems (25%)
- unexplained (20%)
- tubal problems (15%)
- uterine problems (10%)
Infertility
general lifestyle advice
- woman: take 400mcg folic acid daily
- healthy BMI
- avoid smoking + alcohol
- reduce stress
- intercourse every2-3d
- avoid timing intercourse
Infertility
why is timed intercourse to coincide with ovulation not necessary
it can lead to increased stress and pressure in relationship
Infertility
initial inx, in primary care
- BMI
- chlamydia screening
- semen analysis
- female hormonal testing
- rubella immunity in the mother
Infertility
what could a low BMI indicate
anovulation
Infertility
what could a high BMI indicate
PCOS
Infertility
what female hormone testing is involved
- serum LH + FSH on day 2-5 of the cycle
- serum progesterone day 21
- anti-mullerian hormone
- TFTs
- prolactin if sx of galactorrhea or amenorrhoea
Infertility
what does high FSH suggest
poor ovarian reserve (number of follicles that the woman has left in her ovaries)
pituitary gland is producing extra FSH in an attempt to stimulate follicular development
Infertility
what does high LH suggest
PCOS
Infertility
what does a rise in progesterone on day 21 indicate
ovulation has occurred , and the corpus luteum has formed and started secreting progesterone
Infertility
what is the most accurate marker of ovarian reserve
anti-mullerian hormone
It is released by the granulosa cells in the follicles and falls as the eggs are depleted
Infertility
what does a high level of anti-mullerian hormone indicate
a good ovarian reserve
Infertility
what further inx are performed in secondary care
- pelvis US: PCO or abnormalities in uterus
- hysterosalpingogram: patency of fallopian tubes
- laparoscopy + dye test: patency of fallopian tubes, adhesions + endometriosis
Infertility
mnx options when anovulation is the cause
- weight loss
- clomifene
- letrozole (aromatase inhibitor with anti-oestrogen effects)
- gonadotropins
- ovarian drilling in PCOS
- metformin
Infertility
what is used when women are resistant to clomifene
gonadotropins
Infertility
how does clomifene work
anti-oestrogen (a selective oestrogen receptor modulator)
given on day 2-6. Stops the -ve feedback of oestrogen on the hypothalamus
more GnRH and thus FSH + LH
Infertility
mnx for women with alterations to the fallopian tubes
- Tubal cannulation during a hysterosalpingogram
- Laparoscopy to remove adhesions or endometriosis
- IVF
Infertility
mnx of uterine factors
Surgery may be used to correct polyps, adhesions or structural abnormalities affecting fertility
Infertility
mnx for when there is a blockage somewhere along the vas deferens preventing sperm from reaching the ejaculated semen
Surgical sperm retrieval: a needle and syringe is used to collect sperm directly from the epididymis through the scrotum.
surgical correction
Infertility
mnx of sperm problems
- Surgical sperm retrieval
- Surgical correction
- Intra-uterine insemination
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Donor insemination
Infertility
what is intra-uterine insemination
collecting and separating out high-quality sperm, then injecting them directly into the uterus to give them the best chance of success
Infertility
what is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
injecting sperm directly into the cytoplasm of an egg
These fertilised eggs become embryos, and are injected into the uterus of the woman
Infertility
what is donor insemination
sperm from a donor is another option for male factor infertility.
Male Factor Infertility
what does semen analysis examine
the quantity and quality of semen and sperm. It assesses for male factor infertility.
Male Factor Infertility
what clear instructions should be given when asking men to provide a sample
- Abstain from ejaculation for at least 3d and at most 7d
- Avoid hot baths, sauna and tight underwear during the lead up to providing a sample
- Attempt to catch the full sample
- Deliver the sample to the lab within 1h of ejaculation
- Keep the sample warm (e.g. in underwear) before delivery
Male Factor Infertility
factors affecting semen analysis and sperm quality and quantity
- Hot baths
- Tight underwear
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Raised BMI
- Caffeine
Male Factor Infertility
when is a repeat sample indicated
after 3 months in borderline results
2-4w with very abnormal results
Male Factor Infertility
what is a normal semen volume
> 1.5ml
Male Factor Infertility
what is a normal semen pH
> 7.2
Male Factor Infertility
what is a normal concentration of sperm
> 15 million per ml
Male Factor Infertility
what is a normal total number of sperm
> 39 million per sample
Male Factor Infertility
how much sperm is normally mobile
> 40%
Male Factor Infertility
how much sperm is normally active (vitality)
> 58%