Subfertility Flashcards
What are 4 key aspects of achieving fertilty?
- Ovum
- Sperm
- Fallopian tube
- uterus
What is subfertility?
- The failure to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intrcourse in the absence of known reproductibe abnormalities
- Affects 1 in 7 couples
Signs:
- woman > 35
- Infrequent/ no periods
- Pelvic infections
- Undescended testes
- Known reason (chemotehrapy/ radiotherapy)
How do you assess subfertility in females (History)?
- Ovulation : Menstrual regularity, ovulation awareness, PCOS, tyhroid or prolactinoma symptoms, weight changes, exercise
- Tubal disease : PID, pelvic surgery, ectopic pregnancy
- Endometriosis : Dysmenorrhoes, dyspareunia, dyschezia
- Previous contraception/ Obstertric history/ surgical/ medical illness/ Medicines/ cancer treatment
- Lifestyle: smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs, job
How do you assess male subfertility (History)?
- Sexual history: coital frequency, erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction
- Past medical illness (mumps), surgery (varicocele, hernia, hydrocele)
- Occupation, current medical illness (diabetes, hypertension), smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs)
How do you examine female subfertility?
-Smear/swabs :
- Speculum
- Vagina
- Cervix
- Bimanual:
- Uterus : position/mobility
- size/regularity
- Adnexal masses
- Tenderness
- TV scan generally done and superior
How is subfertily examined in males?
- Testis
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens may be absent - unable to carry the sperm
How do you investigate subfertility in females?
- Semen assay
- Ovulation
- Tubal patency
- Check for endometriosis
- Uterine patholofy
- Check rubella status/ chlamydia screening/ cervical smear
How do you evaluate/ investigate male partners (subfertility)?
- Check semen volume (ml)
- Sperm concentration (15 (12-16) = low)
- Progressive sperm motility
- Sperm morphology
- Repeat Sperm assay after 3 months of the first test is abnormal - sperm cycle ~ 3 months
- Repeat SA sooner if azoospermia or severe OA
- Screening for anti-sperm antibody not offered
What is azoospermia?
- when there are no sperm in the ejaculate
- Obstructive vs Non-obstructive
- FSH/LH
- Testosterone
- Prolactin
- Karyotype and Cystic Fibrosis
- Scrotal/trans-rectal scan
- Y micro-deletion
How do you investigate ovulation in subfertility?
TVS :
- Predictive = developing follicle. Will see a LH surge.
- Confirmatory = Collapsed follicle = progesterone tested on day 21
Tubal patency :
- Low risk:
- HysteroSalpingoGraphy
- OPD
- Cavity
- Level of block
CONS:
- Irrradiation
- Discomfort
- ## False positivesHysteroContrastSynography
Transvaginal USS
No irradiation
OPD
Alternative to HSG
Cavity less clear
What is high risk tubal patency?
- Laparascopy and Dye
- More information
- Adnexae
- Endometriosis
- Treatment
- Morbidity
- Discomfort
What is the initial advice given to couples?
- Age dependent
- Increase frequency of intercourse:
- 2-3 days per week
- 5 days before up to ovulation day
- LH kit/ BBT no use (stressful intervention)
- Healthy lifestyle :
- optimise weight/ healthy diet
- No smoking
- Limit alcohol intake
- Folic acid around conception time
- Continue up to 12 weeks
- 0.4 or 5 (for some) mg generally
MALE
- Measures to reduce scrotal temp :
- Loose fitting underwear
- Avoid hot baths
- Laptops
Zn/Se/Omega 3/ Vit E
What is the treatment pathway (Primary care phase)?
Treatment pathway (Primary care)
Primary Care Phase
Patients/CoupIe present With infertility problems
[1]
GP Assessment and Advice
GP to inform patient of access criteria for NHS funded assisted conception.
[2]
Investigations and tests completed as necessary.
(Refer to proforma on page 8 of this document).
[3]
Refer for advice
- Baseline FSH & LH/ Mid-luteal progesterone
- Prolactin/ TSH, free T4/ Testosterone, SHBG
- Chlamydia/ Rubella screen/ Cervical smear
- Advise on funding criteria
- Advise both couple should attend the clinic
What is the secondary care treatment pathway?
Treatment pathway (Secondary care)
Referral received — accepted/rejected
[41
First out-patient appointment— both partners should attend
Additional investigations!LaparoscopyfHSG/repeat sperm tests
Follow up appointment
Rejected —
back to GP
Endometriosis
Laparoscopy
Tubal
Tubal
Surgery
Male Factor
Ovulation
Unexplained
Clomifene or
Tamoxifen
*POF Primary Ovarian Failure
Further investigations
- HSG/TVS
- Laparoscopy (if indicated)
- Repeat SA/Endocrine/ Scan Scrotum/Karyotype (if indicated)
- Review in a few weeks to plan a definitive mgt
How is male subfertility managed?
Management of male subfertility
Idiopathic
Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Lifestyle
Antioxidants: Vitamin E, Selenium,
Glutathione, Zinc (Wellman/menovit)
Male factor fertility problems
bstruceve
Surgery
I to
If no pregnancy with azoospermia, bilateral tubal occlusion or 2 years’ infertility and the woman is aged 23-
39 years offer I cycle
of IVF/ICSI
* availability/patient choice
(IUI not recommended
By NICE 2013)